The anatomy of a motorcycle gearbox.

Take a look inside a modern motorcycle gearbox and see how it works.

[@BhindiBhaji888]

This taught me so much and the camera work and expletives were funny as. 😊

[@xxxxSHADOWxxxxxX]

This is such a comprehensive video, very well done. Thankyou

[@markdoolan7282]

You did great mate , for what it’s worth i watched to the end and I’m glad i bothered to invest this little piece of my life in your tutorial on gearboxes of motorcycles. Mandatory viewing for any young budding motorcycle mechanic or late bloomer such as myself who just wants to have a general wider understanding of these things.

[@jordanreese1450]

THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING!!!!! You did awesome and the commentary is amazing. Thanks from America! Where all the automatic cars are! 😂👍🏾

[@philipchard7596]

As a retired mechanic I would like to say I always enjoy your videos, and don’t be so hard on yourself as it’s very good hands on explanation far better than classroom and books. I think you do a sterling job and some of your expressions make me laugh because I say the same sometimes.wishing you well top man😁👍🏍🇸🇪🔨🔨🔨🔨🪛🔧

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

You are very welcome, thank you for the positivity it really really means a lot 😁

[@flexjay87]

You need not apologize for providing information, to those who learned something from your video, whether the filming was perfect or not. Job well done, i think, cuz i learned something that , i did not know before :)

[@stevewalden3814]

Thank you for posting this video. Very clear and very helpful for my understanding.

[@paultrainer4560]

At this point, even when you follow ALL instructions, have the repairs completed and in the testing of the repair, it will be "logical" to understand why things are built like they are. Thank you for an excellent video. Greatly appreciated.

[@tinutifriulano4576]

Super excellent. The delivery was genuine and REAL! So much appreciated. The bit of “waffling” at the end when trying to figure out what gear was being selected could easily have been corrected by simply looking at the diameter of the gear on the output shaft (larger diameter is smallest gear number, etc) But still a very effective video and I learned a lot. Your “common man” delivery was the best part! Loved the self deprecation; it shows your complete sense of security. You’re a gentleman and a scholar. KUDOS from Canada!

[@danielwoodhouse1870]

Another great video thanks Jim. I am an amateur home/hobbiest mechanic and I installed a replacement crankshaft in a GSXR-600 SRAD. Certainly not an economical decision but was a good way to practice and learn. It was interesting to see an expert take apart one of these and explain the gearbox side of things. Love these. Thanks so much.

[@hlpang1075]

Thank you. The part about dog design and how the shifter fork got bent was enlightening

[@CormacBoyle83]

Great Video, learnt alot and found it easy to follow. Please do a full engine rebuild series.....

[@spidiq8]

Thankyou so much for posting this, no apologies for waffling necessary, I do that on my own channel so I know it feels like you're meandering off the point. Most importantly though, this is one of the best and clearest explanations of the operation of a motorbike / sequential box I've ever seen and your explanations are perfectly clear, it's also given me an ahhhhhh, that's why, moment after seeing a multi plate clutch and output shaft on an f1 engine that looked exactly like a motorbike clutch and the construction vs a car box also explains why motorbike gearboxes are so compact compared to car ones as well. Been a subscriber for a while and can I say, bravo for struggling to film this on your own while doing the fiddly stuff, I for one, would be delighted to see more in depth ones like this and it's helped me understand do much more about motorbike gearboxes and I thought I had a fairly good idea of the workings already, huge thumbs up here.

[@donski8687]

Best video I have ever seen on gearbox operation .. thanks

[@martindavies8326]

I Have work on car gear box’s many times, but it looks like a motorcycle gear box is a lot simpler, well explained, looks straight forward to me, l would have no problem now that you have shown me how a motorcycle gearbox works in fixing mine should the need arise. Cheers mate ⚙️🔩🔧👍

[@8052royc]

I have always been confused how they work BUT I did manage to follow you. Thanks.

[@heathy912]

Taught me quite a bit with that, i'll have an understanding what happens every time i flick that lever now! Cheers. Saw the video was nearly 35 mins long and didn't think i'd watch the whole thing but was hooked! Good stuff, well explained.

[@martingallagher7217]

Well explained, some bike have a tendency jumping out of gear, now we know why and how,great.

[@TusarKantiNanda]

Thank you so much man for explaining things so nicely. Don't worry about the waffling, your message was clear, we get it. I would mention that I am having 2nd gear pulling out on my TNT 600i for more then a year now and I was looking for a good video which may explain the issue and today I find out this video which did a great job explaining the stuff. Thanks again and keep up the good job.

[@alextyllis1944]

Honestly best video I've found on how a motorbike gearbox works. Really like how you explain things, even though you did it in your own funny and imperfect way.

[@Bengismo]

Great video mate, well explained. You obviously know what your doing and we all appretiate the effort to produce something like this. No need to insult your own video or say we would have to be really interested to watch it at all. you did a good job and made the extra effort to show how it fits together and to carefully choose your words. Awesome.

[@bonferoni6664]

Awesome video! This should be the standard reference link in any forum discussing motorcycle gearboxes.

[@martyniner8893]

Great video Jimmy! Made perfect sense! Now I know what’s going on in my 84 GS550! Thanks bud!

[@jothamkeller7227]

Absolutely loved this video!! Wish you waffled more. Thanks so much!!! Been trying to figure out the gear box setup

[@rakeshmd86]

Wow!!! That was such a nice explanation. Thank you so much James.

[@ApalconJudo]

It's a little complicated but like the way you handle the explanation and showing various examples of good and bad dogs; and, good and bad shift forks. Thank you for taking the time to put this together and sharing!

[@mranthonye]

More of these videos please. Nice to have you back.

[@gabetower]

Love your channel. I know where I'll be getting my project tutorials from now on.

[@mariuspike]

You did very well! Now I know what happens when i changes gears on my bike! Many thanks!

[@24auhr]

Well done James , i recently had an issue with my gear selector shaft , you just totally explained what was happening ! it had to have been one of the two springs you pointed out in this video , thank you

[@rsbharley4766]

Excellent video Jim, lots of great info. Thanks for taking the time to share. Cheers

[@atl964]

Thanks for making the video. Helped me understand what going on in there.

[@franchizai]

Gonna assembly my gear now, you managed to completely demystify the subject

[@leonapplewhaite879]

Great video explaining how this works. Thanks for taking time to show us.

[@98SmithSteve]

Thanks for this. I've seen a few explanations but this is the first time it's actually clicked and I can properly understand what's going on. The waffling is all good - it gives the viewer time to process what you're saying at the same time you're thinking about it.

[@rosspownall2810]

Excellent video! As said by others, no need to apologise for the waffling, clarity of point makes for better understanding

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thanks for being so positive it's really appreciated :)

[@southernseclusion9525]

I got it! Great video about the mysteries of the gearbox. I even got my wife to watch it and understand why she needs to rock her bike to select a gear, sometimes. Really enjoy yr videos thanks for sharing

[@wreckingrampage2576]

I really appreciate this video im learning how too build bikes and this is very well put together in terms of explaining thank you very much

[@Paul_Davies77]

Excellent video Jim. I’ve watched others and kind of got where they were going with their explanations but now thanks to yours I do understand it :)

[@testingtimes7924]

I love your videos Jim. They are so informative. I couldn't care less about the quality of the camera work. I think that you have done a great job working single handed. I have learned so much from your video's. Please keep them coming.

[@superbikesrule6012]

Nicely done! I wondered how the mechanics look inside but I was afraid to take my bike apart. This is very close to that experience. Cool! Thx

[@bikenavbm1229]

dont worry about a little waffle you do have a nack of demonstrating how things work I have an idea about most things but always learn something thanks as always.

[@waynep4256]

Thank you for talking us through this and the causes. 😊👍🍺

[@kiss-shoto5637]

Thanks so much for your video this wasn’t a crappy video, and your waffling made find out why my bike went out of gear, will be pulling it apart to try to fix it, thank you for this video!

[@rumblefx0]

Excellent video, thanks a lot, this seriously demystified a lot to me!

[@markharrison1698]

Another great insight James, can't wait for the next one!

[@marakji1]

James what a great job explaining gears, it totally made sense very helpful covered lots of points you are from one of the best who have made gearbox easy to get.

[@tonyjeffery3]

Thanks Jim,,,,, great explanation for how the gear box operates,

[@DarkQuester]

Great video. Your explanations are clear and the "waffle" is very useful information to help understand how the gearbox works! Keep up the good work.

[@Dumdm]

I cannot agree more with spidiq8. Thanks for posting this excellent video!

[@kshitijkumar9094]

Excellent! That's the info I was looking for to restore my old bike. Cheers m8 and Thank you

[@jcalamusa1122]

Great job explaining the principles!

[@markmcneil2553]

Thanks for your advice today.....also a top video ! Keep them coming !!

[@ThomasMoore.1]

Great video. Very enjoyable to watch. Thanks

[@bowlerhatman1]

Fascinating, like being back at school but much more interesting.! Keep them coming Jim... 👍

[@andygorst3574]

Waffle is my first language and I understood everything you said. Previously I thought that motorbike gearboxes operated using magic and trickery but I was wrong. Keep waffling cos you're educating me(and that's not an easy task by any means)Thanks!

[@jpvSoccer]

Outstanding; thanks a ton :)

[@choppsie]

Really useful, thank you for making this video, I learnt a lot

[@lewismcrae4271]

Excellent video very well said now I will have a look at mine I’m thinking a bent sellector fork I have a 75 z1 900 Kawasaki thanks

[@MrQazy]

I just had 10 "aah so thats why is says and or does like that" moments. Thank you very much for the video.

[@DonPedro6901]

The best explanation "how it works". And the most important was for me why it is sequential and what has the main influence on it :-) @30:00 Gears from left to right: 2-6-3-4-5-1

[@jonathanbonnett9456]

It’s welcome information, I have to do a gearbox rebuild for my 94 AT 😢

[@447andrew]

Enjoyed that. Very interesting. Look forward to seeing the next vid.

[@Bill-up9xw]

Great videos and extremely informative! Man I now know a hell of a lot more than I did 34.43 minutes ago. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and keep posting, we'll all keep watching

[@anthonywright5799]

I don't know where your workshop is, but, you got lovely bird song coming from outside

[@subpardave2727]

Fascinating, thanks James!

[@zambam3]

I learned quite a bit, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@Aleksandar11351]

Great video as always!!! Thank's.

[@iandouglas6925]

very helpful big thanks - clearest yet!

[@ZAMsChannel]

Nice video, Jim. Also did some videos by myself on motorcycle gearboxes, but in German language. :-) Unfortunately I could not show a damaged one, this is what makes your video most interesting.

[@patrickkelly3085]

Great videos Jim, your explanations are fantastic! excellent channel thanks for taking the time and all the one handed wrenching!

[@markbteeps]

Even with the waffle that was really interesting and taught me loads, thanks!

[@AlexM-600rr]

You're an artist! Esteem for you and your work! have the knowledge and experience that you would have a dream

[@thomasgessner]

Great explanation, fun to watch and good insight into why gearboxes fail. Thanks for the vid!

[@dirtdrift4458]

It's actually a pretty good explanation mate

[@dirtdrift4458]

Regarding syncros

[@Perleques]

Great video and great explanation! Thanks

[@themuz3]

really interesting vid. thanks soo much for taking your time to post

[@josephriley4356]

Amazing tutorial, you are awesome.

[@rikkiliddle5616]

Very informative and a great help

[@memybikeni9931]

I can see clearly how these selector forks get bent now, I was wondering. I am convinced I have a bit of fork, tooth or dog rattling around in my CB500 as I get a very occasional clunk clunk clunk noise while running and in gear, so I assume something getting picked up and churned about. I stripped my bikes spare engine so very familiar with it, so I’m going to have a go and see if I can identify my issue. Thanks for a great upload, you really know your stuff.

[@TheBlibo]

Hi Other than the syncro hubs the other main difference is that with most bike gear boxes drive goes in on one shift and out on the other with most car or truck boxes drive goes in through the first shaft and out of the third shaft with the second or lay shaft running parallel to the first and third shafts Just love gear boxes especially the fuller Eaton road rangers found in heavy trucks Keep up the good work

[@nicksillis4603]

Nice and very interesting video!!

[@hamkimj65]

Great explanation of how an motorcycle gear box works. But the explanation of car gear box and synchromesh was a bit off as they too are constant mesh. The synchromesh mechanism assists the shift by essentially lining up the dogs by making the hub and gear rotate at the same speed. This is especially useful when shifting from e.g. 5th to 2nd gear, with very different ratios. This is possible in a car but not on a bike, which as you say is sequential, which is why synchronization is not required, as you can only shift to the next gear up or down e.g. to a gear with a ratio close to the one currently engaged.

[@maffysdad]

25:00 in when you started to explain what mechanically caused the fault was really interesting. I'd learnt from other videos how the motorcycle gearbox worked, which was a lesson in itself as in 30yrs on the road I don't recall giving it a second thought as to why motorcycles go 1N2345 while a car can go into anything, yet I use both! But the explanation you gave made perfect sense. In my head I'm trying to figure out how the fault began, would you consider this as unfortunately bad luck, or maybe a mechanical/design fault, or as I consider it, a rider 'gear change control' issue, eg. the rider slamming through the gears, keeping the high revs and declutching to quick? It's certainly made me consider letting the revs drop and selecting and declutching smoother...

[@apf14378]

Hey, I do think it was a very good explanation indeed!, great job!

[@danspence2848]

Sir you are a godsend. I'm a self taught mechanic, only transmissions I've rebuild have been an XT 350 Yamaha, ts 185 Suzuki, and a KTM excf 350. Been rebuilding a taken apart 1994 gsxr 750 and I've had it running great, but today while warming it up, (haven't ridden yet, still rebuilding brakes) I tried putting it in first with clutch in, and something in the trans locks up, shuts it down, tried neutral to second same thing. Wasn't sure I should take it all apart as it seems something has gone wrong on the transmission. Now I'm definitely sure I can handle it, the parts are so similar to other bikes just slightly different. Having your videos on this trans and engine build I think I'll take it on and figure out what's happened. If you happen to see this comment any ideas what would cause a trans to lock up and shut the bike down if a gear is selected and clutch is in but runs fine in neutral? Thanks love your videos!

[@TimsterC]

Waffle or not, at least I understand how my gearbox works now. Thanks for the video.

[@anurag77719]

awesome video!!! Video request: slipper clutches

[@ringspanner]

Nice one James, now I understand, having stiff sticky shift probs on my GSX 1400. Found a company that does undercutting here in Melbourne, which looks like an option other than new replacement strait dogs. As for waffling, I quite like the odd waffle :)

[@onwheels8232]

the car transmission it's exactly like the motocicle transmission but with the syncronisors. all the gears are in contact with each others but the one that are on the left and right of syncronisor are not locked to the shaft. the syncronisor is locked on the shaft and when you shift him on the left and right you select eather first ore second gear, third or forth gear, fifth or sixth and so on. the reverse gear is located on a third shift and is not syncronized. the job of the syncronisor is to get the primary and the secondary shaft on the same speed.

[@kenbooth7343]

Very good video. I am trying to refit the housing that holds the selectors onto the gears. My gears are in the other housing ?

[@rekok2011]

very well explaned...

[@danielfarmer2809]

good video thanks for the effort

[@shaneburesh9173]

Amazingly great content!!!!

[@andy007watson]

great video. waffles are the best bits

[@jonnymckeever]

Excellent stuff, thank you. I'm a novice tinkerer and last year took out the gearbox from my ´88 GSXR750 (Slingshot) as it was jumping out of gear. Trouble is once I got in there I didn't really know what sort of wear I was looking for, lost heart and passed it over to my mechanic for diagnosis and reassembly. Now it makes perfect sense! Considering the amount of time it takes to get inside the engine would you generally recommend replacing drum, forks and gears while you're at it, or would you replace only the parts that showed visual wear to save on costs? Seems like replacing the forks and anything with worn dogs would be the minimum you'd want to do. Are the drums pretty rock solid or do they sometimes fail too? Thanks again, I agree that the waffling just gives the viewer time to process the new information! Keep it coming. Cheers, Jonny

[@coffeexmachina4376]

Thank you!! Great video!

[@chrisrag1346]

Yep that did make sense and was very interesting 👍

[@MarkSmith-jz4lo]

Great video 'Welsh Bloke'

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

You are very welcome "Fat Bloke" we really must try and catch up this summer 😀

[@digitaldazz]

Brilliant, thank you so much.