Loose gearshift lever/linkage

[samjurassic]

Hello everyone,

I recently picked up a 1981 R65 that's been a blast to ride. I noticed there's a bit of play in the gearshift lever, which is contributing to some clunky shifts. I have the Clymer on airheads, but I haven't found any detailed instructions that look like the R65 linkage.

There's a small gap where the gearshift lever attaches to the footpeg/frame, but it doesn't look like there is anything to be done there, aside from using a shim, etc...

The selector rod also feels a bit loose. I tried to tighten the nut where the selector rod attaches to the gearshift lever, but it just spun in place.

Please bear with me here - I'm new to motorcycles and working on them, and I'd appreciate any tips you have. I'm also in NYC, so if there are any members nearby, I'd be happy to pay for a bit of help with some pizza/beer.

Thanks!

[Barry]

There's a small gap where the gearshift lever attaches to the footpeg/frame, but it doesn't look like there is anything to be done there, aside from using a shim, etc...

Welcome Sam,

Slop in the gear lever is not uncommon. There was some variation over the years as to whether the lever rotated on a bearing, sleeve or just in the plain alloy of the lever.  Mine was the latter but despite that it turned out that end play was the major problem. I made a shim to fit and it firmed up the lever substantially. Some will tell you the bent wire linkage is the cause of play in the lever but while it certainly isn't an elegant engineering solution and it could wear it was not the cause of play in my case.

[montmil]

You can go from this...


To this, and improve the shifting on your R65.


Wear in the aluminum shift lever pivot and on the foot peg shift lever bolt contributes to the slop. Shimming the lever's gap can help. The price of a new lever and peg bolt is eye watering.

$40.00 post paid in the USA. If interested, PM me for additional info.

[wilcom]

$40.00 post paid in the USA. If interested, PM me for additional info.  

Monty,

Put me down for the next run..........  I didn't realize I had the POS shifter till it was too late.

[arvo92]

I personally do get some weird shifts as well - neutrals between 2 and 3 gear, hard time downshifting from 3rd to 2nd etc. At times the shifting is easy as pie, at times it is like saying goes - "if you can not find it, grind it"

So you all are saying that it is because of this wire linkage? I have to look into it. I do know that with the crash I had I broke the gear shift lever and that just might add to the sloppiness of all.

[AlfromNH]

When I was rebuilding my starter I need a shim washer which I had to buy from McMaster Carr. I had to buy a pack of 5 although I only needed 1. Turns out it was also perfect fit, and the right thickness to take up most of the play in my shift lever.

If anyone is interested, pm me and I can put one in the mail to you.

[samjurassic]

Thanks, everyone.

I actually do have the replacement selector rod that the previous owner picked up on this forum - but I think I need to drill out the hole in the shift lever to install it, according to previous owner.

That and the shim sounds like a sizable improvement.

I guess what I am after is a step-by-step to removing/installing and adjusting the rod, if anyone knows a good source.

[davidpdx]

Someone that had ridden airheads for years told me that the "proper" way to shift them is to put a little preload on the lever before pulling in the clutch and then shift. When I remember to to this I never get false neutral between gears. The other idea is to skip the clutch altogether, dangerous but fun.