1973 Honda CB750

[gmoney]

I just recently purchased a '73 CB750 and everything runs smoothly except for the gears. I have not tried them but it seems that it will only shift from Neutral to First and back. I can press down on the gear pedal but it will only go down. There is no click nor will the gears engage. I am afraid to have to take the entire engine apart to repair the transmission but at this point I think I will have to. Can anyone recommend anything else to try or point me to a writeup of how to proceed.

[Rick V]

If you are trying to shift while the bike is stationary it will not work. Bikes don't have constant mesh transmissions so the gears have to rotate to engage. Try rocking the bike back and forth while trying to shift gears .
Rick

[vern401]

Try this but be careful!!! Put the bike on a solid surface. Now put it on the belly stand so that the rear tire is OFF the ground. Put it in neutral, and start the bike. Now pull in the clutch LEAVE IT IDELING and put it in first gear and slowly let the clutch out. The rear tire should now be spinning. Pull in the clutch and try to go into second gear and let the clutch out. The rear tire should pick up speed.

[Barsbond]

If anyone has had the side cover off and did not use the proper thickness gasket it will not shift.