Hey everyone, I’m in a bit of a pickle here. My bike refuses to shift out of first gear. I’ve tried a bunch of things, but nothing’s working. I’m desperate for some advice. What should I do?
Response
I feel your pain. I had the same issue with my Honda Shadow being stubbornly stuck in first gear. After some trial and error, I found that realigning the A and B spindle teeth did the trick for me.
Solutions that worked for users
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Personal Experience | Estimated Cost (USD) | Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realign A and B Spindle | 1 | Realigned the A and B spindle teeth | $0 | 30-60 |
| Check Shift Link Teeth Position | 2 | Checked the position of the shift link teeth | $0 | 15-30 |
| Examine Linkage and Shifting Drum | 1 | Looked at the star and ratcheting mechanism | $0 | 20-40 |
Symptoms
- Bike won’t shift out of first gear
- Difficulty moving the gear lever
- Loud grinding noises when trying to shift
Possible Causes
- Misaligned spindles or teeth
- Clutch issues
- Transmission problems
- Lack of lubrication in the shifting mechanism
Solutions that Worked
1. Realign A and B Spindle
What I Did:
I looked past the right side shifter plate area to see if the A and B spindle teeth were properly aligned. I realigned them by sliding the B spindle out a little and then back into position.
Outcome:
The bike started shifting through all gears.
Personal Experience:
After realigning the A and B spindle teeth, my bike started shifting normally. It was a huge relief.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
30-60 minutes
Steps:
- Put the bike on a stand to ensure it’s stable.
- Remove the right side shifter plate using the appropriate tools.
- Check the alignment of the A and B spindle teeth.
- If misaligned, slide the B spindle out a little.
- Realign the teeth and slide the B spindle back into position.
- Reattach the shifter plate and test the bike to see if the issue is resolved.
Expert Tip:
Always ensure that the spindles and teeth are in their correct positions before concluding that there’s a more severe issue. Also, make sure to use the right tools to avoid damaging any parts.
2. Check Shift Link Teeth Position
What I Did:
I checked the position of the shift link teeth, especially after a hard drop on the left side of the engine.
Outcome:
The bike started shifting normally.
Personal Experience:
I noticed that the shift link teeth were out of position. After adjusting them, the bike started shifting as it should.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
15-30 minutes
Steps:
- Put the bike on a stand for stability.
- Open the gear shift cover.
- Inspect the shift link teeth for any misalignment.
- If misaligned, adjust them back into their correct positions using pliers or a wrench.
- Test the bike to see if the issue is resolved.
Expert Tip:
Misaligned shift link teeth can often be the culprit behind gear shifting issues. Always check this before diving into more complex solutions. Also, if you’ve recently dropped your bike, this should be the first thing you check.
3. Examine Linkage and Shifting Drum
What I Did:
I took a closer look at the star and ratcheting mechanism in the linkage.
Outcome:
The bike started shifting normally.
Personal Experience:
I found that the star and ratcheting mechanism were not pushing the shifter drum far enough. After adjusting them, the bike started shifting as it should.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
20-40 minutes
Steps:
- Open up the area where the linkage is located.
- Examine the star and ratcheting mechanism.
- Make necessary adjustments to ensure they are pushing the shifter drum adequately.
- Reassemble any parts you may have disassembled.
- Test the bike to see if the issue is resolved.
Expert Tip:
Sometimes, the issue could be as simple as a misadjusted clutch or a bent linkage. Always start with the simpler solutions before diving into more complex diagnostics. Additionally, if you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, it may be best to consult a professional.
Motorcycle Models Where This Worked
- 1983 750 Shadow
- 1987 VT1100C
- 2006 Katana 750
- 1997 Honda Shadow
- 1984 VT700 (with a 749cc engine)
- 2005 VTX 1800