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About (Sidecar) Bob Kingsmill
Expertise
I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH HARELYS. ATVs ARE NOT MOTORCYCLES. DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT THEM. DON'T ASK UNLESS YOU HAVE LOOKED IN THE SHOP MANUAL FIRST - IT ONLY ROBS SOMEONE WITH A REAL QUESTION OF THE OPPORTUNITY. You can ask me electrical questions about 1975-85 HONDAS. You can ask me about driving sidecars in the winter, or sidecars in general. You can ask me general motorcycle repair questions, but my main experience is with Honda CX500, GL500, CX650, GL650, GL1000 and GL1100 models. I also know a bit about the Suzuki GS400 and 1980s Dneprs, but I haven't touched either in years. If you ask about a model I am not familiar with I will do my best to find your answer.

Experience
I have been operating and maintaining Honda motorcycles since 1991 and other types since 1985. I have access to several online usergroups that specialize in keeping these types of bikes roadworthy and am considered an expert in some areas, particularly electrical/wiring matters. I have been using sidecars for everyday winter transportation in Southern Ontario since 1987 except for 2 winters on a trike. I have learned how to make this a relatively comfortable activity and how to prepare the machine so that it survives the road salt.

Organizations
Naked Gold Wings; Honda Transverse Twins of America

Education/Credentials
Electronics & acoustics technician. Correspondence courses in motorcycle repair & small engines.

You are here: Experts > Shopping > Motorcycles > Motorcycle Repair > Shifter Pedal

Motorcycle Repair - Shifter Pedal

Expert: (Sidecar) Bob Kingsmill - 10/28/2009

Question
I bought a 1983 Honda VT750C Shadow about 6 months ago. One day when I was riding it the shifter pedal dangled free. What I mean is you can move it up and down and the bike doesn't shift into any gears. I turned the bike off and now I can't get it started because the bike isn't in neutral. The shifter pedal just dangles freely and can move in all positions from the position that it would be in to down shift to the position it would be in when it up shift,and all positions in between. I just want to know what the possible causes for this would be and possible fixes, I'm a car mechanic and I know the differences of a motorcycle and a car but with a shop manual like I have I'm sure I could figure it out. Thank you

Answer
It sounds like the linkage between the shaft the pedal attaches to and the shift drum has disengaged. I'm not sure if the cover(s) that need to be removed to access the linkage (commonly a pair of gear segments) can be taken off without removing the engine from the frame, but I'm sure the folks at the Honda Shadow Resource Center will and they will be more than happy to share their knowledge with you http://hondashadow.net/forum/

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