I was wondering if anyone could help me somewhat pinpoint my problem before I start taking things apart. When I purchased my bike about 2 years ago it had some grinding going up/down from 2nd gear. I didn't worry too much about it, because I really didn't go on any adventures then.

Recently though I was accelerating from 3rd to 4th on the highway and something I'll guess in the transmission decided to not agree with what I was going and I lost all power and without my foot on the shifter went down into 3rd after some horrific grinding.
Not more than a mile after that I was taking a slower sharp turn in 2nd gear and in the middle of the turn when I was starting to accelerate out the bike went into neutral. [Again without even touching the shifter.]

I was thinking I need to look at my clutch/plates/etc, but if some of this stuff is happening without me touching anything, then what? Any brain stormers would be great! I won't ride until it is fixed due to the possibly of getting in a dangerous situation where I wont be able to rely on the bike.  :'(

I'm pretty sure the clutch has never been maintained before, it's an 1987.

yep, you got a problem with your tranny, not your clutch.

I would try an adjustment on the clutch, or take apart the shifter and see if there's any you can do in there.

Check the rod,, may be bent,

Serowbot wrote on 04/20/12 at 11:55:27:


lol I like the "cog jog." My issue isn't at stops though, it's in the middle of moving, mainly in the middle of accelerating or in turns.  

Draining the oil tonight and planning to start taking things apart tomorrow. I'll try to document a bit to help in my little journey here. lol I've taken the cylinder head apart before, but not the shifter.