Motorcycle Repair: Sticking shifter, kawasaki vulcan 500, shift linkage

Question
Hi Bill,

I've got a 97 Kawasaki Vulcan 500...

Lately, the shifter has been 'sticking'...

It's not letting me shift gears correctly.

I do notice some "in and out" play in the shifter.

Can you tell me why it would stick?

Thanks,


Paula

Answer
Paula, I am not much of an expert on late model Kawis, but I can put out a few clues for you...

The internal shift linkage has a return spring that is designed to center the shifter shaft after you have shifted either up or down. If the spring breaks, then the shaft stays in whatever gear it is moved to. This is an internal part and would require at least pulling the clutch cover for access to shifter parts. Not a real common problem, however.

IF you or someone else has "tipped over" with the bike, they often land on the shift lever, which then transfers the force into the shift shaft. Depending on the impact, the shaft can either bend or be pushed into the cases.
When bent, the shaft will bind in the engine side cover.

I just logged onto http://www.powersportspro.com/partsfish/displayfiche.asp
and looked for a 500 Vulcan.... all I found for 1997 is the ZL600 in their listings, so the info may or may not apply to your machine.

Also check the shift lever, which is held with a pinch bolt arrangement to the shaft. Be sure that the bolt is tight so the shaft and lever are securely fitted. IF loose, the shifter will just jump on the splines and not engage the shift linkage.

Hope that gives you some ideas...

Bill Silver