'77 Harley Gear Box Trouble?

Question

I broke the chain on my '77 FLH (haven't put the new one on yet) and immediately after it broke the gear box won't go into any gears and feels 'mushy', like it's been filled with sawdust or something.

Any guesses to the damage that may have been done when the chain broke?

Or does the bike need a chain on it to shift properly?

Thanks...

Answer 1

Reach behind the primary case (if installed) and turn the chain sprocket while shifting.

Most bikes need to be rocked (causing the drive sprocket to turn a little) to shift into gear without the motor running.

Answer 2

What exactly feels mushy? I've never heard of a problem like that from a broken chain unless the chain bound up behind the inner primary and broke something.Did it lock up or give a big jolt when the chain broke?

Answer 3

lift the lid and see if you bent a fork  I have seen this in a wreck before If the chain locked up the rear wheel that could be it

Didnt mention it but if an open primary it could have hit the ratchet and put it in a bind also

Answer 4

What caused the chain to break? Could the tranny have locked up causing the chain failure? If not it might just be stuck between gears. Put the new chain on and try rocking the bike back and forth while shifting through the gears.