Topic: 77 CB400F Will Not Shift

[destroyer]

I was getting ready to hook the battery up to my CB400F.  I put a new clutch cable on so that I can put it in neutral once it starts, and I realized that it will not shift at all.  It is locked in gear, but the pistons move freely when I kick it over.   I am not sure if the clutch ever worked properly, as the bike was not working when I got it, but everything looks mechanically correct.  I have taken the right side of the case off and the clutch plates are not stuck together.  What else do I need to try to test to diagnose my issue? 

[Roach]

is your cable adjusted properly?
try gently rocking the bike back and forth with the clutch in and try to pop it into neutral.

[destroyer]

Yes, the cable is adjusted properly and rocking it does nothing.  If I start it in this state, will it loosen itself up?

[Roach]

hard to say. if you do keep the clutch in!!!

my 550 got stuck after siting all winter its free now and all is good. maybe all it needs is a warm up of the oil?

[N.S.Dave]

Check that the linkage at the shift lever is not too tight.

[Bodi]

The clutch and transmission are separate components.
Do you mean "the clutch won't release" or "the gearshift is not working"?
No point in fiddling with the clutch if you have a gearshift problem.
The gear shift operates a complicated mechanism that rotates the shiftdrum which has grooves connected to pins in the shift forks, which actually move the various gears axially on the main and lay shafts, engaging "dogs" on the sides of the gears to transmit power to the sprocket. There are many components in this mechanism that can and do wear out. You should be able to shift gear on a non-running engine with the clutch in (or stuck) by rocking the sprocket back and forth while pushing or pulling the shift lever.

[destroyer]

The sprocket spins freely, like it is in neutral, but the gears are locked up.   I had assume it was the clutch not releasing, but now I am not sure.

[Roach]

try siting on the bike and rocking it back and forth may take a bunch at the same time try going from first to second