Can't shift to second gear

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 29, 2013 | 12:33 PM

Charles Kaetz

Thread Starter

Stage III

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

From: Lyman, SC

Can't shift to second gear

An estate settlement so obviously the seller has no info on the bike. Just picked up a 2002 Softail with 18K miles for cheap money. Reason being is that it will not shift into second. Can easily shift from neutral to first, back to neutral with no problem. NO resistance at all. Try to shift into second and the shift is hitting a "wall". Shift pedal will not move at ALL. Linkage is not the issue. Have disconnected the linkage and have the same issue manually. Would like to fix this myself .... any help/ideas is appreciated!!

Sep 29, 2013 | 07:45 PM

Gman in NC

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 1,257

Likes: 2

From: Gastonia, NC

If the external linkage is free, I'd say that tranny has to come out.

Sep 30, 2013 | 07:22 AM

SJ58

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 1,301

Likes: 0

From: A SaltwaterHillbilly-Surrounded By Cages

Wonder what the oil in the tranny looks like? Could have moisture in it or if there's metal shavings in it, might be some damage that will require a rebuild.

Sep 30, 2013 | 09:59 PM

Iron lHorse

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 7,388

Likes: 3,357

From: usa

Maybe a bent shifting fork ?

Sep 30, 2013 | 10:02 PM

soft 02

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 66,948

Likes: 4,573

From: TOAK western branch

Gotta pull the top cover and look at the shift pawl.

Sep 30, 2013 | 10:06 PM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 100,455

Likes: 19,811

From: Centennial, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron lHorse

Maybe a bent shifting fork ?

Is what I'm thinking.
Start checking eBay for transmissions. Shouldn't be too hard to find nor too expensive. It may be worthwhile if you got the bike cheap enough. You may even be able to find just a gearset to swap out instead of the whole thing, but I suppose you'll have to be mechanically inclined. JMHO>

Oct 1, 2013 | 05:32 AM

cwsharp

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 2,395

Likes: 153

From: Utah

Lubricate the shift lever shaft where it goes through the frame. See if that helps BEFORE you open up the tranny.

Trending Topics

Well Monday will tell

32

654
Dipsticks

27

576
Interview - A Straight-Talking Harley-Davidson Dealer

123

6.4k
TPMS

13

249
Air pressure crankcase TC96

27

812

Oct 1, 2013 | 07:45 AM

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

Likes: 821

From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwsharp

Lubricate the shift lever shaft where it goes through the frame. See if that helps BEFORE you open up the tranny.

+1.. This can cause shifting problems.

Also as said above, shifting palls.

We all like to save ####,, but, if Ur not a really good wrench and since U bought her used, Instead of taking the chance of messing up the tranny, U could find a good local Indy or even Ur local HD dealer, Talk with them and/or trailer her in and go from there.

With this bike U really are guessing about everything on her.. and IMO she needs a Complete and Total Service and Going over, front to back, top to bottom...

At least I would have it done or do is myself before riding her..
A shop manual will be Ur best friend if U do most of it Ur self.

.