'83 250R doesn't like to shift into 3rd gear?

[Gdkarma]

Okay, time for another silly question:

This trike I recently purchased doen't like to go into 3rd gear. Sometimes it does, other times it's like there is nothing there and just revs up. Where do I start? I have a bud that suggested it was a shift fork, and that I would have the terrible task of tearing apart the cases. What do the experts have to say? You folks seem to have a mountain of knowledge on these old trikes, and I appreciate your help!

Thanks,
Michael

[atdj79]

My first 84 R wouldn't even go into second or third gear, you could take off in first then shift really fast to fourth. I tore it apart and it was the shift drum, not the forks. The forks move for all gears on the drum. It has groves in it that can get wore down over time or from slamming the gears. The other thing it could be if it is just one gear is the gear itself on the shaft. It could have a tooth or 2 missing but if it was that, it would probably slip while you are riding. My bet would be on the drum. Which Honda discontinued and would have been about 375.00 if they still had it. But you would have to split the case to verify anyways. There are plenty of trannys and bottom ends out there. Good luck!!