went to look at a 1997 honda foreman 400s that was for sale.bike has low mileage and runs great but is really hard to shift.it shifts from neutral to reverse real easy but from neutral on up it will run through the gears but it feels like excessive force is needed.im hoping that a fresh oil change and a clutch adjustment will solve this issue,but am wondering what else i might be into. i cuurently own a 1998 foreman 400s that i bought new so this is how im able to feel the difference. thanks

 

There are a few faults that can cause gearchange problems but usually stop it changing at all. A loose star wheel on the end of the shift drum is common, as is a cracked pawl on the mechanism that moves the star wheel round. The lever which operates the pawl can break, but this stops the change altogether. On 350s I have known the rod, that the selector forks slide on, to break through the casting of the crankcase and wobble about, leading to stiff changes. All of these can be checked once you remove the clutch cover.

 

thanks for the reply merryman.can this inspection be done without removng the engine? looks like i better buy a service manual. cheers.

 

Yes also get oil and engine warm up good an change ol and filter then adj clutch after cools down some

 

thanks and will do when i go get it on saturday.

 

On some in-line engined Hondas you need to remove the front prop shaft, which requires the front diff to be moved forwards, but you don't need the engine out to remove the clutch cover.

 

thanks again.