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My son’s bike (xs1100SH) had the first gear problem from the time that he bought it. (He only paid $100 plush traded his 82 450 Nighthawk for it) He rode it for the first year taking it easy in first then when it would not stay in at all, just starting in second. This weekend he decided that he was going to tackle the issue. I have a 78 engine that I put a hole in the #3 piston and in the upper case last year. The gears in it were all good no slippage. He first removed the gears from the 78 and after inspecting them we found that they already had the “fix” done to the gears. So he decided to just swap them into his bike.
After he disassembled the 78 engine (I had him put all usable parts on the shelf for future use or to be sold) I show him TopCat’s write up on the 1st and 2nd gear fix. So he read through that several times and went out into the garage to repair his bike. He decided that he didn’t want to flip the bike. (For some reason this action rubbed him wrong
) So he drained all the necessary fluids, removed the seat and side covers. Then he ran back in to the house to read the next step. He did this all morning, coming into the house reading the instructions then going out to do that step. After about 5 trips like this he told me we need to get a computer setup in the garage (Already had planned to do this in the spring) . I gave him a hard time about teenage brains leaking out information about as fast as they learn it. (I didn’t tell him that I cheat and print the steps out) He was making good time felt he was going to be able to finish in the same day. (He was doing ALL the work by himself) So I went out for a couple of hours (had a date with my two daughters) and on my return the bike was not finished and he was in the shower (he had oil covering him from head to toe, I should have gotten pictures). He told me that he swore at the bike multiple times (I wonder where he got that from 
), had oil dripping on his face and getting in his mouth and hit is head several times. He decided that maybe the old guys on the forum (he said it not me
) do know what they are talking about and asked if I would help him flip the bike over after church. Well I need to go and get ready, I will let you know how the rest of the repair goes after it is done. (I will take pictures of the rest of the steps)
After he disassembled the 78 engine (I had him put all usable parts on the shelf for future use or to be sold) I show him TopCat’s write up on the 1st and 2nd gear fix. So he read through that several times and went out into the garage to repair his bike. He decided that he didn’t want to flip the bike. (For some reason this action rubbed him wrong
) So he drained all the necessary fluids, removed the seat and side covers. Then he ran back in to the house to read the next step. He did this all morning, coming into the house reading the instructions then going out to do that step. After about 5 trips like this he told me we need to get a computer setup in the garage (Already had planned to do this in the spring) . I gave him a hard time about teenage brains leaking out information about as fast as they learn it. (I didn’t tell him that I cheat and print the steps out) He was making good time felt he was going to be able to finish in the same day. (He was doing ALL the work by himself) So I went out for a couple of hours (had a date with my two daughters) and on my return the bike was not finished and he was in the shower (he had oil covering him from head to toe, I should have gotten pictures). He told me that he swore at the bike multiple times (I wonder where he got that from ), had oil dripping on his face and getting in his mouth and hit is head several times. He decided that maybe the old guys on the forum (he said it not me) do know what they are talking about and asked if I would help him flip the bike over after church. Well I need to go and get ready, I will let you know how the rest of the repair goes after it is done. (I will take pictures of the rest of the steps)
Besides, doesn't he have a wifi laptop or IPAD/Kindle? How does he survive without being electronically accessible every second of the day?
But there is hope for my son, after he finished he said (and it was out loud) that maybe next time he will listen to those who have more experience. 
. At this point he was late for school so he just took the truck. 
when he realized what he was doing wrong but was glad to have his bike back to running 
. And good wrenching skills that will save him some serious cash in the future!
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