Suzuki T500
- Thread starter stutrump
- Start date
SilverBullet
Well-Known Member
Clutch plates stuck together from sitting? Try shifting with the engine off.
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WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
Need more information. Does the shift lever move through it's normal travel or does it resist moving? Is there a clunk but then no take up?. Clutch plates stuck together will usually cause the engine to stall when shifting from neutral.
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
I had a spring break internally on my old VF750F Interceptor. This spring held the shifter paul against the shift drum, when it broke the paul dropped away from the drum leaving the bike stuck in whatever gear it was in before the spring broke (3rd gear in my case). When this happened to me, the shifter definitely felt different, moving too freely with no resistance.
Squibb
Well-Known Member
Whilst I can't speak for a T500, on later Suzukis your issue would suggest that there is a problem with the self centering mechanism on the gear shifter. Age, wear & tear or someone standing full weight on the shift lever are the usual reasons for this.
Hopefully it is just a simple spring that has failed, or is way too limp. The selector arm locates over pins in the selector drum cam plate - this has a centralising spring one end of which is retained in the crankcase. Pointless me talking pawl plates, thrust springs etc, this would need investigation by stripping back the LHS of the engine/gearbox. It's a simple enough job on most bikes, but you would need a workshop manual to clarify the procedure for a DIY fix.
Worst case scenario is a bent selector fork or damaged guide pin , but lets not go there for now.
Hopefully it is just a simple spring that has failed, or is way too limp. The selector arm locates over pins in the selector drum cam plate - this has a centralising spring one end of which is retained in the crankcase. Pointless me talking pawl plates, thrust springs etc, this would need investigation by stripping back the LHS of the engine/gearbox. It's a simple enough job on most bikes, but you would need a workshop manual to clarify the procedure for a DIY fix.
Worst case scenario is a bent selector fork or damaged guide pin , but lets not go there for now.
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I'd start by warming it up, shutting it off, then rolling it fore and aft with the clutch pulled to see if a sticky plate can be freed. Try dropping the clutch lever a few times while moving each way. (Engine off of course)
Nikolajsen
"Keep it simple"
Like others here, I don't think it is the cluth.
Then I would expect to hear some bad noise from the sprocket, when they try to engage without the cluth. (the gear lever can be moved)
WJBertrand and Squibb are on the correct path I think
There might ALSO be sticky cluth plate
Then I would expect to hear some bad noise from the sprocket, when they try to engage without the cluth. (the gear lever can be moved)
WJBertrand and Squibb are on the correct path I think
There might ALSO be sticky cluth plate
Squibb
Well-Known Member
I managed to find a parts diagram for a 1972 T500, although not the best quality image.
This is the shifter mechanism where I think you problem lies ............. https://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/1972-suzuki-t500/o/m139662#sch262375 Part 25 is the spring, but it could be damage to other aspects/parts in the self centering mechanism.
Good luck sorting this. They were a beast of a bike to ride, back in the day, so take care.
This is the shifter mechanism where I think you problem lies ............. https://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/1972-suzuki-t500/o/m139662#sch262375 Part 25 is the spring, but it could be damage to other aspects/parts in the self centering mechanism.
Good luck sorting this. They were a beast of a bike to ride, back in the day, so take care.
Thanks Squibb. That will, I'm sure be very helpful. Will try to investigate more on Monday. I don't think it's the clutch either and the gear lever itself moves as it always has..it just doesn't engage a gear (1st or 2nd). Here's hoping I can fix it myself. It's a fun bike to ride and usually gets a few positive comments off other bikers.
Squibb
Well-Known Member
Talking to a buddy of mine who is well into classic bike resto, he reckons the fix, if it is a shifter issue, may not be quite as straightforward as I would have hoped, as the LH sprocket cover will reveal little it seems.
There is a full & better quality parts book available on www.gt500.org.uk.
Given that none of us are experts on here, have you tried dropping the question onto the Facebook Group. They seem very active & helpful: -
.................... https://www.facebook.com/groups/suzi500/
There is a full & better quality parts book available on www.gt500.org.uk.
Given that none of us are experts on here, have you tried dropping the question onto the Facebook Group. They seem very active & helpful: -
.................... https://www.facebook.com/groups/suzi500/