ST1100A Gear Selection Not Working.

[alans1100]

I went to the city om Wednesday morning and on the return trip I had a brief stop at the Northern end of the Burra bypass road.

Back on the road again and through the gears but wouldn't go into fourth nor would it go back into second.

First thing that came to mind was a clutch failure and at 218,500 km on the original clutch that would be top of the list. The next issue might have been a disconnect in the gear linkage but not knowing whether I would be able to stop or not I just continued on to home.

I now know that an indicated 5000 rpm equals 100 kph or there-a-bouts as well as a slight increase in fuel consumption. Navigating the lower speed turns let me know that the clutch was okay and that it was gear related.

Today I managed to get the bike in a position at home where it could go on the centre stand for a look see underneath and moving the gear shift pedal I noticed everything is working on the outside but nothing working on the inside.

Looking in the workshop manual if it's the gear linkage system then that cane be serviced with the engine in the frame so I might look into that on Sunday and see how easy it is to get in there.

[Brock]

Doubt its a clutch failure, as its easy to change gear without using the clutch.

Have a look at the rod ends of the shift linkage, the balls may need lubrication

[Nigel]

Doubt its a clutch failure, as its easy to change gear without using the clutch.

Have a look at the rod ends of the shift linkage, the balls may need lubrication



My words exactly............

[alans1100]

Have a look at the rod ends of the shift linkage, the balls may need lubrication

My words exactly............

Looks like you missed this bit

and moving the gear shift pedal I noticed everything is working on the outside but nothing working on the inside.

The shaft going into the gearbox does turn with the pedal movement so all outside linkages are ok.

Looks like the issue maybe internal

[Brock]

Hmm,

I think you may have broke something, I blame the french..

Its a problem I havent heard before, the answer will be interesting. Take pics

[alans1100]

The 1100 has been sitting in the drive waiting for me to take it over to Tammie's place so I can fix it in her garage.

Today I decided to at least make an effort and get the motor started even though it would be in gear and holding the clutch lever in. Side stand up and it was a no go on the start. Thinking the battery might be down on charge a little with all the low temps (-2C plus overnights) over the past few weeks I put the battery on charge and a few hours later it was all good.

Went to start the bike and still a no go. I know the bike has started in gear before but not now and the only thing I can think of is related to the neutral switch in the gear box. Both emergency stop and the clutch switches were ok when I got the bike back home earlier this month.

Not knowing how the switch works or it's location I'm wondering if it's possible for the switch to prevent the gears from changing.

[Yorkie]

Not sure about the 1100 but on 750's and old wings a spring loaded ball fits into a recess on cam, this would not lock the gears

[alans1100]

Not sure about the 1100 but on 750's and old wings a spring loaded ball fits into a recess on cam, this would not lock the gears

What ever has happened with the gear selection is somehow preventing the motor to turn/start. Both side stand and clutch switches were ok the day it was last ridden so it looks like I might have to work on it in the drive if I can't get it started.

[Williamson]

Not sure if the ST1100 and ST1300 gear lever mechanisms are similar ot not, not sure if this helps.

The ST13 has a series of rods that connect the gear change foot lever on the LH side of the bike, under the engine and gearbox to the the RH side of the bike.  Three rods from memory, with little knuckles which slip over a ball joint, and the rods have a female LH thread one end, a female RH thread the other.  Rotate the rod and it tensions the mechanism, or loosens - whatever is needed.  There's a 10mm (could be smaller) lock nut both ends.

Hmmm ........ hoping you can follow.

On the ST13, one of the rods came loose and the foot lever flopped around.  Lucky I was in third gear and I could get home okay.  Took about two hours of cussing and cursing, skinned knuckles, but I got it re-attached, tensioned and lock nut secured.

The rods looked some thing like this.


Checked Partzilla, could not find them.

[alans1100]

Thanks Michael but all the external linkages are ok and turn the shaft going into the gear box; it's either the internal linkages or worse in the gearbox.

[Williamson]

....... it's either the internal linkages or worse in the gearbox.

Oh dear!  That does not sound good.

[Yorkie]

I think you should be looking internally, item 7 on your diagram rotates 9 & 11 which are bolted into the end of the shift drum, this in turn moves the shift forks which rotate the shaft assembly units.

[alans1100]

Thanks Yorkie, that's what I was considering to be the likely issue and it looks like it's going to be a spare time project.

Just deciding whether to strip the bike and pull the motor out and replace things like swing arm bearings that have been on the bike since new.

[Yorkie]

Now you have the 13 is decision time on whether you repair this or save money and scrap it, tough choice