Transmission shift cam positions?

[redblk63]

Dianne,

If you are diagnosing by feel, be aware it is difficult to shift without the engine AND the rear wheel turning. If the bike is on a center stand, you can sometimes rock the rear wheel with your right hand while shifting with your left. The best way to check is, of course, by riding.

To help answer your question, I attached a photo of my shifter mechanism. Unfortunately, it is not a good picture of that area, but you may be able to see the shifter to the upper right of the trans input shaft in the center of the side case. There is a spring-loaded roller which rides on the "star wheel". As LM said, that star wheel has 5 depressions, or detents, the roller can drop into. In sequence, they are for 1st gear, neutral (this is a shallow depression IIRC), 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

By the way, if you split your case, consider Xing your gears. For my laid back riding style that made a significant improvement.

Larry - Pasadena

[R100]

Okay, checked out my transmission and it is shifting properly but, since I split the case last week, I have lost my neutral switch. Everything is working down to the connector on the neutral switch wire but the switch isn't closing.
I can't find anything in the manuals about how the neutral switch is activated and the screws holding the neutral switch in place are VERY tight and will have to be broken free with a punch.
WHAT activates the neutral switch? What could cause it to stop working? (I really don't want to open the bottom end again!)

The neutral switch has a small shaft containing a pin that fits into the end of the shift drum. It is keyed by the pin fitting into a radial slot in the end of the shift drum.

[LOUD MOUSE]

When the trans is in NEUTRAL position the switch will be grounded internally.
A test would be to using a VOM on Continuity to test from the case to the end of the wire for Continuity.
SIMPLE. .............................lm

Okay, checked out my transmission and it is shifting properly but, since I split the case last week, I have lost my neutral switch. Everything is working down to the connector on the neutral switch wire but the switch isn't closing.

I can't find anything in the manuals about how the neutral switch is activated and the screws holding the neutral switch in place are VERY tight and will have to be broken free with a punch.

WHAT activates the neutral switch? What could cause it to stop working? (I really don't want to open the bottom end again!)

[DianneB]

When the trans is in NEUTRAL position the switch will be grounded internally.
A test would be to using a VOM on Continuity to test from the case to the end of the wire for Continuity.
SIMPLE. .............................lm

Done that - no continuity to ground in neutral - trying to figure out why.

[LOUD MOUSE]

Remove the switch.
Look at the place the wire is soldered to the switch.. ................lm

When the trans is in NEUTRAL position the switch will be grounded internally.
A test would be to using a VOM on Continuity to test from the case to the end of the wire for Continuity.
SIMPLE. .............................lm

Done that - no continuity to ground in neutral - trying to figure out why.

[DianneB]

Remove the switch.
Look at the place the wire is soldered to the switch.. ..............

Thanks Mouse, I will check that.

Is the 'stub' on the neutral switch moved by something in the transmission or does is just make electrical contact with something in the transmission?

[LOUD MOUSE]

Take it off and look at it.
The answer is there. ..............lm

Remove the switch.
Look at the place the wire is soldered to the switch.. ..............

Thanks Mouse, I will check that.

Is the 'stub' on the neutral switch moved by something in the transmission or does is just make electrical contact with something in the transmission?