Restoration - Can't click into 1st, 4th or 5th gear - Is this normal?

[86FJNJ]

Bike is a barn find that sat for 15 years but was told it ran when parked and it's in very good condition for it's age. I got it running at idle, blip throttle and sounds good, some smoke but I'll figure that out later.

I just cleaned out the clutch master cylinder, put new clutch cable, banjo's and new slave cylinder. I think I did it right and clutch feels like it's working. Without the engine running while it's on the center stand I can't get it to leave neutral to click down into first, just stays in neutral. I can click it up into 2nd and 3rd and back down into neutral but won't click up into 4th or 5th.

Is this anything to be concerned about before I continue getting the bike up to snuff?

1986 FJ1200, 20k miles

[Billy Bananahead]

Are you turning the rear wheel by hand at the same time as using the gear change?

[86FJNJ]

No, would I need to do that? I could maybe see that for 4th or 5th but I shouldn't need to do that to go into 1st

[fj1289]

Yes - in a sequential gearbox there needs to be some movement for things to line up to make a shift.  Forks have to slide on the drum, forks shift the sliding gears and dogs have to line up with their matching windows and the the sliding gears have to line up with the teeth on the matching fixed gear. 

[86FJNJ]

ok so I guess I'll have to start it while on the center stand and then if the trans is in good working order it should go into first?

[fj1289]

Don't have to start it.   Just sit on the ground next to it, click the shifter with one hand, and rotate the wheel with the other.  Don't expect the wheel to "spin" unless you are in neutral.  It will move a few degrees and will stop once it is in the next gear.   You can also do this sitting on the bike and rocking it forwards and back a little. 

[86FJNJ]

you were right that worked, thanks!

[fj1289]