As mentioned in another thread, I've a 1971 60/5 (75/5 heads/carbs) that's been sitting for 20 years and maybe started and briefly ridden a few times during that period. I had noted that at those times, when attempting to put in 1st, then neutral, it stayed stuck in gear. Each time, I pushed the bike and popped the clutch and the shifting problem seemed to resolve. I assumed it was a stuck clutch (moisture causing something to rust/stick). The bike still has the 60/5 4-speed gearbox.

When I tried the same this time, it does not seem to get in gear at all. I can hand turn the spline with no real resistance (gear box is detached from motor) and no movement at the output flange. I attempted to shift while hand turning the spline with no effect. The kickstart engages, and when the gearbox was on the bike, was effective in starting the bike. The oil in the gearbox did not seem cafe au lait, but when I set the boot part of the gearbox in a pan, clear water was atop the oil that drained. I emptied what oil was in the case, refilled with 90w, then rotated the gearbox to ensure all parts immersed.

I'm assuming a gearbox rebuild is in order, but thought I'd put this background out there in case there's something that's known to get gummed up and could keep the box in a neutral (?) state.

Thanks,
Steve (aka Sebascodegan)