73 Eldo won't stay in 1st gear

[vintagehoarder]

A recent development on my 73 Eldo.  I'll be sitting at a light and go o take off and all ofa sudden I find I'm in neutral. Never does the transmission per se pop out of gear, it just all of a sudden is in neutral.  The interesting thing is, if I keep my foot on the shifter holding it in 1st everythig is fine.  Now after 4 ankle suregeries which has affected ny balance I find it harder to balance the bike with my right leg so I can keep pressure om the shifter. I have had the shop adjust and tweak linkage a couple of times and that seems to have had no effect.  Am I going to have to pull the trans and inspect?  Any other thoughts?  Thanks in advance.

[guzzisteve]

There is an adjustment for shifter on back cover, it is to center the ratchet on back of drum. Go one way a small amount then try the other way. If you go too much it will be bad. So just go a 1/16 turn ea way. Big bolt & locknut on back cover next to arm.

It also helps to roll bike for & aft while clicking the lever.

[pehayes]

When  you approach the traffic light, do you down shift into neutral or all the way into 1st?  Consider stopping in neutral and releasing the clutch handle.  Then, upon green, pull the clutch and downshift into 1st.  See if that procedure helps at all.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[John A]

It might be time to check the drum detent. It’s easy and maybe the spring got weak or the ball end wore out. I think it’s similar to the one on a five speed, pictures should be around here somewhere

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

It might be time to check the drum detent. It’s easy and maybe the spring got weak or the ball end wore out. I think it’s similar to the one on a five speed, pictures should be around here somewhere

  Eldo is a 5 speed.  I've seen the spring fracture and cause issues, but then it's usually on all the gears, not just first.

[John A]

Eldo is a 5 speed.  I've seen the spring fracture and cause issues, but then it's usually on all the gears, not just first.

Thanks Charlie, I was picturing a 4 speed in my mind for some reason and I was concentrating on trying to remember the detent .

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

It could be that the engagement dogs on either the gear or sliding sleeve (or both) are sufficiently rounded that it pops out of gear, or that the shift fork is worn or partially fractured.

[vintagehoarder]

Thanks for all the input!