So the other day we had a GSX-R1100 M? N? in for a Flat-Rate Motorcycle Inspection.
The customer said the gear engagement was extremely stiff and asked us to check it out.
You know, we used to see this sometimes—oil-cooled bikes that wouldn’t shift up or down.
The cause turned out to be excessive backlash in the ratchet area at the tip of the shift shaft and the primary reduction gears.
It’s a rare problem, but I believe in mechanics, not magic.
(Note: leaving it alone won’t make the fairies fix it for you ★)
When I took it for a quick ride, the clutch wasn’t fully disengaging, so
These are really areas that should be part of the maintenance checklist.
Suzukis don’t leak much so we leave it alone, but Yamahas leak almost constantly—it’s a real problem.
Yeah! Not bad at all.
Yeah! Looks good ★
The difference between new and used is clear ★ Used ones are squishy, new ones are crisp and tight.
The best part was that there were no steps worn into the cylinder ★
When wear creates steps and the seal catches on them, it wears faster, and the piston gets pushed back and forth, causing it to wobble and go “click.”
But with oil pressure squeezing it, the steps get worse and worse until it’s shot ★
It feels great when everything moves smoothly like this.
We’ll take it for a test ride tomorrow and we’re done.
