Trying to help an old timer friend with his Rancher.

While driving down his driveway which is on a slight incline he stopped to turn around and put it in reverse. The bike wouldn't shift any more, was wondering if he bent a shifting fork or hopefully something simpler. The bike is now stuck in 1st. or 2nd. gear he is not sure. The shifter does move up and down with spring tension but doesn't click into gear. It will not start now because it won't go into neutral.
Questions?
Could something in the reverse procedure switching cause it to not shift?
Would the motor have to be removed and cases split to do a transmission job?
Approximately how much would it cost to have a dealer do the job?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I had this happen to me 2 times over the course of my ownership of an 01 rancher fe. What you need to do is turn the key on and put in on a flat, frictional surface like concrete. Then just pull/push the bike back and forth while trying to shift it. Mine eventually went back into gear after a minute or 2. Easy fix, but known to happen every once in a while.

 

just jump on your atv and rock it back and forth or front and back and keep pushing down on the shifter, it sounds kinda dumb but it should work

 

Aquire the serial number of the unit, It is located ahead of the front upper control arm mount, a flat plate near where the front rack/bumper mounts to the frame, it is stamped in there, Now contact the local Honda dealer and inquire if this unit qualifies for the shifter arm update.
On some earlier Ranchers, a bad shift arm was manufactured, and will be replaced by Honda under warranty with an improved unit if found to be within the serial number range.
The problem is, the plates function is to rotate the star wheel on the end of the shift drum. Two tabs are stamped downward that catch the wheel to shift the drum. Some of the units will crack a tab at the base and 'spread out' not alowing the tab ro engage the drum, or move it far enough to shift the drum one way to a gear.
I believe this is what has happened

----- Gimpster -----