I dont have a "derby" on mine .on yours all you will see is the clutch with the derby off.you have to pull the primary case off , then mount the shift lever .then , if you know what to look for , he is correct.go for it , it aint rocket science, just a push pawl shifter.

 

What he said - the problem is probably one of three things:

1) the shifter pawl detent spring fell off
2) The hit to the shifter bent something in the pawl assembly
3) The bolt that maintains the adjustment in the shifter pawl has loosened.

Pull the primary cover and have a look.

 

Any special tools that someone could recommend I have before jumping into this? I hate realizing I need Tool X when I'm in there and finding that Tool X has to be ordered.

 

Is this going to be #5 in the picture or that thing mounted to the shaft labeled #16?

 

If the newer XLs still use those rasafrassin blasted TORX fasteners, just make sure you've got the proper size so ya don't round out the derby-cover bolts. Other than that - no special tools - allen sockets for the primary cover, open-end wrench to back off the primary chain and clutch cable adjusters, (primary chain locknut is 7/8", IIRC) and a new gasket to reassemble it all.

The BEST tool to have, though - is the Factory Service Manual - well worth the money in time/aggravation saved.

 

LOL - that's where those pictures came from. I've got both the real and the digital copy.

 

Sorry - the pics are blocked here, I think, as none of 'em displayed for me in the thread.

 

Well, then you won't be able to see this linked image either.

The shifter shaft looks like it might be just a little bent, but I've never paid any attention to it before.

Image:

 

Sorry - no pics here.
If the shifter shaft is bent (not the lever) - it's indeed possible that there's somethin' bent under the primary cover. Look at the pics, and you'll see how the shaft is welded, and how the pawl assembly works together. If the detent plate isn't held tightly against the end of the shifter drum, it can slip off the pins on the end of the drum, and just kinda flop back and forth.

Good news is that this is an easy fix, and ya don't even have to pull the primary chain to get at it!

 

Curious, if the shifter or shifter pawl has problem, per poster's info, why it only happens occasionally?