Not sure I posted in the correct category but I recently picked up a 1978 DT250 for a couple hundred bucks and have been working on it for about a week and now im running into an issue with it shifting, when I bought the bike it shifted into all 5 gears just fine but now after getting it running it will only go into first and neutral and having it running or off and turning the sprocket (Swingarm and wheel are off the bike) doesn't help, anyone have any ideas as to what could cause this, it's really annoying as the bike is so close to riding.

Could be a couple of things.

First up, have a look at the "Shift Cam - Fork" section of the parts list on Partzilla, CMSNL etc, and check out items numbered 10 to 13 inclusive.

Then remove the bolt from the underside of the engine (it looks like another sump bolt) and see if the cam stopper and spring are present and in decent order. They sometimes get lost if an owner mistakes the bolt for the drain plug.

I removed the bolt and all the parts shown in the diagram seem to be present and in good shape

Oh and when I go to reinstall it does it need to be in neutral?

Symptoms make it sound like the clutch cover has been of

I took the clutch cover off to see if there is anything out of place but im kind of lost when it comes to bikes  im used to VWs 

Clutch cover was off before to inspect the clutch and I was tilting the engine around with the cover off how do I reset the shaft?

Edit:
ooohhh oooh ooh I think I might have it it goes into other gears now, just need to put the cover back on and check

If you look at the first link then the second link the two toothed items have to meet up centrally aligned. Return spring 6 on the change arm has to be on the post or there will be no return for the lever, but probably stays put at spring post on on the lever arm has a little step to stop it getting off easily. Might need to remove the clutch but don't think so--so long as you can eyeball the teeth on both items to match up.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcy...8/dt250e/shift-shaft
www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcy...t250e/shift-cam-fork

Yyaaaaayyy!! All 5 gears again thank you RT325 just played with the shifter shaft thingy move it in different spots and bam gears 2-5 magically appeared again

thank you to anyone who replied

Oh and one more stupid question what do I call this bike its completely stripped dt250 is it an enduro or a dirt bike or what would it be called

Great satisfaction in sorting out yourself. Top marks. A 'pic' of your bike would be good. Just call it your 'dirt play bike'. Doesn't matter how bad it looks [should see mine lol, rough as a bears bum].

Yeah its always an uplifting feeling knowing you were able to fix the issue yourself most people nowdays dont know that feeling they just go take it somewhere or give up, and here's some pics of my "dirt play bike" a little before and after, had the bike blown into a hundred pieces day after I got it 
crappy spray paint job but its lightyears ahead of the spray paint job when I got the bike