Motorcycle Repair: down shifting, honda shadow sabre, drum groove

Question
I have a Honda Shadow/sabre, sometimes when down shifting, she will not go into 1st gear, but stop in second no matter what i do.  I have had to take off from stop lights in 2nd gear sometimes.  At the next stop though, she will downshift normally.  What is the possible cause. my bike is a 2002 with only 1200 miles.

Answer
Hi Terry,

Sorry for the delay in replying. My ISP was down for service.

It's normal for MC transmissions not to engage in first while in motion. However, if this is not the case, then a tech needs to ride and experience the problem to accurately diagnose the cause.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively



Gear Shifting Faulty:

Doesn't go into gear; shift pedal doesn't return:

Clutch not disengaging
Shift fork bent or seized
Gear stuck on the shaft
Gear position lever binding
Shift return spring weak or broken
Shift return spring pin loose
Shift mechanism arm spring broken
Shift mechanism arm broken
Shift pawl broken

Jumps out of gear:

Shift fork worn
Gear groove worn
Gear dogs and/or dog holes worn
Shift drum groove worn
Gear positioning lever spring weak or broken
Shift fork pin worn
Drive shaft, output shaft, and/or gear splines worn

Overshifts:

Gear positioning lever spring weak or broken
Shift mechanism arm spring broken