Motorcycle Repair: 1999 YZF 600R Yamaha, shift linkage, broken spring

Question
Wayne, recently while riding ,the bike made a strange noise around the transmission area and I lost all gears but first and second. With the motor off I can rock the bike back and forth and get it in all gears but with the motor running I have only first and second. Any Ideas?
Thanks, Andy in Virginia

Answer
Andy,

-i suspect a problem with the shift shaft or spring,
possibly the shift stopper/spring.
-Make sure your shift linkage looks okay, not
bent or too much slack.
-The shifter assy is under a cover on the left
side above the front sprocket.
-If there is no cover there, the shifter
is under the clutch cover.
-the parts I mentioned turn the shift drum
to shift the gears and the stopper holds
it in gear lightly.
-Likely a broken spring or part in that assembly.
-Not too difficult to fix.