When I start it it runs fine, but when I put it in forward it grinds like crazy and then stalls. Anyone know what it could be?

The First thing to do is try to lower your idle as low as you can without stalling. Always shift at idle.

They grind, they all do. I have found that the best method for shifting is to be quick and deliberate with it. Cuts the grind out or at least to a minimum.

Cheers, Curtis

Also, welcome to the forum!

it is as low as possible it is the first time it has just cut the Engine when I shift though.

Thanks! I have had an fl250 for 8 years and got my 350 a year ago.

If it stalls when you shift I would say the idle should be turned up a little. Lift the shit knob and throw it into gear.

I will try that. when I was driving it it lurched and died and that that started happening.

Awesome!

Any questions just ask. All these machines have their quirks but this site is filled with knowledge a knowledge people to fix and improve just about anything.

One guy put a bicycle brake lever on his e-brake handle. When he pulled it, it would hold his secondary clutch still and allow him to shift with no grind at all. That is what causes the grind, the clutch/gear spinning when you shift.

Maybe you got an old belt on there causing more tension than necessary?

Will go check that. how do I tell if my belt is old?

They usually grind but they should not stall. Check the deflection of your drive belt. Should be 1.5"~2" of deflection. If its too tight its not disengaging. Second check your drive clutch to make sure it is releasing the belt, especially at idle and when not running too. 3rd, don't let your transmission input shaft spin on an FL350 in neutral for long. The bearings starve of oil and eventually let loose ending in total transmission destruction.