Gearbox wont gear 2345 any help?

I am Italian -78-from venice region
My first Kawa H1 1970 then sold it in 75 to buy Z 1 B 900 whic I still have it but bee sitting for a while.
Going to refurbish in some parts so guess I need some help from members
Problem I am facing now gearbox ( wont engage 2-3-4-5
Anyone can suggest ….
One million thanks
Lucio

nyone outhere had the gear box  not engaging second to fifth gears, what can be done
Thanks

Hello Lucio,
Welcome to KZRider !
I believe that what you're describing is called Kawasaki's "Neutral Finder". It prevents shifting to second unless the bike is traveling fast enough.
Bill

Welcome from the UK Lucio

   The 'neutral finder' is a set of 3 ball bearings that move in grooves within the transmission by centrifugal force.  It prevents selecting 2nd. gear when the countershaft is stationary.  At least one of the three balls will be in a position to lock out 2nd. gear when at a stop, yet find neutral or select 1st. gear very easily.
   Assuming the drive chain is installed on your bike and the motor is stopped, place the bike on the centerstand, or get the rear wheel off the ground securely by some other means.  With the gearbox in neutral, spin the rear wheel by hand as fast as you can.  Move the shift lever up to 2nd. while the wheel is spinning fast.  Second gear should engage.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I am going to hazard a guess here that since Lucio has owned his Z1 for 50 years he is probably familiar with the "neutral finder" function. Could it be that this mechanism is faulty after standing for so many years (ball bearings seized etc) ?

Wookie58 wrote:

I am going to hazard a guess here that since Lucio has owned his Z1 for 50 years he is probably familiar with the "neutral finder" function. Could it be that this mechanism is faulty after standing for so many years (ball bearings seized etc) ?

If that's the case then one or two balls could be gummed with old oil which would prevent them from moving outwards .
This wouldn't last long though once hot oil circulates..

He stated it has been sitting for some time. I might suggest since the netural finder is a Kawasaki only thing he may not of been aware to begin with and if it has sat for a long period of time he may well have forgot. 

This may help him to relearn what it does.
www.slashgear.com/1939820/kawasaki-motor...r-bikes-unique-tech/

Makes sense. After my Z1  sat for longer than it should have, I had forgotten about the neutral feature.  Then had an "oh yeah" moment!