Gen5 98 won't shift back to N or 1st

I have a 98 with about 23k on it. I do a considerable amount of city riding in the 5k I put on it last year. It seems in warmer weather, I'm having more difficulty getting it back into N much less 1st. It's getting embarrassing doing a shifter dance at a stoplight turning green. It's become a TINY sore-spot in the bike I love. I also notice that it will wind up in N or "between gears" I think between 3rd and 4th with no neutral light. Again an embarrassing blip instead of a launch...

"Shifter Dance": Tap on shifter, let clutch out & in, roll bike forward & back, looking at now green light, seeing a line of cars behind me, sweating & cussing, mysteriously clicking into N & 1st, launching...

Again, I bought this bike for it's praises and the fact that the Tokyo Police still use the 5Gen for policework day in and day out. Any ideas?

 

As a cheap fix try changing the oil/oil filter. If that doesn't fix it then try replacing clutch fluid and if that doesn't do it replace the clutch plates/springs.

 

Is the neutral switch not lighting up but bike os in neutral?

 

Yep. It sequences itself between 3rd and 4th. The neutral light is not illuminated. I would guess that it works off the shifter only in the N position... I'll try the fresh oil and filter since it's time and I have a filter handy but I'm still open to other theories: doohickey inoperative, gizmo out of adjustment or aliens in tranny.

 

If the neutral light doesn't even light up that makes me wonder if it's an issue with the clutch engaging system to begin with.

Have you looked at the service manual on this? You can download a free copy at http://vfrworld.com/forums/specifications/3161-downloadable-parts-catalogs-service-manuals.html

 

Neutral Light illuminates normally when actually in Neutral. Also, Shifts normally 1-N-2 and 4-5-6 as well as 6-5-4-3-2. Don't think it's a clutch issue. It almost feels like the shift lever isn't connected to anything but the return spring at those spots when it's happening. I sure hope it doesn't warrant surgery... Changed chain and gears 500 miles ago. Did it before and after. Stinkin' thing just did it again tonight. :crazy:

 

I'm having an issue with my 1999 gearbox slipping out of 5th gear. While not similar to your problem, I am inclined to think these problems are shifter related, not clutch related. I ordered a Factory pro-shift kit online (ridiculous prices) hoping this will solve the problem. I shifted with my hand without the bike running and noted that the shifter did not always rebound/reset after shifting. From what I could find on the internet, the shifting drum and spring are a common issue with this generation of VFR.

 

What you could do is when you change the oil go ahead and take the clutch case cover off and do an inspection. The manual will show you how to do it.

 

would look into the factory pro kit, takes ALL of the false neutrals out of the equation and makes shifting much more positive

http://www.factorypro.com/Prod_Pages/prodh91.html

 

i'm still not getting it-theres no neutral light between 3rd and fourth? Are you getting a false neutral between 3rd and 4th?

 

Based on his descriptions, yes, he is getting a false neutral between 3rd and 4th. I've run into this (a bit) on my '98. My current solution is to not shift through multiple gears while stopped, which you shouldn't be doing anyway). As your slowing down you should be shifting through the gears appropriate for your speed. It doesn't do you any good to be in 5th or 6th gear, almost to a stop, and needing to speed up to avoid a hazard.

-Jake