Downshifting from 5th gear

jmcgill · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:35 pm Post subject: Downshifting from 5th gear

The only way I can get m GT185 to downshift from 5th gear is to not use the clutch. When I'm in 5th and I pull in the clutch, the pedal won't move and I cant downshift. When I just step on it without the clutch, it goes right into 4th. This seems very bad for the tranny, if you ask me.....

I'm assuming I've got something bad wrong with the transmission or an improperly adjusted clutch at the very least.....any ideas on how I can get it properly adjusted?

Steve Searles · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:51 pm Post subject: GT185

The classic shift forks are bent or gear dog ears are broken or worn. Have you ever split the cases on a GT185 before?? You may just become an experienced motorcycle mechanic. Good luck and get the manual. I put 5th gear in one of my Suzukis many years ago.

jmcgill · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject:

Great....looks like I've got a GT185 for sale now. I liked that little bike too.

Looks like I'm going to start looking into a bigger model.

dorT500 · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:27 pm Post subject:

C'mon...

...do it ....it is a two stroke motor....does not get much simpler. You could take it apart on a coffee table( a garage coffee table) You don't even have to take the motor completely apart...you are just going for the bottom end. Just check for parts availablity first. If you ever had to take it apart and put it back together again..... you could probably do it in less than two hours...maybe three. Good Luck in whatever you do. I am sure whatever decision you make..will be the right one.

jmcgill · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:41 am Post subject:

As of right now, it is working. I did another clutch adjust and really took out the slack in the clutch cable, and magically, it seemed to be working again....and moving with more "pep". I think I just had the clutch badly, very badly, adjusted.

If it continues bad, I'll probably take it apart as the wife has forbidden another motorcycle right now.

Steve Searles · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:48 am Post subject:

Wife? Forbidden? We discussed that in another thread. Anyway, No influence here but the GT185's that I had would barely hold 60 mph in a head wind. Not really an every day all around road bike, to me anyway. (I think I have a lot of opinions, come to realize.)

jmcgill · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:56 am Post subject:

Totally agree. Mine barely holds 60 in a head wind too. I'm not to the point in my riding ability where I feel comfortable going over 65, especially on Interstate 95.

I love the old 2 stroke, and I'll hold on to it for a while, I guess. Even if I went bigger, it would probably just be to a T500 or a GT750...that way I could have highway speeds AND 2 stroke! Very Happy

fasthonda · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject: down shifting

Since your trans is fully synchro a downshift without clutch is no big deal I would just enjoy the bike and start looking for something else as 1 bike is never enough