Please help, cant shift gears properly

[Adam F]

All was good with my quad untill I let it sit for an hour or 2. I went to drive off, and I could get into 1st gear, but as soon as I shifted into 2nd, it would only get into neutral. No matter what I did, I couldnt get into the upper gears. Finally after rocking it back and fourth I got it to go into the upper gears, but now I cant get it back down into the lower gears. I tried adjusting the clutch cable, but nothing works. I push down on the gear shifter but nothing happens. Any ideas before I take it into the shop? Its a 2002 300ex, hardly ridden, never abused.

[Doibugu2]

If it is still under warrenty, I would take it into the shop and have them look at it. It will save you some aggrevation.

[Str8Wicked]

Sounds like your shifter is eithier cracked or loose. I had that problem with my uncle's 250 and got the shifter re welded and we re mounted it and was fine after.

Remove it and check for cracks, if there is no cracks than jsut remove and remount.

[2002_300_EX]

just hit your foot shifter really hard with a hammer...it will go down eventually

[2002_300_EX]

im kidding...dont do that

[Adam F]

I diddn't get the extended warranty.

[ryanh250ex]

there is a possibility you might need gear oil....

[Castor-426ex]

check your reverse thing...it could be messed up..when my ole lady had her 300 it did it all the time

[Adam F]

Please excuse the extreme ignorance here, but how do I change the gear oil? I misplaced my manual. I changed the motor oil right before this happened, but never changed the gear oil.

[kaneman23]

They don't require gear oil. Where did you get that from? The motor oil lubricates everything internal in the case.

[ryanh250ex]

i have a 250, so i'm used to shaft drive.......sorry, just trying to help out

[jgray]

I am not sure about youre shifting problems.. Sounds like the clutch is not engaging, therefor
not allowing you to shift. yes you can shift without the clutch, So I am not sure why it will not let you ..
About the "Gear Oil" He is misinformed or not using the correct description. The 300ex only requires "Motor Oil". There is NOT two different oils in the 300ex. I personally use Mobil 1.

Good luck

After Seeing what Ryan rides. Its a 250ex, which is shaft driven, which requires "Gear Oil" in the rear. Like a truck. He uses Gear Oil in a 250ex. Once again.. NO Gear Oil in a 300ex, its chain driven.. You can lube your chain with Gear Oil if you like !!! haha

[kaneman23]

O.K. I didn't know the 250's were shaft driven...;)

For some reason whenever I hear about the 250's I think of the old 250X's

[kaneman23]

O.K. I didn't know the 250's were shaft driven...;)

For some reason whenever I hear about the 250's I think of the old 250X's

I think the problem is a bent shift fork or something worse....

[sprtrx300ex]

try loosening your chain. I went to your site and it looks like your chain is wwwwwwwway to tight.

u should invest in a service manual. there great.

[Adam F]

Chain is how it came from the factory. I think I will get a factory manual and tear into it.

[Adam F]

On Monday I'm finally going to get the time to work on it. Any other things I should check out? Someone mentioned a "reverse thing". Anyone care to elaborate? Thanks!

[exriderdude]

theres is probably something wrong with your clutch, try replacing with new ones

i have a barnett clutch kit www.barnettclutches.com

[Adam F]

It's not the chain. I have no clue what it is. I might just take it in and have them look at it, and go from there. Hope the dealer doesnt charge to tell me whats wrong.

[YZROOSTINYA]

it s the not the chain or the clutch. either your shifter is loose on the shaft or the shifter shaft or shift fork is broken. how it would stop working is very odd. normally it happens after extended aggressive shifting or a impact to the shifter. it will still shift without oil, if oil was the problem the pistom would seize first.

look at the clutch cover in the manual . actually let me get a link to service honda

http://www.servicehonda.com/HARD%20PARTS/ATV/TRX300EX_93_01/trx300ex%20frames%20page.htm

looks like 24 is your shifter, on your quad its actually the left side. 26 is the pin, could be snapped, 21 is also a part that could be snapped. i doubt it though since you never crashed and it just happened. prob reverse

also your reverse lever might no be fully disengaged. the red rod on the left side of your quad needs to be in the disengaged position and the cable on the handlebars has to be fully disengaged also that activated the reverse.


let us know

[xtrememxrider]

Like others have said it sounds like your clutches went out. But also check your clutch basket for wear. first off i would look for a broken clutch, then while you have it apart look at the basket where the tops of the clutches slide between and on the edges look for bumps or anything but complety straight. Sorry if this isent worded right im currently at my 2nd job and im beat. But i figured id try to give a little help. good luck

[trueblue450]

Do you mean you let it sit RUNNING for 2 hours or what???

If you did that, then you probably burnt it up.. but the reverse thing is that your reverse lever is pulled up..... thats probably the thing. My friend did that and we were baffeled.. then i got on it pulled it up and it started right up.. But if it starts now then it shouldn't be that cuz it can't start in rev. So?? Just bring it to the shop :D

[lil400exman]

Originally posted by Adam F
It's not the chain. I have no clue what it is. I might just take it in and have them look at it, and go from there. Hope the dealer doesnt charge to tell me whats wrong.


its still new enuff you haver a warranty on it man just tkae it bak tlak them into looking at it tell them you are going to tell all of your friends not to come here yell in the dealership this palce is full of lies and that they would take 100 dollar bill from a blind man
when he was suppeosed to give them a 20.... btw i live now in centerville where do you live- ADAM F ?:)

[Adam F]

Cincinnati Ohio. (says so under my username :) ) I bought it back in October. I had to sign a paper saying I declined the extended warranty, so I'm sure they would get that document out real quick.


Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to take it in the shop and have it checked over.