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Can't go into 2nd gear!!!!
I'm just wondering if someone could please help give me some advice. I have a 2009 xl1200 Sportster Custom with forward controls. Yesterday I went for a bike ride and stopped to fuel up. When I tried to leave I couldn't get the bike into 2nd gear. I can access 1st and neutral gear fine but can't get into 2nd. Could it be a bent shift fork, or I heard there's a return spring inside that could have come loose? Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. |
sounds like your diagnosis is pretty close considering the events, malfunction of the shifter pawl. easy enough to check, pull the primary.
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Thanks, I will pull the primary cover off and check inside.
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Before you start pulling things apart check thoroughly around your bike to see if something silly is going on. For example is anything in the gear-change linkage touching something else that it shouldn't? With the engine not running, can you rock the bike and get it into first, second etc?
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Nothing appears to be touching on th side of the bike which could be districting the linkages full range of movement. The bike can be shifted into first and neutral while the bike is off but can't engage 2nd. It just remains stiff in neutral and won't move up a gear. |
Nothing appears to be touching on the side of the bike which could be ristricting the linkages full range of movement. The bike can be shifted into first and neutral while the bike is off but can't engage 2nd. It just remains stiff in neutral and won't move up a gear. |
Check the pins that the shift pawl grabs, they may be backing out. I had a '01 sporty that the pins backed out and put pressure on the detent plate causing the detent plate spring clip to break. I know they changed the design in '04 but the pins are still in the same place and can cause binding, if they are backed out then fully remove the pin(s) and clean the holes then red locktite the pins and tap them back in with a soft faced mallet. The pins are press fit.
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very true mr. zan, but that design changed for the worst. i sure hope he does not have to go inside the tranny, complete deframe and tear down.
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And that is why I prefer the rigid mounts.
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Seems lik
Looks like I found the issue, there are two springs located on the upper part of the shifter Pawl and one on the bottom which is controlled by an external arm to engage gears.
It apprears that the lower spring engages 1st and Nuteral well the upper spring engages the upper gears 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. The upper spring had come loose and fallen into the primary casing. I have since reconnected this and now the bike is engaging all gears. I have re assembled the primary cover, adjusted chain tension and will put fresh oil in tomorrow. any recommended transmission oil? 2009 Sportster 1200c Thanks |
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