My wifes Lakota is having some issues with first gear engagment. In the winter I don't ride the T4 much in snow due to traction loss. Anyway, the easiest way to get it in first is to put it in reverse and then go to first. And when going from neutral to first you actually got to reach down and pull up on the shifter to get it to engage. Once in gear everthing is fine and even shifting from 1st-5th is okay (maybee a slight bit notchier than normal). I have adjusted the cluctch a few times and that don't help. I have the Service manual that Kawasaki used for service techs but it has no trouble shooting section like an automotive service manual has. I have worked as an auto tech and I'm in the engineering industry but these are a bit different. In a Manual automotive trans I would say the syncronisers are the prob but the Lakota is not the same set-up. I will do more reaserch in my manual but I thought it would be easier to check here first, then tear the Lakota apart. It would probably be okay yet if I didn't ride it because I am hard on machines. I have owned many quads and never had a trans prob and a couple were even the same auto clutch manual shift as the Lakota (they were a 1983 185S and a 1985 250SX). Any input is appreciated.

 

Could it be the shifting linkage?

 

Could it be the shifting linkage?