1985 Big Red tranny issues ??

[Jtberndt]

So this what I am having issues with . The peg that the gear shifter pivots on broke . So I pulled the shifting linkage out , got the old one out , put the new one in , slid the shaft thru the engine , put the covet back on . I then started it and I have a gear here and there !! I also can get no reverse . The clutches and the centrfugal clutch are all new a year ago . But I took the other cover off checked the clutches and they look brand new like the day they came out of the box . It acts like nothing there for like 4-5 shifts then it finds a gear !!! I been messing with this for two days and has got no better . I have adjusted the screw all the way in and out , nothing seems to work . Any ideas what might of happened ?? I am getting to the point of pushing it in the corner and let it be , very frusterated with it !! All help would be greatly appreciated , Todd

[spoon]

Good to see another Kentuckian on here. I have no clue on your issue but some very knowledgable guys will chime in in a few hours and you will be up and running in no time. Where ya at in Ky? I am in Lyon County.

[STROK'IN-2SMOKE]

Correct me if I'm wrong dude's.............. but it sounds like shift forks are wearing out.

[Jtberndt]

I don't think so , they shifted perfect until that pivot stud broke , if it is the forks , guess it's going in a bushell basket . It is hard for me to believe they went bad this bike had low hours on it when it comes to age . But who knows guess that's why I came on here!!! Lol

[Jtberndt]

I am in Jessamine county .

[Jtberndt]

Any help would be great .

[Dirtcrasher]

I doubt it's a worn out or bent shift fork. I've seen very few aside from a kid that raced and never used the clutch. That cause popping out of gear due to it never fully engaging in it's mating gears oblong holes.

Drain the oil, take off the left cover again, put the shifter back on. Something is out of place or got damaged.

For some reason it seems as if your shift drum is not rotating and or staying in that shift you rotate to. There are 2 "pawls" and springs that allow you to shift, inside the drum on many models (no case splitting needed).

The easiest thing to do is to watch it (while apart) and shift it with someone else spinning the rear wheels. You'll see exactly whats skipping, not grabbing etc etc.

I diagnose ALL external shifting issues that way.

Post back whatever you find :

[Jtberndt]

Well I drained it and have cover off . I even took that retaining cover or whatever u call it and took the pawls and springs out . The shifting drum rotates, but to be honest it does not seem to shift , the funny thing is last night it went thru the gears once . Now it has not done it again . I think a gun is in order , lol !!!

[Dirtcrasher]

^ Just to be clear, NOTHING will shift unless it's rotating, even if you have to grab the clutch basket and spin it, whatever. All drums rotate a bit but then they bind up without rotating......

Is the roller, with the torsion spring holding the shift drum in position until YOU tell it to up/down shift.

If one time it grabbed all the gears, I still say your missing something.......

Did someone rotate the tires while you shifted and watched?

If the pawls and springs are good (look for a change in the engaging areas on the pawls AND notches in the drum).

Does your shift drum have a center bolt in it? If it does there is a rollpin/locating pin/dowel in there? they can shear off and the drum wouldn't manually rotate/shift.

Bring it over that would be allot of driving.........

[Jtberndt]

I just rolled it back and forth . Am I missing parts ? Or not seeing something ? I know it's not parts , but I am off tommorrow so will get the rearend ip and rotate the tires , and go from there !!! Thanks so much for your help !!!

[mtsnieg]

^ Just to be clear, NOTHING will shift unless it's rotating, even if you have to grab the clutch basket and spin it, whatever. All drums rotate a bit but then they bind up without rotating......

Is the roller, with the torsion spring holding the shift drum in position until YOU tell it to up/down shift.

If one time it grabbed all the gears, I still say your missing something.......

Did someone rotate the tires while you shifted and watched?

If the pawls and springs are good (look for a change in the engaging areas on the pawls AND notches in the drum).

Does your shift drum have a center bolt in it? If it does there is a rollpin/locating pin/dowel in there? they can shear off and the drum wouldn't manually rotate/shift.

Bring it over that would be allot of driving.........

^^^ true to a tee.

Pull the pawls and springs and linkage, down to the shift drum. Put the rear end up on jacks. Grab the drum with your finners and you should be able to shift through the gears. You'll have to turn a wheel a bit with each shift. If it grabs the gears then you are missing something you took off to get this far. Otherwise it sounds like it's in the tranny I think. This is the way I dignosed my no 4th gear issue with my 85 250es. Hope this helps.

[Jtberndt]

Got it running right , but now the clutch adjustment won't work right , it gives me no adjustment , unable to turn the screw , the stuff under the cover flew apart , so I guess will have to take cover off . But hey I have reverse , and all gears just needs to be adjusted . Thanks for your help everyone !! Todd