I rode my 1996 Ultra Classic into town Friday night to pick up some stuff, on the way home I was cruising along in 4th gear about fifty mph, I shifted into 5th and the bike made a grinding sound, would not go at all. The engine was still running good, and sounded good as long as I held the clutch in. I thought the primary chain may have broke, so I hauled the bike home and pulled the primary cover and everything looks good in there. I hope it is not the transmission. I ordered a new clutch set and a clutch release tool.

 

Going with "transmission." What about that shifter pawl thingie? Would that do it guys?

 

Could be either the shift fork of the ratchet mechanism. Or maybe the shift lever moved a bit on the shaft so you're not getting enough throw.

 

Up in the air, put in gear and turn rear wheel. Is there movement in the clutch...chain etc. maybe spun a sprocket out or clutch hub.

 

I can shift it ok, in neutral it sounds ok running with clutch release, in 1st or 2nd, it makes a grinding sound but will not move... Sounds to me like something broke..
Will take it apart Friday to see...

 

I'm going with comp sprocket or clutch assembly....

 

I can turn the rear wheel with the trans in gear, and nothing spins inside the primary, so either the spline on the front sprocket is stripped or a shaft in the trans is broke, at least that is the best I can come up with until I get it apart.
Is the nut to remove the whole clutch assembly, a left hand thread?

 

Yes the clutch hub nut has left hand threads.

 

What about 3rd & 4th & 5th,any movement or only problem in 1 & 2 ? You can pull top off trans first and see.

 

Pull the clutch pack and keep us posted...