Getting stuck between the gears

I've ran into this problem every once in a while on my 79 KZ1000 LTD, but as of lately it seems to happen nearly every time I ride it. I run Rotella T 15w-40 in my bike and change the oil at least twice a year, about every 2k miles or maybe less.

It used to happen when I would go WOT and go to shift into the next gear, and the thing would get stuck between gears, acting like it is in neutral. It feels like it engages, but obviously doesn't. I have to upshift again to get it into gear. A few times I would accidentally rev it into redline since I thought I was going into the next gear, so I would like to try and find a remedy for this problem before something blows up!

Could I have bent shift forks or something? It used to happen most often between 1-2, but it seems like it will do it in any gear now. I've had it happen during regular cruising too, and its sort of embarrassing when you go to shift, and end up revving the engine instead of hitting the next gear. The bike has about 33k miles on it and I'm sure the engine and transmission are stock.

how does your shifter feel is it tight or does it have play in it. it almost sounds to me like the return spring on the shifter shaft has weakened.

I think it may have some play in it, but never really have paid attention. I'll check it out sometime tomorrow. How hard is it to get to that spring?

How hard is it to get to that spring

It's not a 5 minute job but it isn't over complicated either. You'll need to remove your chain cover and counter sprocket to get to the external shift mechanism.

Since you have to remove the transmission cover to get to the shift mechanism, probably smarter to replace the gasket and seals while your at it...

For OEM parts fiche files...
www.babbittsonline.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/9/Kawasaki.aspx

Z1 enterprises has them.... $6.30 plus shipping...
www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2641

OMR

Thanks for the link, but I'm hoping I won't need it now! I checked out my shifter today, only to find that the shifter level itself was loose on the rod, causing some play. So I tightened it up, and the play is gone! Shifting from 1st to 2nd still feels a bit odd, but I didnt have it get stuck between gears today, which made me happy. I probably never would have bothered looking at it if it werent for this thread, so thanks!!!

I love low-tech solutions to high-tech problems. A loose shift lever bolt.....
I must have told a hundred guys over the years that, yes, that bolt needs to be checked EVERY time you change the oil.
They WILL loosen up over time and then you get the exact problem that toadson describes. Worst case with that bolt left loose is you will wreck the splines on the shifter shaft and/or ruin the tranny itself.
So.....tell everyone you know to perform this simple check every time they change their oil. A light tug with a box-end wrench on that pinch bolt on the shift lever. Simple stuff...

Last time my cousin and I went riding, his shifter lever fell completely off his 76 Sportster. It was fun trying to find that in the dark on the backroads, but we managed to find it lol. Thanks for the tip, I'll keep an eye on it.