[Marines122181]

1988 fourtrax 300.

Previous owner said there is supposed to be a safety mechanism to prevent the rider from going down through the gears all the way into reverse while moving forward but it doesn't work. Need some suggestions where to find this so I can look into repairing it. Don't want to let my son ride it until it is fixed. Thanks!

 

[Goober]

Welcome and good question
Please download the manual from the links in my sig block.
There is a button on the left handlebar that is used to lock the reverse cable actuator in place. Make sure there’s no bolt in it. That’s the manual safety.

 

[SamUK]

The reverse lock out mechanism is inside the right side engine cover, you need to drain the oil and remove the cover.
I’ve attached a video which may help you identify its location. Ignore most of the video as this is describing where to modify to fit a gear reduction.

Hope this helps

 

[fishfiles]

You might not have to never the cover , someone may have adjusted the reverse lock out cable so as to not have to use it right on the side of the case pic in Sam video is an adjustment

 

[shadetree]

The reverse lock out mechanism is inside the right side engine cover, you need to drain the oil and remove the cover.
I’ve attached a video which may help you identify its location. Ignore most of the video as this is describing where to modify to fit a gear reduction.

https://youtu.be/vRzJT3d6_rU

Hope this helps

please don't tell folks they have to remove the right side cover, there is no need for this if the PO adjusted the adjusting lock nuts on the cable bracket on the reverse cable at the rear / bottom / lower right side of the right side cover. now, if the PO removed this reverse lever at one point ?, then yes, you would be correct.

 

[shadetree]

You might not have to never the cover , someone may have adjusted the reverse lock out cable so as to not have to use it right on the side of the case pic in Sam video is an adjustment

fish is correct ^^^^ !.

 

[SamUK]

There may well be every need knowing how 300’s are modified. It may have the cup and pins removed. Or.... as Fishfiles said, it may be adjusted up tight on the cable.
Take note, I stated the location of the mechanism and where to find it, not the issue ;-)

 

[shadetree]

There may well be every need knowing how 300’s are modified. It may have the cup and pins removed. Or.... as Fishfiles said, it may be adjusted up tight on the cable.
Take note, I stated the location of the mechanism and where to find it, not the issue ;-)

true enough, but saying the right cover has to come off from the get go ?, nope !..lol. most folks use the lock nuts on the cable where I said to do what the owner/OP has stated. on newer atvs, honda doesn't use two adjusting nuts like they did on older atvs such as the trx300's .

 

[SamUK]

There may well be every need knowing how 300’s are modified. It may have the cup and pins removed. Or.... as Fishfiles said, it may be adjusted up tight on the cable.
Take note, I stated the location of the mechanism and where to find it, not the issue ;-)

true enough, but saying the right cover has to come off from the get go ?, nope !..lol. most folks use the lock nuts on the cable where I said to do what the owner/OP has stated. on newer atvs, honda doesn't use two adjusting nuts like they did on older atvs such as the trx300's .

To be honest the first thing that came to mind was that it may have had a GR fitted at some point and had the cup and pins removed. Always assume the worst, it’s a bonus when things aren’t as bad as they seem lol.

 

[fishfiles]

So what happens when you depress the R button on the left hand brake lever and pull the lever , do you feel any resistance , does it have any spring , is it like there is nothing there ? that R falls off some times and there will just be a button with no knob on top