Gearbox Worries - HELP!

[Mizatt]

My 2003 SVS is my first bike, I've put about 4000 miles on her since late August, and now have a total of about 14.5 k on her now. I changed the oil and filter at about 13k to a K & N filter and Castrol ActEVO oil.

Immediately following the oil change, I had no problems or anything whatsoever. Recently, I've noticed the shift action getting rougher. Last week, I was downshifting into second, and I guess I didn't get it all the way into gear. The clutch is all the way in (lever against the bar) and trying to push down to 2nd is making a grinding noise. After a few seconds, I stomped down and forced it into gear. This was going about 30 mph, coming to a stoplight.

Later on that week, I was once again downshifting and coming to a stop, and going into second gear, there is a clunking sound and a "snatching" feeling like the bike is lurching into gear. It does it occasionally going down to first gear as well. It doesn't do it in any other gears, no matter how high the engine speed. Going UP through the gears also has no problems.

I ALWAYS engine brake, I love it. Do I need to stop doing that? Whats going on? Did I damage my gears? Need to adjust my clutch? Try a different oil?

This is the first problem I've had with the SV and it has me freaking out! :sad: Guys I appreciate your help.

[Burst]

try different oil... the oil can make or break the smooth shifting. I use Amsoil or Motorex full synthetic. Both work great.

[SV650sk3]

Does it have problems downshifting while stopped? If not it could just be your technique. Try blipping the the throttle while you downshift if your aren't already. Also what level is your oil at? If you fill over the F----- line it can make it more difficult to downshift. You might try reducing the level to exactly halfway between F and L. I had problems just as you described when I overfilled once, but not the ginding noise. You may also want to try playing with the shifter alignment if it has been changed from the factory, and lubricate the shifter ball joints.

[Mizatt]

Thanks! I will check the oil level when I get home, and I will probably just change to a different brand when I have time this weekend.

Any other suggestions?

[burdman]

As embarassing as this is, hopefully it'll save you the same situation. I had a similar situation, though not a severe, the bike was impossible to get into neutral at a stop....

My '00 SV is my first bike as well, and I bought it used from a fairly experienced rider. I rode the bike and the clutch lever let out very early in the travel. Not knowing any better, I thought everything was normal, even though I've since ridden a few other bike's and never seen one that didn't let out near the end of the travel. But I just had it tuned up and in doing so had the clutch cable play adjusted. It's 100% different, and now lets out near the end of the travel and it goes into neutral without a problem. Turns out the clutch wasn't disengaging all the way because there was WAY too much play.

Just a thought, if you're not used to bikes you may not know that what the clutch was supposed to feel like. Hope that helps.

Nick