Honda Foreman 450 Wont Shift!!! - (Reverse, Neutral, & 1St Gear Only) Lets Fix It!

This 2001 Honda Foreman 450s would not shift through the gears. 2nd - 5th gears would not engage but the rest of the transmission gears felt great. Lets take a look inside and find the problem!
Front Cover Gasket: MG 311078 Clutch Cover Gasket for Honda Trx-450 Foreman 4x4 1998-2004 a.co/d/g0wQsDI

[@professorballskin5950]

One of the best instructional videos I have seen. I don’t have this issue but I just stumbled across the video you did an amazing job

[@RaztechPowersports]

Really appreciate it! That’s why I make these videos, to spread knowledge 🔧🔧🔧

[@mooser321]

Exactly the issue with our 4 wheeler. Much appreciated!

[@thelildeadpope911]

I had a similar issue, different but similar. But this video was great help in identifying how it should look when shifting. The little arm behind that plate was completely broken so it wont shift at all. Thanks for the video

[@thelildeadpope911]

Shift plate broken. Now that I've looked it up.

[@chewiepac5932]

I got 97 400 w8th add on disc brakes and love it, it won't die it just won't dieeeee, lol it's been swamped many many times more then about 15 or so, I've only ever had to rebuild the top end and it was sooooo easy to due, thanks for the vid and hello from Alaska

[@RaztechPowersports]

Yeah man they are practically bullet proof! Especially if you know how to turn a wrench

[@Road_Rash]

That's a very good thing to know...a good pressure washing would be a good thing for it as well... excessive dirt & grime, while fun, can cause mechanical failures as well...🖖🏿😎👍🏿

[@fergie71]

Excellent video with awesome quality sound and video. I just installed a new exhaust to my 99 Foreman yesterday.... interested to see your video on rear brakes for that Honda... my next project.

[@RaztechPowersports]

Glad it helped and thanks for watching 🏁

[@shelbylawson5130]

Thanks gor your video an effort it fixed my wheeler

[@RaztechPowersports]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻🏁

[@pamraziano1129]

Great video!

[@garyfort2357]

Witch one is the clutch if I have to replace it

[@1jrpete]

Great vid! Have you ever ran into an issue that a 2014 Honda 420 esp going into reverse but it doesn’t move?

[@coreycraft3274]

I have this exact same issue I hope and pray it’s this easy for me. But I don’t have a way to lift mine up so this is about to be fun lol

[@samantharaziano3101]

What would KZbin do without you sir, professor smart brain! 🥸

[@RaztechPowersports]

Haha trying to spread my professor smart brain knowledge

[@corbana4743]

Great video

[@RaztechPowersports]

Thanks for watching 🔧

[@georgemachehomungai3472]

Excellent instructional video. I have the same issue, but I overtightened the loose bolt and broke it. Now I cannot figure how to put the parts back together. I did manage to pull the broken stud out.

[@RaztechPowersports]

Glad you got the broken stud out. I I want to say most of the parts have an index marking on them. Try to pause my video for a reference as well.

[@georgemachehomungai3472]

@@RaztechPowersports You are awesome. She is running like a champ. All gears are back.

[@georgemachehomungai3472]

and mind you, I am all the way in Mai Mahiu Kenya

[@RaztechPowersports]

@@georgemachehomungai3472 haha man glad I could help you 👍🏻🛠️

[@omieyouknowme]

Looking at two used ones, one with electric shift. I had a 650 kawai before how would a Foreman do for dragging wood out or pulling a small trailer with wood. The clutch up front seems more user friendly and durable vs a cvt belt?

[@RaztechPowersports]

Yeah the gear shift is much better for pulling than a cvt imo. I prefer the foot shift. I’ve had both.

[@user-jp4ic1ys2q]

How much did you end up paying for the bike? Seems like a good deal

[@Burkley429]

Very informative video. I am racking my brain trying to figure out why my 05 foreman will only go into reverse. Tries to go into first but doesn't quite shift the full amount. New shift motor, angle sensor, gears on backside of shift motor and bearings, also new battery. It's an es. Any idea?

[@RaztechPowersports]

I would do some research on the forums honestly

[@billypappas9943]

Wish this video was out 7 months ago when mine was doing a similar thing lol

[@thebanditboys5871]

I have this same quad and problem but the bolt was tight should I remove it and put it back in or what should I look at next does clutch adjustment have any thing to do with that

[@RaztechPowersports]

Yes make sure the clutch adjustment is correct

[@Avalanche2]

Found this video looking for solutions for my 98 TRX450s not having 5th gear. What are your thought on this being the issue? ATV runs awesome and last time I rode it I swore it had 5th. No noise and no grinding or anything. Reverse and 1-4th work fine.

[@DillonHarris-eq6so]

We’re you able to figure this out ?

[@Avalanche2]

@@DillonHarris-eq6so Not yet, I never even looked at it yet. I really only use it for plowing and never go above 3rd. Maybe in the next spring I'll pull the front cover.

[@JohnJKelly-of4dc]

Mine has 2 3 and 4 but won't go into neutral or 1st

[@chadwilt1907]

Ive got a honda foreman 400, 2000. My son stopped in either second or 3rd, to back up. Now it wont shift. Sounds and fells like its trying to shift, but not quit doing so. A foot shifter. Any suggestions.

[@RaztechPowersports]

I would pull the front cover and see if the shift linkage has come loose

[@HipaParts]

Really informative video and I'm sure this video will help lots of DIYers. Hipa supplies small engine parts and are you up for a collaboration? Maybe we would work together to help more people in the community.

[@michaelsnapp7023]

Could this apply to a Honda 400 rancher optional automatic or es?

[@RaztechPowersports]

No, completely different transmission

[@DillonHarris-eq6so]

I have reverse and 1-4 but not 5th gear . Any chance this is the problem ?

[@RaztechPowersports]

Yes, it’s the first place you want to look

[@eddysharp3588]

I have a 2004 450s that doesn’t want to go into reverse. I was driving in 4WD then had to reverse; it backed out fine then after going forward again it would not go back into reverse and I haven’t been able to get it back into reverse even shifting back to 2wd. Any thoughts?

[@RaztechPowersports]

First check the cable tension on the reverse lever going to the engine

[@eddysharp3588]

It seems to be the same as before; not too loose. I was driving over a couple of small trees (1-1.5 in dia). Could have something hit that cable? I see where the adjuster section is located near the handle bar.; could I troubleshoot there?

[@RaztechPowersports]

@@eddysharp3588 can you pull any additional tension in that cable and try to down shift into reverse?

[@eddysharp3588]

I was able to loosen the locking nut and tighten the cable 1/4”; it popped in reverse first try. Is this something that Will require additional maintenance pretty soon or am I worried for nothing?

[@RaztechPowersports]

@@eddysharp3588 glad to hear 👍🏻 nope, the cable just stretched

[@isakaspebrant6551]

Could this be the problem for me to even if i have the electric shifter?

[@RaztechPowersports]

@@isakaspebrant6551 potentially yes

[@glossy_5.3]

So my 99 foreman 450es is stuck in 5th gear the electric shift works but it won’t grab a gear to go back to neutral and the foot shit just spins

[@RaztechPowersports]

Hmmm sounds like your going to have to open it up unfortunately.

[@glossy_5.3]

@@RaztechPowersports dang I was hoping to not have to. Thank you for your help

[@mr.fahrenheit6976]

Have a 2002 honda foreman s that the clutch went out of. A friend of mine put new clutch plates in it but now it won't move at all. Any ideas?

[@RaztechPowersports]

Either the centrifugal clutch is damaged or your shift linkage is not connected correctly. You’ll have to pull the front cover off the motor again to see what’s going on

[@JenniferJohnson-xk9nv]

Could you use rtv for gaskit

[@RaztechPowersports]

I wouldn’t recommend it

[@JenniferJohnson-xk9nv]

My grandpa had one do this and let it sit for 10 to 15 years

[@KedneyContreras-cw5pt]

I do the same to change stator so parts doesn't come off apart put bike side ways

[@RaztechPowersports]

And keeps the oil in 👍🏻

[@JosephSoboJR]

Can you do the same thing on and rubicon 500?

[@RaztechPowersports]

I think the rubicon 500 is an automatic. Very different transmission

[@JosephSoboJR]

@@RaztechPowersports it is idk if to do I’d have to pull motor

[@garyfort2357]

Mine will not go in reverse I wonder it that’s the problem

[@RaztechPowersports]

Check the cable / lever on the reverse arm first

[@terrywinningham5405]

This was definitely a bad design by Honda. I have one that has an issue with the transmission control module and used a bypass module. Hondas electric shift is shit.

[@RaztechPowersports]

Yeah and it solves a problem that doesn’t exist. There’s really no need for electric shift