Motorcycle Repair: transmission, honda interceptor, clutch pack

Question
i have a 1986 honda interceptor vf500 13000 miles

hello my bike was put away for the winter and when i took it out this spring i can not get it out of neutral?!  i try to move the shift lever by hand and sometimes it moves and sometimes it does not. but even when it moves to what seems to be "IN" gear it is still in neutral! is it the clutch?

thanks for your time

gary

Answer
IF the shift mechanism is okay, you should be able to select the gears by rocking the bike back and forth, while moving the lever. If you can do this, then the transmission is probably okay.

You may be experiencing clutch release issues...
either the plates are stuck together from sitting for a long time and the clutch pack is not spreading apart to disengage the transmission OR the hydraulic system (clutch master and slave cylinders) are in need of bleeding or overhaul.

Sometimes, you can get the bike started, roll it into a safe area, drop it in gear and hold the clutch lever in while you rev the motor a little bit, in order to break the plates loose, if that is the problem. Otherwise, you need to drain the oil, buy some seals and gaskets, remove the clutch cover and check the clutch assy over and separate the plates by hand.

Bill Silver