So it turns out that 6th gear on my recently acquired 04 GSXR 750 is gone. It basically free revs and grinds a bit when I try to use it. I discovered the issue my first time on it at Grattan this spring, but it didn't worry me too much at the time since I was riding in novice and really didn't have a serious need for 6th gear at the time. Since I was nowhere near the end of 5th gear at Grattan and the oil wasn't full of chips on the last service, I decided to leave it alone for the time being. The "problem" is that I got the bump to "I" on the very last session of that weekend. I returned to Grattan 8/26-27 for my first weekend in "I" and quickly discovered that my pace had increased significantly from my last outing, and that I'm now at the top of 5th gear at the end of the straight. By the end of the first day I realized that I need to address this sooner rather than later. I've done a bit of poking around on the interwebs, and from what I can see gear boxes seem to be a bit of an issue on these bikes. I was hoping to get some advice/recommendations/thoughts on what my best course of action might be on such an old machine. Am I best served by rebuilding the entire thing (trans), just repairing 6th gear, new or used parts, or maybe just throwing an entire used replacement engine assembly at it? My first inclination is to just replace the 6th gear parts, but I'm a bit reluctant based on learning that these transmissions may be the weak link. Also, like so many others here, I'm working on a fairly limited budget and don't really want to sink $2K into a transmission repair on bike that I just bought. Cheers!
I've been riding track for years in mid-upper intermediate, and have never needed 6th gear. OK, I used it on the back straight at Road Atlanta for about 2 seconds. Are you running stock sprockets? Maybe just adding a tooth to your front sprocket would be a cheap fix?
You may give these guys a call and see what advice they give you. A friend is sending them the transmission from his recently acquired '94 CBR900RR. http://www.aperaceparts.com/transmissions.html I use 6th at Grattan so I don't think you'll just want to limit yourself to 5th gear.
I actually considered that, and may still go that route. I'd like to have the problem corrected if it isn't too expensive. Thanks!
A very common problem with that generation GSX-R. I had the same bike and had the same problem occur, in addition to having a friend have the same problem as well. It will be cheaper to find a complete motor and transmission to swap it out than it will to have the transmission repaired.
I sorta thought that might be the case, but I would worry that by buying a used engine/trans assembly I run the risk of finding myself in the same predicament in the not too distant future due to trans problems seeming to be fairly common on these bikes. Thanks for the reply!
I have had 6 gsxr 600/750's that were the 2004-2005 model. Never had an issue with the trans and they were ride hard on the track and street. Not sure where you guys are getting the info about a common problem with the trans"s