1973 Honda CL450 DOHC "Scrambler"

[Hansen72GS]

Well guys I know its a buick forum but I was just hoping I could get lucky on here since it seems like you guys are able to help me with everything else haha. I just bought a 1973 Honda CL450 DOHC, I thought it'd be something fun to buzz bomb around the small college town on when I'm not raising hell in my GS but I'm having issues with the tranny in the bike. the motor is fine but I thinking I have a linkage issue and the bike wont shift correctly into neutral so I can't start it. ANY ADVICE would be a great help. Thanks

[TexasT]

Have you taken it apart? Are there pieces that look worn or bent? Do you have a shop manual? I'm no motorcycle guy but that is where I would start.

[71skylark3504v]

Why does it have to be in neutral to start it?

[gsx455-4ever]

Well guys I know its a buick forum but I was just hoping I could get lucky on here since it seems like you guys are able to help me with everything else haha. I just bought a 1973 Honda CL450 DOHC, I thought it'd be something fun to buzz bomb around the small college town on when I'm not raising hell in my GS but I'm having issues with the tranny in the bike. the motor is fine but I thinking I have a linkage issue and the bike wont shift correctly into neutral so I can't start it. ANY ADVICE would be a great help. Thanks

All those older Honda's are finicky to get into neutral. Sometimes I actually use my hand to have better control than my foot. I have a 72 500-4 cyl so I know what you mean. After a while you will get the hang of it. You can use the clutch so it doesn't have to be in neutral but then you have to switch hands so you can cut the choke off and try to keep it running with the throttle. Practice practice and then practice some more. Good luck

[Hansen72GS]

well when i shift it, its like the shift liver doesnt catch on anything

[Adam C]

I don`t know my Hondas too well but a lot of bikes have a spring on the detent lever (inside the cases attached to the shift shaft) if this breaks, no pressure to turn the shift drum to make it shift
Try this for a picture
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb450-sup...ist/E++16.html

[69GS400s]

All those older Honda's are finicky to get into neutral. Sometimes I actually use my hand to have better control than my foot. I have a 72 500-4 cyl so I know what you mean.

I had the same bike with the same problem - it actually got ALOT worse when you'd drive it for a few hours and everything would heat up. It would get so bad you practically couldn't shift it.