Shift return spring won't return!!!

Depressed the gear shift lever on the 73 Z1 and the lever stays down. I can wiggle it back up , but not practical for riding. Replaced the spring just in case and everything seems aligned correctly,but still no return to the neutral position. Is there a secret to this or am I looking into transmission tear downs. I REALLY don't want to split the cases on this thing! Thanks in advance for your help!

Which spring/ springs did you replace? There are 3 there. At the selector, and 1 on the detent.

92083-021 is the part number - it's the shift return spring.

You don't need to split the cases, just to remove the transmission cover.

Jeff,
It was the return spring number#5. I removed the transmission cover replaced the spring and things are still the same.

It is number 5. When you pulled the transmission cover off, was the old shift return spring broken?

There are two variants of the shift return spring, the earlier version was used through the middle of the KZ900 range - this has just three coils. The later bikes use a 4-coil spring - 92083-028.

You don't want to intermix them.

The shift Drum, all of the pins in place? #18

Do these things and you'll find your problem. Mix-n-Match parts can cause issues like you have.

First make sure there are no burrs on the shift shaft or the boss in the outer cover.....smooth up the shifter where it goes through that boss...smooth the boss...lube the boss. If that's not it..off with the outer cover and do this....

Loosen the screws on the trans cover and pry it back just a hair. Install the shifter and see if it shifts correctly. I've seen issues with trans covers before and had to tweak things.

Good luck

Make sure you replaced it with a 3 coil spring and not the later 4 coil. 73-75 used a 3 coil.

Thanks guys, I will begin the process of cleaning things up, deburring and lubricating. The original spring was not broken and I will check to see ifthe new one is a 4 coil. Be back with the results later.
Great site and great help!!

Well, looks like I am up the the "big dummy" award. Turns out the return spring was fine as was all other original parts. My new Terrozzi rears sets had tightened over the course of last summer and the shift linkage was bound up. Backed the nylon lock nut off about a 1/8 of a turn and viola, shifts and returns like new. Lesson to be learned: Always check out the new items for functionality "FIRST"!!!!!

Thanks for the great advice and help. Back on the road tomorrow!

Thanks Jeff and others.
This was exactly what my problem was.
Doin a total rebuild on my 75 Z1 and I put a 78 KZ1000 spring in and could hardly move the shifter and no return at all on the lever.
Once I read this topic on this forum I knew exactly what the problem was. Before that I thought I was going to have to take the tranmission back apart (no fun).

thanks to all you guys. google is a wonderful thing.

Steve


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