KZ won't shift passed second gear

Hi guys, first time post and new owner of a 1978 kz400. It's in great condition (visually) and really fun to get around town.

On a short trip with the bike, when it decided to stop shifting into any gear passed second. The foot pedal goes back and forth into first, neutral, and second but then stuck stiff at that point - almost like the higher gears are not even there.

Someone mentioned a bent shift fork. Are there any other things I should check first before looking into a transmission repair? Also, it is easier (less labor) to replace the entire transmission instead of just the single fork? I found a used transmission for under $100 that looks to be in good condition.

Thanks for your help and hope to see you back on the road before winter gets here :pinch:

I have a KZ 1000 it will not shift past second if it isn't moving this is to aid in finding the neutral position

kz4000 wrote: ... it decided to stop shifting into any gear passed second. The foot pedal goes back and forth into first, neutral, and second but then stuck stiff at that point - almost like the higher gears are not even there.

Are you describing what happens while riding or while trying to shift while standing still? Not sure if the 400's had the neutral finder device but if it does and you're experiencing the problem while the bike is standing still, the behavior is normal.
Bill

The foot pedal goes back and forth into first, neutral, and second

Kawasaki's patented neutral finder will not let you shift into second, so that's eliminated as a cause.

Replace a shift fork or replace the transmission? Once you get to the shift forks you have two more nuts to remove to extract the trans. Clutch hub nut and sprocket nut.

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The shifter mechanism return spring may have broken .
This will give the symptoms you describe.
It's an easy fix if this is the case.