Topic: cb550 gear shift issues (super lost)

[docroxo]

So i bought a 1976 cb550 that had been sitting out for years. When I finally got it running I couldn't shift past 3rd gear. I took the motor off the frame and now have it sitting on a table. I can make shift into 1st, neutral, and 2nd no problem, but getting it to other gears I have to wiggle the chain sprocket back and forth it to shift. The other problem is that it seems to slip into neutral between other gears as well. Any ideas? I am completely lost and just want to ride this beast.

[docroxo]

Any ideas?

[luap]

bad seals, broken gear, clutch plates/metal plates, oil couple of guess's

[TwoTired]

Do you you have the Honda Shop Manual?

Possibilities:
Shift fork
Shift drum
Check the shifting "rachet" behind the clutch basket. There is a spring there that breaks, which hold a pawl centered in a notched wheel.
(drain oil first)
See Chapter 16 of the HSM

[docroxo]

I uploaded a couple of photos of the shift forks. Can anyone tell if these are excessively worn or not? I couldn't find a spec in the manual. Everything else previously suggested seemed to check out.

[TwoTired]

Find the notch/slot in the drum where the forks fit into.  Measure it's internal width of the slot.
Measure the external width tips of the fork.
Subtract one from the other.

That is the existing clearance.

The important thing is that the clearance be low enough for a tight fit, yet allow free spinning.
The forks and/or the drum slot can wear.

I don't think we can tell if they are worn too far from the pictures, as we can't see the contact faces (fork or drum), or the relationship that exists between them.