How do i repair a shifter return spring for a 97 gsx600f

The return spring inside of the shifter might be weak or broken, or the tab in the shifter gate slot might have worn out or broken. Remove the shifter base and boot and inspect the slot and tab. (the tab rides inside of the slot). An excellent replacement spring can be found at:

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the shifter pawl spring needs to be checked.

Follow the shifter reach rod that runs from the shift lever back to a short lever on the transmission. Take the nut off and take the rod loose from this short lever. Then, move the forward like you are going to shift into low gear but don't actually shift the transmission into gear. Feel for the spring tension. Then, move the lever backwards and feel for the spring tension there. Check the shift lever and the reach rod for binding. If you don't feel the spring tension trying to return the lever back to the center, it's likely that the shifter pawl return spring is broken. This spring is what returns the shifter lever back to 'center". But,the temperature of the transmission will not change this. If the spring is broken, it's broken cold or hot. If the spring is good and there is not bind in the linkage, the problem may be in the shifter cam mechanism inside the transmission. Either way, this is an internal issue in the transmission.

Good Luck
steve

If the shifter is not returning to it's "center" position, the shifter pawl spring is probably broken in the transmission. With the engine off and the bike on the kickstand with the transmission in neutral, gently depress the shifter lever down until just before it shifts. Then, let go of the shifter and see if it springs back up. Do the same thing lifting the shifter towards second gear. Make sure there is no binding in the linkage. If you don't feel the spring pressure on the shifter, this is an indication that the return spring is broken. Harley had a problem with this on their 5-speed transmissions. Fixing the problem is a major job. You have to disassemble the entire primary drive and pull the trapdoor with both transmission shafts out of the transmission to get the shifter pawl shaft out. I strongly recommend the purchase of a service manual if you plan on doing this job yourself.

Good Luck
Steve

It sounds like a broken shifter pawl spring. This part is inside the transmission and requires a teardown of the transmission. Not a simple job. Harley was having problems with them in the 5- speed transmission back in the '90's but I thought they had gotten that problem solved. There never was a recall as far as I know but I have replaced quite a few shifter pawl shafts. The spring is what returns the shifter back to it's "center" position between shifts. With the transmission in neutral, engine off, use your hand to gently push the shifter down to just before it shifts the transmission. Then let go of the shifter and see if returns back to the "center" position. Make sure the shifter or the shifter rod is not binding in any manner. If it will not return to center, I think this is your problem.

Good Luck
Steve

Without being able to see and mess with the bike a bit, I would guess that you have a shifter pawl spring broken in your transmission. It's either the return spring or the spring on the pawl itself. To test the spring, start from the "neutral postition" of the shifter. Regardless of the gear the bike might be in, when you are not pushing down on the shifter or lifting up on it, it is in the neutral position, where it normall sits. Now, using your fingers push down on the shift lever until you feel the transmission start to shift, you feel a resistance. Stop right there, do not shift the gear but allow the shifter to return to the neutral position. Now, lift the shifter with your fingers until you feel the resistance of the transmission getting ready to shift. What you are feeling for is the resistance of the shifter return spring. Does it feel the same in both directions? If not, the spring is broken. If it does, then the problem is something else.

Still if the transmissio will not shift into a particular gear, something is wrong inside the transmission and you'll have to go into it to find the problem most likely.

Good Luck
steve

Well you solved you own problem you need to replace the return spring.

I thought I just answered this question somewhere but I'll answer it again. This is a common problem on the 5-speed transmission.

It sounds like your shifter pawl return spring is broken inside the transmission. With your bike in neutral, lift up or push down on the shifter like you are going to shift gears. Feel the amount of spring tension that is supposed to return the shifter to the "center position" in preparation for the next shift. If the shifter does not return to center like it's supposed to, this is indeed your problem. You can check to see if the shift lever back at the transmission is loose but usually this in not the case.

This is a very complicated procedure to repair requiring the removal of all the "guts" in the transmission. Luckily, on the 5-speed transmission, both shafts with their gears come out with the trap door of the transmission. The problem is all the other stuff you have to take off the bike to get to this point. Unless you're absolutely sure this is the problem and unless you're a very experienced mechanic with some specialized tools, this is a job best left to the dealership mechanics.

Do you feel a spring back when pushing both up AND down on the shift lever? if not, your shift return spring(s) are not positioned correctly or missing.