Motorcycle Repair: Moving/Shifting, honda model, honda shadow

Question
The bike starts up alright, but when you shift into first it won't move.  I let a friend borrow it for a quick run and appaerently the guy's never been on a bike before, so shame on me.  he comes back with the bike acting funny.  I can shift into any gear, but it acts like it is still in neutral, and when you let the clutch out whether it's in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th it stays running but doesn't move.  Electrical is fine and the chain is tight where it is supposed to be.  The bike is a 2003 Honda Shadow A.C.E., 750 cc.  Is there maybe a neutral switch that is stuck, or does this sound very serious.  Please help me.

Answer
Hi Jeff,

I think the shifting lever and mechanism is damaged, a spring came off, or is otherwise defective in some manner. The neutral switch is for the dash light and safety switch. It will not cause this kind of problem.

See the parts here:

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/oem_schematic_view.asp?sche...

I recommend having the problem checked by a local shop. This may require some dissasembly to repair or diagnose.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively