Just brought home my first Kawi ATV tonight, and unknown model year (late 80's or early 90's) Bayou 220. The VIN number is partially scraped and rusted from riding offroad so I'll have to do some closer checking to see if I can reveal the number. It's been sitting a while and has a few things to deal with, but it was cheap and I figured it was worth the risk.
The previous owner said that it has a problem in that sometimes when you put it in neutral, start the engine and then put it in gear it takes off backwards rather than forwards. Not being familiar with these bikes, can anyone shed some light as to what the problem might be? I hate to split the case if it's not necessary, but hope to get it running before too long.

 

should have some sort of lever you need to push to engage reverse, some were on the handle bar, you pushed a button then put gear shift into gear, others were on the side of engine, any way I would start there, must be gettin engaged ,then when you put it in gear it goes backwards, the ones on handlebars were cable operated

 

This model has a **** (which actuates a cable) on the left side of the gas tank that you twist to put it into reverse. Does anyone know if this mechanism was particularly problematic?