Topic: 1981 CB650C - 3rd gear not engaging

[ejp]

I picked this up recently. The previous owner worked on restoring this bike extensively. It appears not much has been untouched in an effort to restore. 

Unfortunately for him he got sick and was not able to finish the last 10% and did not get to ride it.  At which point it became mine.

I have it running well now after lots of effort but at that moment when all the reward comes (test ride) I found that third gear will not engage.  I have removed the clutch and the linkage appears to be doing its job, just not engaging 3rd.

Any advice beyond removing the engine for further discovery?

Thanks in advance.

[grcamna2]

Welcome.  Will it up-shift into 4th & 5th,then downshift all the way back to 2nd,1st & neutral:all except 2nd ?
You may need to split the crankcases to determine exactly which transmission parts need replacement.

Put the bike on it's centerstand to check all this.

[fizzlebottom]

Splitting the cases is the only territory I have not braved in my 650. Is it otherwise shifting smoothly between 1, neutral, and 2nd? Is the clutch adjusted properly and do you know any condition of the internals?

Just trying to make sure everything ready is covered before you might have to break things open.

[ejp]

Welcome.  Will it up-shift into 4th & 5th,then downshift all the way back to 2nd,1st & neutral:all except 2nd ?
You may need to split the crankcases to determine exactly which transmission parts need replacement.

Put the bike on it's centerstand to check all this.

Thanks for the response.

I gave the bike on the center stand and am cycling through gears by spinning the rear wheel and using my hand on the shifter. I can see the linkage working but when it is in what ‘should’ be third gear it just spins. No gear engaged.

When I took it for a brief ride it did engage 3rd once or twice but was very hard to engage and popped out of gear immediately once gas was given.

Bike is low mileage but does show that the cases have been apart previously so wondering if there may have been an error in assembly.

[ejp]

Splitting the cases is the only territory I have not braved in my 650. Is it otherwise shifting smoothly between 1, neutral, and 2nd? Is the clutch adjusted properly and do you know any condition of the internals?

Just trying to make sure everything ready is covered before you might have to break things open.
[/quote

I ‘think’ clutch is adjusted correctly. Followed the manual and can engage other gears with the bike running and leave normally in 1st gear. Open to the idea that I have done it wrong though. Would much rather that than disassembly. ]

[bryanj]

Sound like the dogs on the gear are broken off, only way to be certain is engine out and bottom case off