Hi all. Newby with frozen gear selector on 1300 - anyone shed light?

[OlGeezer]

Hi all and thats to everyone for keeping the forum alive.
Got a buddys st1300 here, 2002 model, 56k miles on it. Been stood for 4 years in shed, got usual corrosion, rode in with no issues having just had oil/plugs done. Last started by him 18 months past but not driven - was on main stand.
Collected it from him to freshen up for a summer ride because I have a ramp. 1st thing noticed...NO clutch/no pressure 2nd thing - would not go into gear - would not move up/down - frozen solid!
Got it on ramp, bled the clutch up & down - only got few mm pressure when pulled right to the bars. Pulled front cover off and plate pack is only moving about 0.5mm at most - not good.
Now...under this thing looks like it has been at the bottom of the Irish sea for decades.....most worrying thing is the splined selector shaft and the joint the linkage is attached to are nearly 1 piece the rust is so bad. it has been soaked for a week in pen fluid, had a small butane flame on it and all to no avail - we all know the little 6mm bolt with a 10mm head will shear as soon as any excess pressure is put on it....then what??????
So, using an adjustable spanner on the bottom of linkage all 3 pivot poins are moving albeit ever so slightly and do not think they are siezed, but no matter how much force put onto the slined shaft/clamp nothing will move. In 40+ years working on jap bikes Ive never come accross this except whe a box has imploaded - and he has assured me it did not. Draining the oil/filter and removing front cover confirms no metals present.
Yes the engine turns over freely and starts no problem.
So the BIG questions are...whats happened? and how to free it? Anyone

 

[JohnK]

My humble opinion. Based on your observations and efforts, there is a lot to consider, the rust on the shifter spline is alarming in that it was exposed to water and its inner workings may be as well. You might want to pull the clutch cover and inspect the plates for rust and wear.

So its in neutral, engine runs etc. what did the old oil look like when drained?

Also the clutch slave may well be crusted and corroded. Sitting years without service that long it will need to be replaced. Along with brake system full bleed of calipers and the SMC(it may be failed too).

Anytime the transmission fails like that indicates some form of damage. Suspect it may need to be disassembled. I hope you have a shop oem manual - if that bike were in my shop - its going to be a serious breakdown and inspection.

 

[Larry Fine]

Try putting the bike on the center stand and see if you can shift while rotating the back wheel.

 

[OlGeezer]

Turning back wheel makes no diff when turning as cannot move shift lever into gear.
Shifter spline will always be exposed to water & the elements. The shaft as it enters the seal had no serious rust approx 1-3mm before entering rear engine casing cover - serious rust was on the clamp
As stated old oil was spotless as was filter contents.
Drained and refilled with new & filter, then started - redrained to check clutch - spotless.
Clutch cover removed, recent clutch fitted, stripped and checked out perfect.
Accept that clutch slave is gubbed.
All 3 calipers undergoing full rebuild.
Bike was NOT stood in water or damp - just usual UK useage, then dry stored mid June at the time