Re: 25 hp sportster slipping out of gear ???
Ah, there is no adjustment at that coupler behind the plate. But it may be installed wrong. Best to check it out.<br />The shift rods should both be completely inside that coupler. Like this:<br />
<br /><br />I belive the only thing that holds that engine in gear is the brass shift quadrant that's attached to the starboard side of the block. It also prevents you from throttling the engine too high in neutral. It should be spring loaded and free to hold the shift handle in place.<br />With the quadrant temporarily pushed off the handle, you should be able to feel neutral 'click' when you move the shifter. You may have to rotate the propshaft a bit to get it to shift. This is caused by the detent balls on the clutch dog inside the lower unit. Once you find neutral, make sure that matches the neutral quadrant on the brass bar. If it does not line up, adjustment can be made to the handle by loosening the screws that hold it to the shift handle shaft.<br /><br />If after checking all that it still pops out of gear, it could be a worn clutch dog or clutch dog & gears.<br /><br />EDIT: Something else to look out for - there should be hardly any slop at all between the shift coupler and the shift handle. Parts may be worn.
