Hi,

I bought an 01 Sportsman 500 for $800 and it needed a little work here and there nothing that costs much money. However, since driving it the shift lever has a lot of play and at times it would not go in High gear. I got it out yesterday and now it won't go in high gear. Should I remove both of the rods and try to mess around with it? I did take the gear selector out just to take a peak. I found that the gear selector won't always move both rod it seems like inside the gear selector box is is loose and won't grab to one rod? There is a little fluid leak and I saw that there are O rings but I am not sure. I can get low gear and reverse. The gearcase was very low on fluid didn't know if that would make a difference. Is the filler where the yellow dip stick is? The front ball joints are loose is there any way to tighten them or are they just needing to be replaced? At time when trying to start it, it will backfire after many time of turning over which is odd any ideas? Any help would be great.

 

the rod joints could be worn out as you say they are very loose. low fluid wouldnt have any effect on the shifting(yes the dip stick is how its filled) some play can be adjusted i beleave thru the rods. as far as the back firing has the carb. been cleaned? how does it run when its running? how dioes the spark plug look? whats the milage on the bike?