Random downshift problem on VFR750FP

Hi everyone,

I would be very grateful for any help on the following!

My VFR750 FP has developed a problem where it can sometimes be difficult to change down through the gearbox.

Symptoms: Sometimes when the clutch lever is pulled in the gear pedal requires a lot of force to change down. Once this happens a downshift is possible by either applying a greater force through the pedal (not nice!) or slipping the clutch with a few revs. Pumping the clutch lever does not help. Once the downshift has been made I can subsequently change up & down with no problems several times as easy as can be before the problem returns. I have noted:



The problem only happens when changing down.

Most of the time the problem is changing down from 6th-5th.

The problem can happen anytime during a journey (i.e. cold or hot) but most common after several motorway miles in top gear.



So far I have replaced the clutch master seals/spring/piston, the slave seals/spring (the piston did not look too bad) and hose. After this the change was good for a couple of days but within 50 miles the problem returned. Hence I am not sure whether the clutch hydraulics is to blame (especially given the problem can disappear after a difficult gear change), the clutch or even a gearbox issue.

I recently changed the engine oil – the gear change problem was present before & after this.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

You did the proper rebuilds, but i think there's some air trapped within the hydraulic system somewhere.

You could try bleeding the slave again after removing it from the cover and holding it fully retracted with a C-clamp...........but only after you do a quick bleed at the mc's banjo bolt first.

On the other hand, you might have some bent shift forks in the worst possible case.

 

Thanks - I'll try bleeding again.

 

Is the shift shaft damaged or bent? If the bike hit the ground at some point it is common for the shaft to be slightly damaged and cause shifting issues in specific gears.