minor spill; need transmission advice

Well, I knew it would happen eventually but luckily it was low speed and there were no human injuries. But, after standing the bike back up and collecting myself to head back home, the transmission wouldn't go any lower than neutral. I had to nurse it home in 2nd and above. The bike leaned over on the right, the non-gear selector side, but once I get it in neutral, the gear selector won't go any lower. It was a slow moving tip over, less than 10 miles an hour and other than the scuff marks, the only problem seems to be the transmission. Any advice on where to look or what to try on this?

First off, glad you're okay. You dumped the right side, only superficial bodywork damage and the tranny is acting up? I'm certainly not a techie but even this has me stumped. I assume your oil level is ok? Maybe something to do with it being in gear when going down? Gear damage of some kind? Maybe something to do with the clutch?

Thanks for the response. It could be gear damange, as I was moving slowly in first gear when it happened and this is the gear it no longer goes into. All the fluid levels seem to be ok and looking at it outside there are no puddles forming anywhere. I'm thinking the best thing will be to get it looked at in a shop to: a. get the gears fixed and b. make sure there isn't some other damage that I haven't noticed yet. Sure is an interesting experience laying it down like that. Amazing what adrenaline can do, never thought I'd be able to stand a 400lb + bike back up on my own!

Sure is an interesting experience laying it down like that. Amazing what adrenaline can do, never thought I'd be able to stand a 400lb + bike back up on my own! I can relate, just glad it turned out okay. Our of curiosity, what gear were you wearing at the time?

As for gear, I had the helmet, leather coat, long pants and riding boots. Haven't picked up riding gloves yet and wish I would have had them as the longer I sit here, the more I'm pretty sure I may have broken my left pinkie finger. Hurts like hell when I try to bend it but it does bend to some extent.

Other than a few scrapes and a possible broken pinkie, glad you are OK! Perhaps there is something hanging up on the bodywork or something bent that is causing the issue - doesn't seem likely that there would be internal damage from something like that without major leaks.

Certainly grounds for an upgrade. I agree this is a bit of a stumper, but logically I think that the impact must have done something to the gear selector shaft. Prolly have to open her up. Sorry bout the laydown but most of us have been through it once or twice. Shake it off, fix the bike and enjoy some riding.

Quick update: I spent a couple hours last night going over various manuals and looking at replacement parts to see what may be causing the gear selector to go no lower than neutral. Somehow I managed to put an ever slight bend in the gear selector which was causing it to bump into the transmission lever right below just before reaching first gear. Taking a thin crow bar I seperated the two of them and meet with success! Bike is back to going through all the gears and I was out riding again last night by 9:30. I was determined to get the issue fixed and back on two wheels before I scared myself off the bike entirely.

Quick update: I spent a couple hours last night going over various manuals and looking at replacement parts to see what may be causing the gear selector to go no lower than neutral. Somehow I managed to put an ever slight bend in the gear selector which was causing it to bump into the transmission lever right below just before reaching first gear. Taking a thin crow bar I seperated the two of them and meet with success! Bike is back to going through all the gears and I was out riding again last night by 9:30. I was determined to get the issue fixed and back on two wheels before I scared myself off the bike entirely. Good catch, glad to hear you are OK and riding again.

Great news, glad it wasn't anything major.

Sweet....glad things are getting back to normal...are you going to get the surface dings fixed?