Topic: Restricted to 1st gear and Neutral only

[grcamna2]

Ok,good.
What condition are the 5) pins in? I hope they're still round.

Are you referring to the pins below? If so, then there are only 4 pins and they look good.

Great 

[bryanj]

The spring and cap SHOULD only affect the neutral detent/ hold function.
Honda realised this system and modified it fairly quicky, i strongly advise you to read the bulletin and get the parts from a later 500 to fit, it makes the gearchange/ neutral detent  way better
I have tried to attach the bulletin in pdf formay

[dave500]

ive never even seen this early version of this mechanism and ive had more than a few 500s,its a fickle thing thats why it was upgraded/modified in the 500s then reworked totally on the 550s,i wouldnt persist with fixing that earlier type?id try and find a later unit or 550 unit,youll be a lot happier with the out come,ive busted a couple of improved 500 transmissions and found the 550s to be some much better and smoother all over,mind you i aint been easy on them,the 550 is a stronger transmission and clutch full stop.

[rotortiller]

Why for does the ratchet travel full one way and is restricted the other (up shift)? See spring and pin stop in second video.

[pekingduck]

This ball and socket pivot is typically used on automotive carb linkages, probably from around the 1940s on. Pulling out the wire clip allows it to come apart and go back together quickly.  When mounted as in the provided picture, it allows unlimited rotation.  If it is determined this is the cause of your problem, you could take an old shifter, cut to length and drill a hole in it to mount the pivot properly.

[CB500FK0]

i strongly advise you to read the bulletin and get the parts from a later 500 to fit, it makes the gearchange/ neutral detent  way better.

@bryanj, I've already been acquiring the parts listed below for the post CB500E-1018727 models and I'm now just waiting for them to arrive. Although, I'm not sure why the bulletin lists a new crankcase cover since the one prior to CB500E-1018728 model looks the same.

• 24446-323-000 Shift drum guide screw ✔️
• 24447-323-000 Guide screw collar ✔️
• 24436-323-000 Neutral stopped cam plate ✔️
• 24437-323-000 Gearshift drum pin ✔️
• 24440-323-000 Shift drum neutral stopper complete ✔️
• 24430-323-000 Shift drum stopper complete ✔️
• 24435-323-000 Shift drum stopper spring ✔️
• 24438-323-000 Shift drum stopper collar ✔️
• 22850-323-000 Clutch lifter rod ✔️
• 23106-323-000 Oil guide plate ✔️
• 93500-06016 Screw 6x16 ✔️
• 11394-323-010 Right crankcase cover gasket ✔️
• 90434-286-000 Washer, lock 12mm ✔️
• 91204-286-003 Oil seal 18x29z7 ✔️

[bryanj]

The cover is a slightly different shape to fit round the oil guide plate

[CB500FK0]

The cover is a slightly different shape to fit round the oil guide plate

Hah! I see it now. Thank you for pointing that out. Cheers!

[70CB750]

I went for a short Sunday ride to grab some coffee. Everything was functioning perfectly until it was time to head back home. At that point, I was only able to engage first gear or set it to neutral. I couldn't shift into the higher gears anymore. I've already checked the oil level, clutch cable, clutch lever free play (which is within spec), as well as the clutch adjuster. I removed the crankcase cover and I didn't see any abnormal except I might need to replace the spring. Despite my efforts, I'm at a loss for what else to inspect. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Red would not let me shift higher than three.  It was the cover, all it took was tu losen the bolt next to the shifter. 

[CB500FK0]

I strongly advise you to read the bulletin and get the parts from a later 500 to fit, it makes the gearchange/ neutral detent  way better

@bryanj, I have now modified/upgraded the shift mechanism with all the parts listed in the bulletin. Unfortunately, I'm still not able to shift into higher gears (2nd and beyond).

[dave500]

youve got to rock the input and output shafts back n forth to get the gears to engage,it wont work if the shafts are stationary!

[scottly]

If it still doesn't shift when turning the shafts like Dave says, try rotating the lever on the  shifter shaft forward one spline tooth, then lengthen the rod to get the toe piece back into the desired position.

[CB500FK0]

youve got to rock the input and output shafts back n forth to get the gears to engage,it wont work if the shafts are stationary!

@Dave, The shaft that I am able to rotate back and forth is the one indicated below, but it still doesn't shift to 2nd gear. Is that the shaft you are referring to as the input shaft, and if so, which one would be considered the output shaft?

If it still doesn't shift when turning the shafts like Dave says, try rotating the lever on the  shifter shaft forward one spline tooth, then lengthen the rod to get the toe piece back into the desired position.

@scotty, I did that already and it didn't work.

[scottly]

No, I meant the linkage on the outside, that you shift with your foot.
Edit: missed your edit. Have you moved it one more spline tooth from the picture?

[dave500]

try rocking the bike itself back and forth as you try aswell,the chain will try and turn the output shaft.
the shaft the clutch splines onto is called the main shaft,the shaft which has the chain sprocket is the counter shaft,aka input and output shafts.

maybe remove the left side cover and be sure nothing is hanging up on the neutral light switch?its a black plastic egg shaped thing screwed onto the end of the shift drum.

[bryanj]

At standstill you need to rotate BOTH shafts to get above second or down to second

[RAFster122s]

With bike on center stand moving the rear wheel should allow you to shift gears to 2nd and above... without moving the rear wheel 8t will shift one or possibly two gears and then shift no more. Never been on a bike, even modern ones that would allow you to change gears more than a couple positions without movement of the bike back and forth or moving a bit to allow the transmission gears and shift dogs to rotate and mesh.

[Little_Phil]

As said, simultaneously push up on the gear lever and rotate rear wheel and clutch spline. These are straight cut gears and may (will) clash. Seeing very little movement on the mechanism on the up stroke on the vid.

[CB500FK0]

Moving the gear lever while simultaneously rotating the rear wheel and clutch spline as shown below, I am still unable to engage second gear or any higher gears.

Could it be an issue with the gear shift spindle or does anyone have any other suggestion?

[scottly]

Please post a close-up video of the external linkage on the other side while trying to shift the bike.

[CB500FK0]

Please post a close-up video of the external linkage on the other side while trying to shift the bike.

@scottly, Here is the video, which I hope helps in diagnosing the problem. Thank you!

[rotortiller]

Can you shift through the gears using a hex wrench on the shift drum with the ratchet shaft disengaged? That will help pinpoint areas of concern.

[CB500FK0]

Can you shift through the gears using a hex wrench on the shift drum with the ratchet shaft disengaged?

Yes, I can shift through the gears with the ratchet shaft disengaged.

[pekingduck]

Can you put the stock shifter back in place?   

[bryanj]

The shaft can have no effect but if the point of the "tooth" that engages the pins is damaged that would