LT230 Will shift into every gear but first
 

Hi,

I recently bought a 87 LT230E for $100. This is my first ATV and I was just looking for a winter restoration project. I bought it off a friend who just wanted it out of his garage. It is fairly beat up, and the electrical is shot. I got it running and idling but it won't shift into first. Reverse works and it shifts into all the other gears. So my first question is what is the exact procedure for shifting into first? I have never ridden a semi-auto before. I honestly thought the clutch was missing when I bought it. My other question is what could be wrong with first? Does the electrical effect the clutch/first gear? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I did some searching around but couldn't find anything that helped.

Ok, just found some info online that says neutral is all the way down and then 1-5 are shifted up. The sticker on the plastic says 1 is down and 2-5 are up. This may be why I couldn't get in first lol. Can someone confirm the shift pattern? I would love for this to be the problem.

I dont think it can be 1 down 4 up unless it has a clutch. If it does not have a clutch then it should be all up. Also it should have an electric start with pull start backup correct?

Thanks for the reply, It seems I was trying to fix a problem that didn't exist. The body must have been off a manual ATV. I like these problems that don't cost me anything.

So just curios was what your problem then? Reading the wrong shift pattern on the plastics?

Ya, the whole time I have been in neutral trying to shift down into first. The shift pattern on the plastic said down was first. Couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work, now I just feel stupid.

The plastics from an lt230s manual are the same plastics as an lt230e auto, thats why.

Dont feel stupid everyone has there moments lol

I'm just glad I snagged this for $100. So far all I have done is cleaned the carb and it seems ride-able. Only problem now is finding a place to ride in MA.

Yeah if it runs, for $100 you cant beat that, I think I seen a post on here for MA riders, I don't know the laws up that way but down here in PA, you need to get the ATV registered in your name, have insurance etc to ride on a "riding clubs" land or on state property. And I know down here if you get caught without the ATV being registered, they impound them.

Got my 230 s running. Burning up the yard.