tranny problems

[jrgreene1968]

buddy of mine called said he lost all gears but 1st..any ideas what i could tell him to look for? It will go into 1st and but wont do anything in any other gear

[Panzer]

Might be shift linkage or paws  ............what year?

[jrgreene1968]

He said it's an 04. It's a friend of a friend's bike..buddy called me last night. Wandering if I knew anything about them. I ain't never worked on a sporty. Except the one I had back in 1980..but never had any problems like that.
I told him maybe shift paw or drum..but from what I read..The cases gotta be split to get into tranny

[aswracing]

That's right, no more trap door starting in '04. I'd pull the primary cover and take a look at the pawl and go from there.

[sportsterpaul]

If he pulls the primary cover you can get a pretty good look at the shift pawl.  Oh it are two spring loaded fingers that rachet the drum,(which is inside the cases), it is possible for a spring come off and therefore not get proper racheting.  Note: you need not pull the stator, primary chain and clutch basket to get at the pawl.  By releasing the clutch basket you can slip it forward enough to slip the pawl assembly out for closer inspection and repair, like checking the tips of those fingers to make sure they are not worn or have a broken tip.  Before replacing the primary cover place the shift lever back on the shaft and as you slowly spin the rear wheel shift up and back down through your gears to check for stiffness and/or bindinding.  If it is not smooth it may be an indication that your cases will have to be split for further inspection.

[jrgreene1968]

If he pulls the primary cover you can get a pretty good look at the shift pawl.  Oh it are two spring loaded fingers that rachet the drum,(which is inside the cases), it is possible for a spring come off and therefore not get proper racheting.  Note: you need not pull the stator, primary chain and clutch basket to get at the pawl.  By releasing the clutch basket you can slip it forward enough to slip the pawl assembly out for closer inspection and repair, like checking the tips of those fingers to make sure they are not worn or have a broken tip.  Before replacing the primary cover place the shift lever back on the shaft and as you slowly spin the rear wheel shift up and back down through your gears to check for stiffness and/or bindinding.  If it is not smooth it may be an indication that your cases will have to be split for further inspection.

thanks for the info..i haven't heard back from him yet..but I will pass this on to him