Topic: Help, Did The Bike Mover Mess Up My Transmission???

[RookieCB350]

I had someone transport my 1972 CB350F on the back of a pick-up truck. When they were unloading it, I heard one of them say they had engaged it into a gear so the bike would not shift around too much while being moved.  It was strapped down but had a little slack so they decided to lock the wheels by putting it in gear.

After it was unloaded, the bike had trouble finding neutral when I tried to start it.  I rode it a couple miles around the neighborhood and it seemed to shift through the gears okay.  On the next day, I can't shift it passed second and the e starter or kick starter won't start the bike. Its touchy and seems to be spotty when engaging gears and not catching.

Did these guy mess up my bike? Is it bad (expensive to fix or can i do it myself?).

[lone*X]

These transmissions are not that weak.  People bump start these bikes and use the rear wheel to break free frozen cylinders.  Shifting around in the back of a pickup in gear should not have harmed the transmission.  But then again, anything is possible.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Stomping on the gear shift lever repeatedly without rocking it or engaging the clutch can damage it.  Who knows what really happened, but if all the symptoms are new, you need documentation from a shop to estimate repairs and then approach them for compensation.  If they refuse, that is the same documentation you will need in small claims court.  You need an estimate on shop letterhead. 

[RookieCB350]

Thanks for the replies lone*X and KingCustoms.  Much appreciated.