KDXRIDER.NET

Hey guys!

I was gifted (a Buddy passed on) a KDX200, 1989, and with a little patience I got it running and riding! The only problem it has is that it''s hard to shift into 2nd. At a stand-still, I can hold in the clutch and reach down and pull the shifter up and attain 2nd - and it'll stay there. Easily shift to 3rd, 4th, etc... IF I start in 1st, and then pull in the clutch, I can eventually get 2nd (it seems that there can't be any friction on the gears - like the motor is revving right between up and idle). I've never fooled with gears nor splitting the cases but I Imagine that this has to be something to do with either the gears themselves or the shifting forks. Would you more "seasoned" Vets give me a bit of advice on what the probable culprit is? Sometimes, trouble-shooting involves looking at the obvious or most common reasons for the failure, and then systematically delving deeper. How should I attack this problem?

Thanks for any help!!!!

KXDude4
Scott

Start by changing the oil. A lot of us use trans fluid for hard shifting bikes, but use any non energy conserving oil.

If the oil change doesn't help then unfortunately sounds like probable shift fork issue. You can start by pulling the right side cover and checking the shift detent pawl/spring, shifter and return spring. (just search for shift return spring) If that all looks good then your next step is to split the cases

kxdude4 wrote:Hey guys!

I was gifted (a Buddy passed on) a KDX200, 1989, and with a little patience I got it running and riding! The only problem it has is that it''s hard to shift into 2nd. At a stand-still, I can hold in the clutch and reach down and pull the shifter up and attain 2nd - and it'll stay there. Easily shift to 3rd, 4th, etc... IF I start in 1st, and then pull in the clutch, I can eventually get 2nd (it seems that there can't be any friction on the gears - like the motor is revving right between up and idle). I've never fooled with gears nor splitting the cases but I Imagine that this has to be something to do with either the gears themselves or the shifting forks. Would you more "seasoned" Vets give me a bit of advice on what the probable culprit is? Sometimes, trouble-shooting involves looking at the obvious or most common reasons for the failure, and then systematically delving deeper. How should I attack this problem?

Thanks for any help!!!!

KXDude4
Scott

pull the clutch case cover and look inside. shifting problems are usually very easily seen once that cover is off.

it's a very simple mechanism to understand, once it's in front of you. i would imagine a problem with one of these:

shifting drum bolt is loose
shifting shaft is bent
shifting selector (pushes the drum up/down) spring is worn/broken or the assembly is jammed up with clutch pack material

changing to cheap ATF fluid should do a world of good for your shifting. if that doesn't do it, toss the bike on the side, pull the cases, and look inside.

Thanks Guys!!!
The fluid is very new and I already do use ATF! (My KX250, 97, is still my favorite bike, and ATF has always been the call for the grabby clutch! :-) ).
I need to get a little time from work, but I'll check all the things advised... I hope it isn't a case splitting issue although I guess ya gotta learn and do it sometime, huh?!?! :-)
THANK YOU to all for giving me a starting point!!!!!