Bad Star - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

KyBill · 08-03-2008, 11:10 AM

My little Star (99 V Star 650) is letting me down. Loud, constant, bad noise in 5th gear. All other gears and all else is quiet & smooth. Took it to local Yamaha dealer yesterday and had mechanic test ride. Now this mechanic & this rinky dink shop, I wouldn't trust to tune my lawn mower, but they are all I have. The mechanic confirmed my worst fear, BAD TRANSMISSION; 5th gear going out, and don't know hat it needs or what the cost would be, until it is torn apart.

If I can find a shop with knowledgeable & reliable mechanic, I will bite
the bullet. I know that it will be a biggie, but has anybody got an idea as to what the labor alone should approximate. Anybody know where I might locate a used tranny?

I don't have a bundle to spend on this, so any ideas and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

**Clint** · 08-03-2008, 12:32 PM

Do you spend much time above 65 mph? I'd ride it in fourth until your finances allow otherwise. I don't think your fuel economy will suffer much.

KyBill · 08-03-2008, 04:55 PM

Thanks Clint.
I've been riding in 4th, and will continue to do so; until I can find a mechanic that I trust to do the work. I was just wondering how much it cost just for the labor. I've already checked the parts prices. Shops here charge $85.00 per hour labor, & I am wondering if there is a flat rate manual for bikes.

**Clint** · 08-03-2008, 05:12 PM

Hmm. I've not heard of such a thing for bikes. I'm not in the business, though.

Aussie Steve · 08-03-2008, 07:33 PM

I would allow for at least 10 - 12 hours labour...that would be a very quick and efficient dealer...anybody know of one of these? Add the cost of the parts and you should be about right. Don't forget to add on for new gaskets etc... the dealer will fit everything that is called for in the manual...including things that could, at a pinch be re-used.

Good luck...don't suppose a dealer will strip it down for you to do the replacement parts????

KyBill · 08-04-2008, 12:32 AM

Thanks Steve,
We think alike. I figure they will hit me for day and half labor for about $1000.00.
Your thought about tear down---that's the easy part; I'm good at tearing things down for myself. The hard part, is getting everything put back together; in its proper place, and I'm not too good at that part.

Aussie Steve · 08-04-2008, 04:35 AM

Yeah me too! although in my case its laziness. Best course of action is to get a quote and do as Clint says save the pennies. Alternitive is stop riding and pull it down yourself......major PITA but this is where digital cameras come in very handy to make sure it all goes back in the right order

Good luck

pugsly · 11-05-2008, 03:00 PM

you could always do what my buddy done. his started having tranny problems so he bought a vstar that had been laid down (and slid for a while) by a guy at work, got it cheap and now has plenty of spare parts

08-03-2008, 11:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
KyBill Newbie Joined: Jul 2008 Bike: 1999 Yahama V Star 650 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 5	Bad Star My little Star (99 V Star 650) is letting me down. Loud, constant, bad noise in 5th gear. All other gears and all else is quiet & smooth. Took it to local Yamaha dealer yesterday and had mechanic test ride. Now this mechanic & this rinky dink shop, I wouldn't trust to tune my lawn mower, but they are all I have. The mechanic confirmed my worst fear, BAD TRANSMISSION; 5th gear going out, and don't know hat it needs or what the cost would be, until it is torn apart. If I can find a shop with knowledgeable & reliable mechanic, I will bite the bullet. I know that it will be a biggie, but has anybody got an idea as to what the labor alone should approximate. Anybody know where I might locate a used tranny? I don't have a bundle to spend on this, so any ideas and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

08-03-2008, 04:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
KyBill Newbie Joined: Jul 2008 Bike: 1999 Yahama V Star 650 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 5	Bad Star Thanks Clint. I've been riding in 4th, and will continue to do so; until I can find a mechanic that I trust to do the work. I was just wondering how much it cost just for the labor. I've already checked the parts prices. Shops here charge $85.00 per hour labor, & I am wondering if there is a flat rate manual for bikes.

08-03-2008, 07:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Aussie Steve U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 02 1200 Bandit Location: Western Australia Posts: 1,115	I would allow for at least 10 - 12 hours labour...that would be a very quick and efficient dealer...anybody know of one of these? Add the cost of the parts and you should be about right. Don't forget to add on for new gaskets etc... the dealer will fit everything that is called for in the manual...including things that could, at a pinch be re-used. Good luck...don't suppose a dealer will strip it down for you to do the replacement parts???? __________________ Just remember you ARE entitled to my opinion!!!!

08-04-2008, 04:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
Aussie Steve U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 02 1200 Bandit Location: Western Australia Posts: 1,115	Yeah me too! although in my case its laziness. Best course of action is to get a quote and do as Clint says save the pennies. Alternitive is stop riding and pull it down yourself......major PITA but this is where digital cameras come in very handy to make sure it all goes back in the right order Good luck __________________ Just remember you ARE entitled to my opinion!!!!

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08-04-2008, 12:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
KyBill Newbie Joined: Jul 2008 Bike: 1999 Yahama V Star 650 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 5	Thanks Steve, We think alike. I figure they will hit me for day and half labor for about $1000.00. Your thought about tear down---that's the easy part; I'm good at tearing things down for myself. The hard part, is getting everything put back together; in its proper place, and I'm not too good at that part.

11-05-2008, 03:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
pugsly Newbie Joined: Oct 2008 Bike: 2007 Yamaha 650 Classic Raven Paint Scheme Location: southeastern ky Posts: 22	you could always do what my buddy done. his started having tranny problems so he bought a vstar that had been laid down (and slid for a while) by a guy at work, got it cheap and now has plenty of spare parts

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