I have a very old big bear. I think it is a 1984. The shifting from reverse to low then high is rough and always a little worrisome. Wondering if there is a transmission oil that needs to be changed. Have changed the diffs and the motor oil lots.

 

The idle speed needs to be low enough or you will grind gears when you go from Lo, Hi, Reverse. Also any Big Bear I have come across has a lock-out on that gearchange lever, you need to have the rear brake on before you can move the lever. Often someone has forced it, and the mechanism gets bent which makes the change difficult. Gearbox runs in the same oil as the engine.

 

Thanks, merryman. This is exactly what i needed to know.

 

I am going to look at a 1986 Big Bear 350 (almost as old as yours) soon for me and grand kids to ride. Seller says clutch cable is froze, mostly ridden in low gear.. I am new at atvs. do they have a clutch cable?
ATV is some distance away so I'm trying to find out as much as i can before I go look at it. Any tips would be helpful.

Thanks
Ray M

 

Is he referring to the shifter perhaps? Or the shifting lever? My 1984 quad has no manual clutch. I simply shift by lifting and lowering the lever with my toe.