Gear Box

[the captain]

Right, those of you in the know....Having got the bike back from the painters ive got a problem with the gears......now bearing in mind its been sitting for a few weeks doing nothing, when i slow at junctions and come to a slow stop it wont go down into first.....if i rev it up and move forward slightly it will, but only sometimes! ive changed the oil in case it was a lubrication problem but its still happening.....im gonna have a go at changing the clutch plates and springs when i can afford it.
The clutch isnt dagging so its not a cable problem, it just wont go down into first...any ideas??????

[bayonet]

Right, those of you in the know....Having got the bike back from the painters ive got a problem with the gears......now bearing in mind its been sitting for a few weeks doing nothing, when i slow at junctions and come to a slow stop it wont go down into first.....if i rev it up and move forward slightly it will, but only sometimes! ive changed the oil in case it was a lubrication problem but its still happening.....im gonna have a go at changing the clutch plates and springs when i can afford it.
The clutch isnt dagging so its not a cable problem, it just wont go down into first...any ideas??????
First check the play in the cable anyway. Too much freeplay means the clutch is still trying to do it's clutchy thing even when you have the lever in and getting it into 1st will be a problem (easy test, does it go into gear more easily with the engine dead).
Second, it may just be that grooves are starting to wear in the clutch basket, causing the plates to snag as they try to move. Take it out and file them smooth, then wash it thoroughly of filings before reinstalling.