Stuck in Neutral

[rallycourt]

Hey all I'm new to the Banshee world and the site. I just bought a 97 Banshee and took it out to glamis. Rode it for 2 days out there with now problems then i got a ticket and it got towed for no registration... Ops hehe. Anyway I get the bike back the next day and unload it from the truck to go ride. I start the bike and its not going into 1st gear. So i try 2nd and it wont go in either. Mess around a bit and it finally goes into 1st. Park it next to the camper in neutral and chill at the cap site till night time. Then everyone decides to go for a night ride. So i put my gear on and start the bike, get ready to leave and again it wont go into 1st! Try going to 2nd... nothing. Rock the bike back and forth trying to shift it into gear thinking it might just need to be rolled over a bit but, still nothing. After five min. of trying to shift into any gear and adjusting the clutch lever in and out i say screw it and ended up drinking all night. That morning i got up and tried the same stuff with the bike not running and got no where. Decided to drain the oil to look for metal flakes thinking maybe a tooth broke off inside on a gear. Filtered all the oil only to find nothing. Not sure what oil the previous owner was using but it smelt real bad like it was old and burnt. I can look down through the hole where the oil dip stick is and see a little claw that moves up and down when i move the shift lever up and down. Looks like it is suppose to hit a little bar down in there. Not real sure what to do next. Add new oil and see if it fixes it or take the side cover off the motor so i can look in there better and see if anything is bent/broken? Any advise on what would cause this and how i can fix it would be very helpful! Thanks in advance

[Larry's Shee]

Welcome to BHQ !! Seems most first posts are for problems . First thing to do is get a Clymers Repair manual , best tool in your tool box !! Now as for as your problem , Pull clutch cover (drain coolant first ) and inspect external shift mechanisim. My guess is either broken spring , pawl , or shift star came loose from end of shift drum. Hope this helps point you in right direction. As far as oil PLEASE search !! Has been covered a BILLION times (well only 498). This is for both tranny and premix. BTW , post back with what you find , thanks .JMHO , your results may vary .

Edited December 1, 2010 by Larry's Shee

[AKheathen]

welcome to the site.....most common cause of this problem is the shift shaft jumped off the star pegs. it's usually caused by worn shaft end, or clutch cover....

[rallycourt]

ok thanks for the pointers on where to start. I'll have to see if one of the local shops sells that repair manual before I start digging into it this weekend. When I pull the clutch cover off the left side are there seals, and are they re-useable? Or should I just put some on order now because they will be no good?

[Larry's Shee]

99% you'll need clutch cover gasket. 2qts of trans oil (doesn't use quite all). Inspect waterpump gear , and kick starter ideler gear. If idel gear is loose it can cause clip to pop off and cause LOTS of damage. I don't have to worry cause P.O. welded the washer to the shaft . Inspect O-ring on coolant tube where it plugs into back of waterpump. Might consider an Allen head bolt set for covers while you're at it. Should be able to do this even if shop doesn't have manual in stock. Put a little white grease , antifreeze , spit , or KY jelly on O-ring for assembly , some put grease on the gasket so it doesn't stick for future work , myself if the surfaces are butched up I use gasket sealer. Post up what you find , or if you have more ???. Some one will always help. BTW, shift claw might have jumped off from extreme rough handleing from impound .

Edited December 2, 2010 by Larry's Shee

[rallycourt]

Well I finally had time to rip her open today and this is what I found. I've never seen the insides of a banshee but it seems that the little claw thing that goes around the star is broken and missing the top half. I'm I correct? The Manual I have shows a picture in black and white but its not detailed enough to see if this claw should have a topside to it. It has a rough edge on the top like there is material missing....

 

 

 

[12 0 Clock P I M P]

yes there should be a piece the same on top catching that star on top and bottom

[rallycourt]

Could you tell me the actual name of that part? Thanks

[AKheathen]

wow, didn't expect that one, lol......... check your eccentric screw and don't ever force the shifter down. just replace the whole shift shaft. you might as well pull it out now and check the seals and bearings.

[Sandfrk33]

Did you find the broken piece?

[rallycourt]

Ya I ended up finding the other piece stuck in between the case cover and the gasket just below the clutch assembly.

[Jereme6655]

wow.....looks like you got a fair amount of metal shavings laying in the bottom under your shift shaft.....

[bigblockbanshee]

You don't know how lucky you are for just having only that damage. May as well yank it out and go through the whole motor if you want it to last you a long time. You know, do everything at once while you've got it out of the frame so you don't have to worry about it. BTW not sure what kind of manual you have but do not go to your dealer for a Clymer. I got mine on eBay for around $20 shipped. My local dealer charges $39.95 plus tax.