250 SX won't shift

[Moochie]

Out plowing snow today with my 85 250 sx, running it hard and went to put it in reverse and the gear locked up/will not shift. Like it stuck in neutral.

Big problem -right?

Any help would be great, thanks.

Jim Orvis
MN
jim@c21goldshores.com

[Dirtcrasher]

So it's stuck between gears or nuetral or reverse? I'd unhook the reverse cable and manually try to mess with it - rock the machine back and forth. See whats up. Then if crap is still fired up, I'd yank off the left engine side cover. The SX/ES engines have a pin in there that snaps easy and a shifter shaft piece that also seems prone to failure - Mind you, these are the only actual weaknesses those machines have...Aside from a one way clutch and maybe a couple others - not many others.

[voodoo1215]

Chances are it is the shift shaft... in my 85 i had the same problem... double check but i think the 86 shift shaft is beefier... another problem these had(which doesnt relate to your issue... just saying), was the cranks.. in 85 they had issues with the crank. my 85 had a broken crank when i got it. in the manual i have it says the rev limiter was too high on the 85,and was recalled.. I have more info, i just have to dig out the book.. nobody else that I know ever had the crank problem... but the shift shaft problem has been an issue for others..

[Tri-ZNate]

just saying), was the cranks.. in 85 they had issues with the crank. my 85 had a broken crank when i got it. in the manual i have it says the rev limiter was too high on the 85,and was recalled.. I have more info, i just have to dig out the book

Yep thats the main reason the rev limiter is set where it is on the SX, any higher and the cranks were prone to givin out.

But like said either shift shaft or might be your shift forks are bent. my grandfathers ALT had that problem and wouldnt go into any gear

[voodoo1215]

Clymer Manual:
HONDA shaft Drive
Atc250 & fourtrax 200-250. 1984-1987
Service-repair-maintenance
ISBN 0-89287-429-5

Page 139
Crankshaft Breakage(1985 250 sx models)
The right hand end of the crankshaft may break by over-reving the engine on these models. to eliminate the problem, Honda has developed a new CDI unit with a built in rev limiter. If your vehicle is still covered by factory warranty, take it to a honda dealer and have this new CDI unit installed under the conditions of your warranty.if your vehicle is out of the warranty period, the new CDI unit should still be installed to eliminate the possibility of engine damage
All models that the new CDI unit installed are Identified by a punch mark stamped out at the right hand end of the engine serial number on the engine crankcase. The models affected by this problem are identified by the following frame numbers TE04E-FM000001-050868

[Rex Karz]

This is a common problem. A bolt backs out inside, under the cover. Search here and 3wheeler.org for the fix.

[gplarryv]

my 85 had a broken crank when i got it. in the manual i have it says the rev limiter was too high on the 85,and was recalled.. I have more info, i just have to dig out the book.. nobody else that I know ever had the crank problem... but the shift shaft problem has been an issue for others..

my 85 has a broken crank but this is how i bought it. i thought the clutch might have exploded because it would run still

i'd be interested in the info on the crank prob also

[voodoo1215]

I listed whats in the book above... its the clymer manual for the shaft drive hondas.... this is how I found out about it... I got mine started with the broken crank... It would start right up, but of course you would hear a terrible knocking.. thats when i just pulled the motor, and found a crank on e-bay...and rebuilt the motor.

also listed is the isbn number for the manual... you can find it on amazon I think...


Jason

my 85 has a broken crank but this is how i bought it. i thought the clutch might have exploded because it would run still

i'd be interested in the info on the crank prob also

[Huffa]

Chances are it is the shift shaft... in my 85 i had the same problem... double check but i think the 86 shift shaft is beefier... another problem these had(which doesnt relate to your issue... just saying), was the cranks.. in 85 they had issues with the crank. my 85 had a broken crank when i got it. in the manual i have it says the rev limiter was too high on the 85,and was recalled.. I have more info, i just have to dig out the book.. nobody else that I know ever had the crank problem... but the shift shaft problem has been an issue for others..

Hmmmm, I'll bet that's what's wrong with mine.

2 things that should be looked at...........

1) I have the clutch adjustment at motor adjusted right but the machine (always did this) likes to lurch forwrd a bit when you put it in gear

2) reverse is getting a bit hard to put in and take out but it still does work

I have a manual but I'll ask anyway, in a general procedure sort of way, what's involved in fixing the shaft, do I have to remove the engine, take one of the side cases off with engine still in frame or what?

Does the shaft just slide out from one side or is this MAJOR going ons here?