First gear where are the rest

Hello everybody, First time posting on this forum. I am glad that I found all of you well informed posters. I recently purchased a 1985 Xj700, It had a few problems, turn signals didn't work, clutch cable stuck, and no second gear. I was able to get the turn signals and clutch cable working, and after reading the posts on the second gear problems, I figured I could go from 1st to 3rd no problem, and everything was great. Love the ride and power the 700 has. However, last week I was shifting from 1st to 3rd and couldn't get it into 3rd gear or any gear except 1st and neutral. I checked the forum and read about the chain guide problems and took the left side cover off to inspect for bits of chain guide and could not find any. I am now guessing that I am going to have to crack the case and replace the shifting forks and or gears, unless anyone has advice of something else to check. Thanks for all the great information that you all are providing

 

In checking for primay chain guide bits one must be certain to look inside the oval opening on top of the shifter drum. Now is when I wish I had a pic to post. The little bits are hard to get out but it can be done. A small dental pick instrument is invaluable for this procedure.

 

I checked thru the nickel size hole in the upper left and couldn't see any. How big of bits would I have seen if they where there.

 

Most are about pea size. They are black and some bits may be very small. The very small ones aren't large enough to jam the shifter.

 

Possible the fork is bent/loose? I'm not a 700 type but I'm willing to guess. The tensioner pieces tend to be largish, you should be able to see them. Barring that, you might need to pull the motor. Again, I'm guessing based on my experiences.

 

ya could pull the sump and look too....