Removed the cover and the gears do appear to have a bit of wear, but it's not like they're completely rounded off or anything. Doesn't seem significant enough that the kick mechanism wouldn't catch. I searched around on the forum and it seems that oil/spring play a large part to this problem. I usually put a liter of 20W50 oil in and it works fine. It has slipped a few odd times in the past, but never more than once in like 100 kicks (probably when I was due for an oil change). Perhaps the oil getting really dirty played a large part? A combination of a long ride and contaminated lower end? Still, I wonder why it wouldn't catch once I'd changed the oil...
So.. Do these gears look busted? There is a bit of wear, but it doesn't look like the gears are stripped. It actually looks way worst in the pictures below than in person as the worn bits are really shiny, but when one puts them together, it doesn't look like it could “miss” unless the spring was weak. What would cause the wear? Bad kicking technique? Prolonged water contamination/dirty oil? What are my options? Replacing the spring? Changing the oil again and hoping for the best?
Pardon the low focus quality... Pics taken with my phone:
Case looks clean:
The local mechanics say they could make new notches in the mechanism (they've done it on a CR before), but that seems a bit drastic for now... However, if the gears are truly busted, then it might be a short-term solution (as I'm assuming those gears are hard to come by now for an E model). I have a strong feeling the spring might be the culprit. Or perhaps the contaminated lower end busted the gears? Is it possible for the spring to fall out of place while the cases are closed?
Bike is at the shop and I told them I'd decide what to do within two days. I figured KDXRider would give me some good leads.
