Motorcycle Repair: hi mike i recently purchased..., harley davidson service, xlh

Question
hi mike
i recently purchased my first bike a 91 xlh 883 just before the winter and was able to get only a few days of riding in before it was to cold. with the plans of customizing it myself in the off season.i thought i did a good job until it was time to start it up.you see i change the stock primary cover for a chrome one,and added forward controls i thought it went well but the bike won't start. the shifter moves but does not incage.i adjusted the cluch cable hoping that was the problem but that made no differance.i have been using the harley davidson service manual as my guide and i think i followed the directions correctly.please let me know if there is something that i may have overlooked.

eager to ride
randy dupuis

Answer
You sound like you ahve two different problems here.
First, on the starting, are you getting any spark at the plug? Do you see any gas being pumped into the intake when you twist the throttle?
Second, on the shifting problem. Get the rear tire off the ground and spin the rear tire without the motor running. Without using the clutch you should be able to shift gears.
Can you shift?
Mike