when you say your chain is plenty tight ???
how much free play do you have in your chain ?

 

That sounds just like how my '00 used to act when 2nd finally gave way.

It is repairable, just costs a bit in labor. From memory they have to pull the engine out and crack it open to get to the gear box.
I'm no mechanic, this is what I was told, I traded my ol' girl in before I had to fix it.

 

thats what mine did when 2nd went

 

What I mean by plenty tight is not loose enough to slip. It has a little slack in it like it is supposed to. I justed used the chain slip as an example because that is exactly what it feels like.

 

yep, that sounds like your gearset is disengaging under a load.

 

exploding gearbox

Sorry to say but full gearbox rebuild required, if you wait too long your gearbox will turn to scrap, like mine did. needed output shaft, selectors and six new gears !

 

Sorry to say but full gearbox rebuild required, if you wait too long your gearbox will turn to scrap, like mine did. needed output shaft, selectors and six new gears !

can someone say.... UPGRADE TIME!!!

 

Hate to make is sound trivial, but have you checked the chain condition? Is is moving freely? Any binding? Appropriate amount of slack WITH RIDER ON?

 

My mate had a 99 R1, did the exact same thing, stripped the gearbox and found the 2nd gear to be stuffed, one tooth broke off BUT luckly fell through to the sump.

Also check the other gears.....

The general concensus is 2nd gear goes due to excessive wheelies as people clutch in 2nd and that overloads the 2nd gear, old problem on those bikes.

 

I need to check my chain again, I never clutch this bike, as I am not a wheelie freak, only a very high speed freak. My chain seems to look good but I think it is to tight. How much slack should I have in it. How much guestimate on the price to fix second gear?. Thanks guys for your help.

 

On my 2000 in the service manuel says 1.51 to 1.92 inch i believe dont know if it would be the same for a 99.

 

My mate did it in my garage, he has never worked on a 4-stroke let alond Superbike motor and it was a piss job, getting the motor out and in is the two man job. I watched, easy if you have mechanical know how.

If you chain is to tight you will end up damaging the bearings on the drive shaft if you leave it like that, short term you cock the chain up quickly.

 

do i need the up and down cut on a street bike or is the race cut enough?

 

Up and down is always best. Not sure if it is available on all years though. From what I understand it's done by the factory on 04 and up.

I'd call APE or Falicon to see what is available for your year.

 

It might be quite awhile before I get mine done. I will sell it or let it sit a few years before I pay that much to get it fixed. It is nice when we all pay several thousand dollars for our bikes and then have these problems and the manufacture knows it is their problem but they won't fix it, they say it is the way you are riding it. These are supposed to be sport bikes, I mean what are we supposed to do putt around on them and not use the power they give us?

 

Do it yourself save about $800. get A repair manual, an search this forum, all the know how is here on this website seek an Ye shall find.

 

I took the bike out today and it is getting impossible to shift into any gear, so I am selling it and buying a gixxer. I know it isn't a yamaha but yamaha won't fix their problems so I am going to where there seems to be less problems.:finger:fork. I feel sorry for guys with a bike payment who have these problems.

 

should get a honda, theyre known for their silky smooth gearboxes

 

I am pretty much open to any bike I just want a dependable one. I have nothing against a CBR, I ride with a buddy who has an 04 f4I it runs ok but he got his a$* handed to him last night by a STOCK 02 gsxr 600. I love the zx9r for comfort but I hear they have the same tranny issues, and that is what I am wanting to avoid. The buddy with the 02 gsxr has over 21,000 miles on it and it has been an awesome bike. I want something I can ride every day with out having to fix melted wires or a junk tranny. Thanks for the luck I need it.

 

OK. Bottom line. Mechanical and Critical Issues for the 98-99 R1.

Are we done talking about how to fix this machine?

 

Yep, I knew how to fix it once I found the problem. Get 2nd gear replaced. Just didn't know people had to stop talking about bikes because we solved the problem. But if it is the bottom line I'm gone. SEE YA.

 

Don't have to stop talking about bikes, but this is not the "I am going to sell my bike" forum, or "every bike is better than what I got."

In order for the search to be of any use to anyone having the same problem in the future, we prefer to stay on topic in these areas.

If you would like, you can continue the general conversation in Off Topic, or this thread can be moved there.

 

To get back to the problem or solution ...
Is there any other product other that Yamaha stock parts to fix this problem, mabey some race or stronger upgrade to make it last hold and longer ?

 

listen...buy a clymer manual...buy the 70-80bucks in parts and fix it. R6's were know for this also from 99-02. You dont have to pull the motor. Take off your lowers and gas tank, and pipe header on back...stand the bike up at the 12oclock pos and secure it to your garage rafter. Pull the oil pan and presto there are the gears in your face. Follow the manual on how to pull and replace them(real easy) 2nd is connected to the same spline as 4th and 6th. Put it back together and enjoy your yammie. If you are going to opt for another bike try a honda 954 or 1000rr, faster than your R1 and bullet proof motors and engines. I fix these things for a living...stay away from anything starting with"zx"...ha esp the 9r...JUNK>>JUNK>>JUNK

 

what are all the parts you will need to get to replace the 2nd gear? mine seems to fall into this thread very well. it likes to slip from 2nd back into nuetral . i usually just by pass 2nd gear and go str8 into 3rd. also just traded my 95 CBR600 for the R1 1000. title for title so i felt i got a hell of a deal.

 

I have 6 buddies with gixxers and Two track race gixxers, the rest ride and NONE have had a problem yet. I am currently tearing my bike down. One problem already found is the little spring retainer inside the shift cover is broke. Still tearing it down to put new gears and shift forks.

 

I saw this thread and have to ask (since I just got my 1st Yamaha 2 months ago) are '02 R1s prone to this particular tranny issue?

 

Yes, i always short shift 2nd for that reason then let it have it in third. Second goes at around 20,000 miles on a bike thats been thrashed a bit and wheelied.

 

I wish i knew of a mechanic in my area that does side jobs in his garage. I have that second gear problem on my bike and am honest enough to admit that i would never be able to fix it on my own...

 

LET me just say I also have the 2nd gear bullshix and will never fix it until motor goes and I replace it,thats just the only way its worth fixing.:fork

 

Just wonder how bad this will eventually get...

 

Unfortunately, it will continue to get worse. Second gear will eventually break a locking dog or a tooth and you`ll have a very expensive bill.

 

i just figured that this was as bad as it would get. How would i know if the worst case scenario has happed already. Would it still be rideable?