Originally Posted by timmymacnj

So just as I was about to break down and take it into the shop (extreme budget issues prevented this) I decided to see what I could try to figure these things out at least partially. Maybe this thread will help another newbie at some point:

1. Forgive my poor nomenclature on this one. I figured the reverse issue had to be tied into the spring pulled cable coming off the rear brake pedal and going up. Traced it out and it was going to the shifter. Took some stuff apart to get at it, and sure enough, the "cylinder" that is at the end of the cable the retracts to allow for shifting was bent. I am guessing that it was getting caught on the lip of the housing preventing it from shifting. Unscrewed enough threads on it so it is out of the way for now until I get cash for a replacement.

2. I commented about the differential in another thread from way back. Same problem others had experienced, lever switch "pulled" out and had to be reset. Not too easy, but once you know what it is, pretty simple. Learning it if you have never seen it before is the hard part.

3. As suspected this was an electrical safety cut off. Inspecting the bike, I found that there was a switch broken near the two point hitch on the rear. Since it was broken anyway, I cut it off and used to spade connectors to short it together. Works great.

Almost all set, still have to remove the carb and have it cleaned, but man it feels good to have this much progress as a beginner!