Hi, I hope the collective genius can help.

So here is the narrative:

My father in-law rode his 1991 883 yesterday and parked it possibly in 2nd or 3rd gear. When he came back out to the bike, it started but as he was trying to shift into 1st, the shift lever "had some movement in it but it didn't feel normal and it won't change gears." Since the clutch was working he limped the bike back to his house and he thinks the bike was actually in 5th for that entire ride.

Does anyone have any ideas or courses of action to fix this problem?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

If he has tried rocking the bike with engine off while trying to shift to neutral and it won't downshift, you likely have to go in there and see what is hanging the shift drum up. Sounds like the type of situation where the little spring(s) may have broken, or the pawl carrier is hanging-up. You can see the shift mech with the pri cover off and clutch out of the way, but if he got Western with it, he may have bent the 4-5 shift fork.

 

Rancho, thanks for the response. Will try what you've recommended.