So I have been going over my bike trying to get it ready for the spring and I am checking the shifter and it is loose around the bolt that mounts on. The bolt that screws right in the rear set. The both is tight but the shift lever is loose around the bolt. Looks like it is missing a bushing or something. So, i took the bolt out to see if there is a warn out washer around the bolt. No washer, just grease. Is it how it is supposed to be or am I missing something.
Is you shift lever loose and cluncky around the mounting bolt?

 

My is a little too, then again the bike is 7 years old....but it only has 5700 miles....so maybe it is just like that......Good question....

 

No it is not supposed to be loose. They is supposed to be some play in the exchange rod, but the fat bolt that holds it to the rear set is supposed to be tight. If memory serves, there is supposed to be a large washer on the inside edge of the shifter assembly where it attaches to the body.

 

Thanx Loco. I know the rod is supposed to have play in it. But I am talking about the lever itself. Yes there is a washer on it. But the lever is loose around the bolt. Is your the same?

 

I am going home to get my bike, I can check on the shift lever when I come back. I'll have an answer for you within the hour.

 

Awesome. what a Man.

 

Ok.. I checked on mine, and its a little loose, but not really loose. It makes the whole shift lever a tad wobbly, but that's the way it's supposed to be. There is no extra washer.

Lol.. thanks for the compliment, but I was going home to get my bike before you posted your question!

 

G'day guys.

There is a thread in Technical Discussion called "Shifting on the SH" which goes into the whole shifting mechanism in more detail. This should tell you everything there is to know.

I am used to dirt bikes where there is no linkage play at all, so I was horrified by the VTR and went looking for a solution. The shifters on new bikes have heaps of play in them, not just used bikes.

In order to remove this play you are referring to, get a machine shop to put a brass bush in it for you. This will sort it out nicely. Buying a new one is not much use because they are too sloppy to start with.

 

Ok thanx guys for all the info. That brass fitting idea is not bad. I will have to try it.

 

Good idea, I might look into that too.....of course it hasn't really bothered me that much....

 

It only bothered me after I rode my buddy's RC 51 and I was surprised how taught his shifting was. Mine was clunky compared to his. I have a buddy of mine who is a machinist. i will talk to him and see how he can help me.

 

I would recommend looking at changing the joints on the linkage while you are at it as well, as described in the thread mentioned above. Pretty easy job and cheap parts too.

I also performed a mod on a friends bike last weekend that worked very well. He found that the throw of the shifter, that is the amount you have to lift it up, to change gear meant he was getting false neutrals.

To fix this we shortened the throw of the shifter and it works well. Takes two minutes and is free.

Unbolt your linkage assembly at the gearbox shaft, and rotate it one spline. This will lower you shifter down too low. If it raises the shifter you have rotated it the wrong way. You then adjust the shift rod to move the shifter back to where it was. This preloads the shifting mechanism to remove the play in the assembly. You end up with a shorter throw, and with the mods mentioned above gives a nice smooth shift.

The cream on the cake will be the Factory Pro mechanism if you can afford it.