I picked up a 2000 Prairie that looks really good, good tires in back, decent usable tires up front. I starts and runs but smoke like a freight train so I am gonna tear into it. I picked it up for 200 bucks so I think I did ok. the 4 wheel drive works, fronts pull. The motor sounds really really good so I think the bottom end will be fine. Hopefully just needs the top rebuilt. You can stick your finger in the muffler and get it wet with oil.

Anyway, the reason I post is that like so many I see on here, the shifter will NOT go from reverse to forward without a major fight. I have saw several post on here with their fixes, usually something in the lever itself or the lever button or linkage. I think mine may be different. The reason I say this is that say it is in reverse, it will not go into forward. BUT I can get off the bike and push it forward or push it backward, then it will shift like a hot knife through butter. Could it be something with the clutch? I have done the jumper wire by the battery mod so it will start in gear, this helps some, but would like to know where to start looking for my cure.

Lastly I saw on some posts from 2007 where some people put in stage 1 K and N filters and a jet kit in carb. Can anyone tell me the exact kit I would need? Thanks so much.

 

Parts fiche looks like the same shifter as my 2000 Prairie 400.

Take the seat and tank off. Petcock **** is held on by phillips screw, take that off.

Disconnect the shift linkage going to engine. It is a threaded deal on both ends, comes off easy.

Remove the plastic cover piece on shifter which shows what gear you are in.

Remove like 3 bolts then the whole shifter lever assy comes out.

Remove the big nut on the assy housing.

Once inside you will see it is very simple. My grease on the o-rings was nasty so I cleaned it all up and regreased and it works great.

I also removed the square key that the shift unit pushbutton thingy uses to lock it in reverse and low. Works great now and no need to remember to push the button.

Now, if this simple process fails to correct, you may have a bigger prob inside the motor because I've heard that if too much force is used to shift, the aluminum shift forks inside motor can bend.

Also, make sure the idle speed is set low enough and I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look at the belt before you decide you may have to tear into the motor.