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Bike is apart for repairs ( starter housing gasket replacement) I was getting too hot in the shop, so I decided to push the bike outside. It will only roll backwards about 4 feet then stops and rear chain goes tight on top. Bike IS in neutral, primary cover is off to adjust front chain. I even have the spark plugs out just to make sure I'm not fighting compression. I will roll about 4 feet then stop. Primary chain doesn't move , it shouldn't in neutral. What could be jamming the front drive sprocket? I really don't want to pull this transmission out if it can be avoided ! I cannot see anything external preventing its rotation. I does turn a few times( full revolutions) when pushed backwards, but then stops??? I have a FSM ,but this issue is not addressed in the manual. I have read some other posts that say to take the shifter lever off and smack the shaft with a dead blow hammer to re- seat the bushing? Could that be the issue? Bike is a 1976 XLH both kick and electric start. I'm a decent wrench but this is my first Harley, so not sure what to look for. Any help would be appreciated!
Yes ,shifter arm is tight, splines are in good shape. Cross shaft linkage is adjusted per FSM . I have the primary cover off currently to adjust the chain . When pushed backwards the clutch and crank sprocket don't move ,so I figure it IS in neutral. The front transmission drive sprocket does turn a few revolutions when push backwards but then locks up after a few feet. If I jack up thr *** end ,same thing ,rear tire spins a few times the the chain goes tight.
Not sure how far it will go as it will run into the back wall of the shop? I will jack up the *** end again and check how far the reaer whell will spin.forwards. I'll get back to you.
Thanks, Johnjzjz!!! Can't believe I made such a rookie mistake! When I took the trigger wire off the solenoid, I must have dropped the small 3/8 nut in the chain. When I push it backwards it jammed it down between the rollers on one link. . Couldn't see it with out a flashlight. I found it by throwing a Rachel strap over the rafter , raised to rear tire off the ground and spun the tire both ways. Sure enough where it stopped in both directions was the nut! Thanks to all of you for your input, I appreciate every suggestion. I tore this bike down to the frame and rebuild everything, only old thing on it is me and the frame. Can't wait to get it back together and ride it instead of wrenching on it. Thanks again gentlemen, you rock!!!
Thanks, Johnjzjz!!! Can't believe I made such a rookie mistake! When I took the trigger wire off the solenoid, I must have dropped the small 3/8 nut in the chain. When I push it backwards it jammed it down between the rollers on one link. . Couldn't see it with out a flashlight. I found it by throwing a Rachel strap over the rafter , raised to rear tire off the ground and spun the tire both ways. Sure enough where it stopped in both directions was the nut! Thanks to all of you for your input, I appreciate every suggestion. I tore this bike down to the frame and rebuild everything, only old thing on it is me and the frame. Can't wait to get it back together and ride it instead of wrenching on it. Thanks again gentlemen, you rock!!!
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