No fifth gear

[Will77]

Hey guys I just bought a 1979 Yamaha xs650 hadn’t ran since 2008 anyway I got her running took her a ride and I shifted into fifth and there’s nothing there like a neutral could there be a bent shift fork or something am I going to have to split the case? I’m just learning motorcycles I’m used to working on old pickups

 

[jetmechmarty]

Yes. the bottom case half will have to come off. Get a factory service manual. There is at least one hidden bolt.

 

[gggGary]

Well if it was me I'd be opening the RH side cover and taking a good look at the shift linkages, star wheel first....

 

[Will77]

Ok just got around to draining the oil and I found a few metal shavings on the top of the plug there magnetic

 

[gggGary]

"some shavings" is normal. No oil filter, just screens, 70's machining and tolerances weren't what they are today.

 

[Niels B]

this is a good visual on gear overhaul

and this is a good option for overhaul of engine in general https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-XS650-Engine-Including-Electric-ebook/dp/B071W5SSPY

 

[Will77]

"some shavings" is normal. No oil filter, just screens, 70's machining and tolerances weren't what they are today.

They were magnetic but very thin longest one was about to 1/2 in long

 

[gggGary]

Like the consensus you've heard. clean it up, new oil and run it, change oil a couple times in the first 1-2,000 miles checking both filters each time. That's a good idea on any wake up drill anyways. If I have RH cover off I tend to open the oil pump and inspect. But with the roller and ball bearing crank the oil pump can be pretty beat up and still not be a problem.

 

[Will77]

In case anyone looks at this thread in the future with the same problem I split the case and found all the dogs busted off third gear