Bent shifter, worked before I took it off, now can't shift.

[pantingfish]

Hello, as you can see I'm new to here and to the motorcycle world in general. I recently ran into a problem and found this place, and I feel as though you guys may be able to help me. I have a 1974 Honda 360T, just got it two weeks ago, first bike. Long story short, bike feel down on the left side, bent the shifter lever, I rode it home fine, everything shifted fine. I got home, tried to bend the shifter back while it was still on the bike, I didn't bang or pull too hard, decide to take it off to bend it back with a vice, shift it down to 1st gear before I take the shifter off, get it off attempt to bend it back (I got it to bend back slightly) go and put it back on, now I can't shift into any gears at all, when I push it down it gets stuck and I have to physically apply pressure to bring it back up, won't shift up into any other gears. Any help? I'm hesitant to take it apart, since the screws are nearly stripped. Any help would be awesome, thanks. sorry if this is in the wrong place.

[DaveZX6r]

Pictures might help I have no idea what the shifter looks like on a 360t. As for the screws being nearly stripped replace them, I replace any bolts as soon as they start to go. You don't want to be stuck on the side of the road because one of them loosened up and you can't tighten it. Also welcome to the boards. Also try rolling the bike back and forth while keeping presure on the shifter. Motorcycle trannies need some rotation to move thru all the gears.

[maxim_X]

Like Dave said pics will help. But, some shifters attach to an arm that can be flipped to give you reverse shifting. If you did that accidentally you may think your in 1st gear and actually be in top gear.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

I had a 360 back in the day I had a Problem like that it turned out the splines in the shifter were strippped and the Shifter was slipping and hitting the frame. I ended up drilling the Shifter bolt out and using a Nut and Bolt.

[pantingfish]

Pictures might help I have no idea what the shifter looks like on a 360t. As for the screws being nearly stripped replace them, I replace any bolts as soon as they start to go. You don't want to be stuck on the side of the road because one of them loosened up and you can't tighten it. Also welcome to the boards. Also try rolling the bike back and forth while keeping presure on the shifter. Motorcycle trannies need some rotation to move thru all the gears.

Thanks! I'll see if I can get some pictures. These were already almost stripped when I got the bike, I just can't understand why it was shifting before I took the shifter lever off, only thing I can think of is that I broke something inside while I was trying to bend it back while it was on the bike. Here's one on Ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-Honda-c...7f038e&vxp=mtr

[G21forme]

Also keep in mind that when you put it all back together some linkages need to be aligned at a 90 degree angle to get maximum movement on the shaft, some bikes even have a notch to help orientate the ball joint on the splines.

[Rossco]

I'd like to take a look at this myself. Where are you located?

Oh, and if the screw holding the shifter on the shaft is stripped, I'd replace it. A quick check shows that honda used an M6X20 screw for that. You should be able to pick one up at a local hardware store.

[OreoGaborio]

Sounds like something may be bound up. Probably an easy fix for someone who knows bikes.

Where are you located?

[pantingfish]

Back with pictures.

image 1

Image 2, this is the shifter, it clicks down and stays in this position unless I physically move it upwards.


image 3 here you can see the shifter bent, I have the screw out.


Also the screws stripped are the screws that go into the casing, I think I confused you guys on what screw was stripped. Also I can start the bike, just can't shift it, can't get it into neutral or anything.

[pantingfish]

Also those pictures make it look like it scraps against the casing, it doesn't, I'm guessing it did for the previous owners.

[OreoGaborio]

Loosen the bolt and pull the shift lever away from the engine casing a little bit. It may just be pressing up against it enough to cause it to bind.

[butcher bergs]

[pantingfish]

Loosen the bolt and pull the shift lever away from the engine casing a little bit. It may just be pressing up against it enough to cause it to bind.

I just tried this making sure it had enough space, still didn't do the trick, but then I thought maybe I didn't have it tight enough so I tightened it to the point where the screw snapped in half, half of it is still stuck in there, guess I'll have to drill it out. I'm tempted to take it somewhere.

[OreoGaborio]

3rd time... where are you located? There are people on here (including myself) would be willing to help if it's not too far out of the way.

[Rossco]

Yeah, and if we can't help I can give you the contact info of people who can.

There's a guy in my town that specializes in fixing old bikes. I also have contact info from a local guy that parts out and fixes old Hondas.

[pantingfish]

I'm in VA, it seems most of you guys are in MA. I know there's a motorcycle scrap yard that fixes old bikes, I may take it down there.

[Rossco]

VA?

Too bad, a few NESRians just made a trip to VIR, ya just missed'em.

But seriously though, you may want to post a thread on ADVrider. There's a huge community there, and you're bound to find someone who either lives within 5-10 miles of you or someone who has had the same bike as you and knows every single nut and bolt of it.

[pantingfish]

VA?

Too bad, a few NESRians just made a trip to VIR, ya just missed'em.

But seriously though, you may want to post a thread on ADVrider. There's a huge community there, and you're bound to find someone who either lives within 5-10 miles of you or someone who has had the same bike as you and knows every single nut and bolt of it.

Okay! Thank you for directing me there. I also made a thread on another forum called Hondatwins. I'm pretty bummed I made such a stupid mistake, I've been having a great time with the bike the past week or so.

[Kitt]

edit... why is the screw out of the damn shifter?

1 option:

Pull the shifter off, re orient it so that the "slot" in the clamp around the splines is at 5:30 ish, right now it's at about 5:00... (This is probably only 2 spline teeth). When you pull it off, make sure the splines inside the shifter and on the shift shaft are very well defined, if not - replace shifter ($20), if necessary use a file to clean up the shaft splines. Lastly, if you are not getting a torque of at least 15 ft-lbs on the bolt that "squeezes" the clamp down on the shaft, either replace shifter, or replace bolt with a longer bolt and a nut on the other side.

2nd option:

Fit some marchesini's on that bitch, it'll be worth more.

[nt650hawk]

did you straighten the shifter onthe bike? if you did you may have bent the shift shaft internaly.