Gear Lash in Downshift

[trapper]

I've recently been having a problem downshifting from 6th gear, (OD), to 5th during deceleration.  While moving at any speed above about 20-25mph the gears will frequently "grind" or do not "mesh".  I do not have any problem up shifting, nor do I have a problem down shifting in any other gear except 6th.  Sometimes I can downshift from 6th to 5th smooth as silk, but most the times I need to try several times before it slips down.  I hate to force it.  There are no other tranny problems such as noise, etc.

Any ideas?  Clutch?

Thanks in advance to all for your suggestions.

Trapper

[dc112675]

That is interesting, I am having the exact opposite problem . . . I can't to get mine to go in 6th.  Oh wait that's right, I DON'T HAVE a 6th gear.  The best solution is to stop using 6th, then you will know how all of us 3rd gen riders feel.  

As for a real solution, I am afraid that I don't have one.  But if I were to guess (never good) I would think it would not be the clutch . . .  because if the clutch was going out, wouldn't it affect all shifting (gears 1-6) whether up or down?  Seems to me that the hardest shift (on any vehicle) happens between 1-2.   Just a worthless thought . . . worth less than what you paid for it.  Good luck.  dc

[trapper]

Just wondering if what I'm experiencing could be an effect of using synthetic oil?

[trapper]

It was just suggested to me in a different forum that the problem could be poor technique.  That most certainly is a possibility, but I had not heard of the solution offered by the respondent.  He said that you had to increase the rev's to downshift.  Does that make sense.  Of course, I'm NOT doing that, rather I'm trying to down-shift while slowing or coasting most times with rev's decreasing to near idle...

Suggestions and other helpful hints are greatly appreciated.