doing it next week, when the panels are off being painted...but I have a concern with the transmission...the engine isn't starting because on the carbs. However, I shift down to 1st and try going through the gears. it finds neutral, feels like it goes into second and third but we I try 4th it "feels" like it isn't going into 4th, 5th or 6th...I know it's difficult to diagnosis without the engine running, but when you have your bike off and you try to shift through the gears do you feel all the gears? additionally, I replaced the shift lever..the new lever has a slightly longer connecting rod...would this matter? any wisdom would be appreciated...Is it common to have the transmission rebuilt? my bike only has 18k miles on it...

 

1st, 2nd, and 3rd on mine clunk into gear. 4th is fairly easy and 5th and 6th pop into place without using the clutch, it seems. No noise and perfect mesh.

 

so, are you saying that your bike sounds similiar to the way I discribed???

 

I've never shifted without the bike running other than to downshift into neutral. However, even the shifting action is easier into the higher gears. I mentioned no noise and little clutch action needed, but even the effort required to pop into gear is much less than from frist to second or second to third. I believe this may just be because of how much the lower gears are used and 28k miles later things are worn.

I'll give it a try in an hour or so when I have to run an errant at the office. Will let you know for sure how mine feels.

 

OK, I shut off the bike and attempted to shift. I was able to go as high as 3rd and felt the clunk in each shift, but could not shift or feel anything after that. I then attempted to go back down, but I couldn't shift back down. Had to start the bike back up and shift back down and into neutral.

Seems that you'll need to get the bike running before you can make sure you have all your gears.

 

thanks for the help...