where the heck is 4th?????

[JohnB53]

I have a very nice 1981 650 special that I got from the original owner. It has 8600 miles on it. The low miles are because the stator went out and it has been parked since 2010. I have gotten it running and hooked it to a velorex side car for fun. One issue I am having is getting it into 4th gear. All other gears are fine but it seems to go past 4th into a neutral and if you pull up on the shifter you go into 5th and a down ssift gets 4th. It almost shifts better if you just let off the gas and flick it up to 4th. So anyone got any ideas?? Cause this is driving me crazy and it looks like I have no idea how to ride a bike. Thanks John B

 

[gggGary]

Well starting with Mr Obvous stuff and working inwards.
Shift lever TIGHT on the shaft?
Shaft moving freely, no binding?
Then RH cover off check the two springs and the star wheel, there is a centering adjustment in there also
Some common issues including a rivet that can break seen in this thread http://www.xs650.com/threads/false-neutrals-and-slipping-out-of-gear.2410/