i just purchased a 1947 knucklehead el , had bad fuel , cleaned the carb drained the tank , new fuel , bike starts and runs fine . it now will not go into gear , too much play in the shift arm going into the transmission . it shifted fine after starting it the first time . shut it off and had to adjust the center bolt on the clutch to get it to kick or turn over . this bike was restored and only has 52 miles since , every bolt on the bike was loose . not sure if something inside the transmission where the shifter lever goes in has fallen off or broken , have not removed the side case on the right side yet

 

Good luck and post pictures.

 

Try posting this in the www.jockeyjournal.com forum, when I had my 1950 FL Panhead, that's where I posted all of my questions.

Good Luck

 

You can post here, lots of knowledge. Need some pics and additional information.

 

Tank shift 3 speed/ reverse or ratchet lid 4 speed trany ? My 46 knuck came with a ratchet lid 4 speed trany

 

I would start with putting the rear wheel up then from neutral try and select the gears rocking the rear wheel back and forth - if it selects the gears that way

then look into the clutch if not - you need to remove the shift lid

you did not say if it is a foot shift bike so I am guessing - some people do not use the correct parts names so its confusing to help

 

You said every bolt on the bike was loose. Before you go digging into the clutch and/or transmission, check the battery hold down rods. If they're the aftermarket type that don't have the mounting tabs to bolt to the rear fender, the wing nut can vibrate loose on the left side and the hold down rod will drop down blocking the clutch arm from either moving forward to disengage the clutch or backward to engage. I've seen this happen more than once.

 

Lots of good info here. Also try the Classic American Iron forum. Good luck.

 

WHAT??? another Knuckle head owner!!! welcome to the forum.