Suzuki GT550 shifter

[sugi-san]

Hi, good day to everyone.
I've recently encounter this problem to my motorcycle.
I'm looking for help to figure out this problem.

The motorcycle is in great condition, but I'm unable to shift from 2nd to 3rd or any higher gear (1st and neutral is OK!).
The shifter will not swing up after 2nd gear. I open the case on the right side of the engine and I dont see any broken piece or misalignment.

Could this be a bent fork?

Thanks

Sugiharto

[Alan H]

Is this with the engine running or stopped?
If the engine is stopped, it may just be that the gears are misaligned slightly and won't go into mesh. Try moving the rear wheel a bit and try again as you try to shift into other gears.
Can you actually drive the bike forward with the engine running in first gear?
Does the clutch free/drive?
What's the oil like in the gearbox?

[sugi-san]

Is this with the engine running or stopped?
If the engine is stopped, it may just be that the gears are misaligned slightly and won't go into mesh. Try moving the rear wheel a bit and try again as you try to shift into other gears.
Can you actually drive the bike forward with the engine running in first gear?

The gear switch from neutral to 1st and 2nd only while riding and sitting with the engine shut off.
The motorcycle still runs on the road, but only with 1st and 2nd gear. The gear shifter will not physically swing up on 2nd gear to go to 3rd.

Does the clutch free/drive?
Clutch is fully engaged when I switch the gears.

What's the oil like in the gearbox?
I use 10w40 and just recently change the oil.

Thank You for your reply Alan

[Coyote]

You didn't say if it used to be OK or has it been this way since you bought it?
If it has been this way since you got it, this is the most likely culprit. Put the bike in neutral. Remove the clutch cover and look at this gear and paw. The gear and paw must look exactly like this in neutral. If it's out a tooth, there's the problem. You can fix this situation easily. Just pull the forward most gear toward you and align the gears to look like this -- then just push it back in proper position.
It's been a long time since I ran into this. I can't remember if it is necessary to remove the clutch assembly and primary gear, shift lever or both. Let us know what you find!

[sugi-san]

The bike was fine when I got it last year.
I use it to commute everyday throughout the summer.
Close to the end of the season I did an oil change (10w40) and replace the clutch cable (with original part).

When I purchase the bike it also comes with a donor bike 1973 GT550 (only missing carb)
Yesterday I open the right side cover of both bikes to compare, because the donor bike have no problem shifting gears.
All the orientations are the same, the location of gear and paw are as shown in your picture. I also didn't find any broken piece.
The only difference, my running bike will not turn the drum to 3rd gear.
It looks like something fall out of place and not allowing the drum to travel.

I'll remove the clutch assembly today and will share more findings.

Thank You

[Coyote]

I hope it's not a broken shifter fork. Fixing that would require splitting the cases.

[sugi-san]

Hi,
After digging into different things, the problem is in the clutch.
Did some adjustments and it is working now, a little bit sticky but I'll make it through the summer.

Thank You for the help.

[GT750Battleship]

Good,sounds like you've fixed it ? I had a "bent" selector once on a GT750,same problems,go to third & no further! Had to stop & start all over,sometimes got lucky & made the changes all the way through to 5th!! Some people make the mistake of taking out the "wrong" bolt in the crankcase to drain the oil, the one set at an angle is the "detent bolt" with spring & ball inside it to prevent the gear change drum from turning to far around internally,this is o.k.,providing you don't move the gear lever whilst this bolt is out of the crankcase!!!....
Regards,
gt750battleship.