I have a problem shifting into 2nd or higher....I have done a clutch adjustment, and I am getting ready to get into the tranny to look at the forks and further things. Before I go into the transmission, is there an adjustment needed to be done to the shifter linkage from the shifter linkage cross shaft attatchment to the shifter linkage? I hear that some have a rod that adjusts..Is this correct on this model, or do I just need to go into the transmission?

 

The clutch adjustment on the IronHeads is not the same as on other bikes, Hondas etc. So the first question is, did you do it correctly? The procedure in the factory service manual has 5 or 6 steps, some with multiple parts; they must be done in the exact sequence as in the manual, never leaving out any of the steps. Do you have the FSM? Did you do the adjustment correctly?

I am not familiar with the shifter linkage on the '75 and '76 so someone else will have to answer that one. I do know that it is problematic and must be set up correctly. So be sure to get some advice from someone who knows before getting into the trans etc.

Most years of IronHeads have a knurled shifter shaft; for other years the attachment to the lever relies on friction. The friction ones tend to slip and then shifting becomes imprecise. Since your problem is all of the gears after 1st i am thinking that this may be the problem. So be sure to also check this out with someone who knows before getting into the trans.

Someone should be along here to help in the next day or so.

 

Does it skip neutral while running in addition to the hard shift to second and higher? This could be the pawl is going out.