Shifter and linkage

[Matt Chapter]

I happened to notice that my shift lever was wobbly left to right, so I took the footpeg off and tightened it up.  Replaced the footpeg (in a different position than before) and thought I was good to go.  Noticed it was loose again a few days ago, went to perform the same procedure and found either the bolt or the footpeg bracket is stripped.  (And the shift lever is again in a different position.)  I'm going to order a new footpeg bracket, as soon as I find one for sale, but while I'm in there I seem to remember stories of a better linkage.  Does anyone know where to find it?

(Since I'm leaving for a little 1500 mile jaunt to New Mexico tomorrow I need to reposition the shift lever again tonight, when I should be packing!)

[Barry]

Providing it wasn't already loose additional tightening of the pivot bolt won't do anything to eliminate play because the bolt has a shoulder on it. The only way to eliminate side to side shift lever play is to shim it or perhaps turn down the shoulder a little. I suspect a lot of criticism of the wire coat hanger linkage is down to excess play on the shift lever even from the factory. Mine was much improved once I shimmed it and there is no play in the linkage.

[montmil]

Barry is correct regarding the wear of the shouldered bolt. Plain washers are too thick to use as a shim. Big Box DIY stores have suitable thin washers which may need to be reamed to fit the pivot/peg bolt. That's what I did. Then there's this?

[peteremc]

Having just alluded to one of the tractor-like features of the R65 in another thread and then seeing these photos, I vote for the item in photo #1 ! Genius

[Barry]

Having just alluded to one of the tractor-like features of the R65 in another thread and then seeing these photos, I vote for the item in photo #1 ! Genius

Of course, who wouldn't looking at it but when unworn it works fine and it's not always the cause or at least not the whole cause of a sloppy lever problem. Shimming end play in the lever pivot is also needed.

[Matt Chapter]

Monte's second picture looks similar to my current configuration, except mine's quite a bit looser.  I need to get a photo of the problem I'm having, but I think the first step is to replace the footpeg bracket, since it's bent anyways.

[montmil]

As slop develops at the aluminum shifter due to peg & pivot wear, it's shim time. Pretty danged pricey to buy a new left-side foot peg and a new shift lever. All that loosey-goosey issue can then contribute to wallerin' out (that's a Texas Technical Term) the hole where that danged paperclip link resides.

One of the nice things about the Heim joint linkage that I make is all the rotation takes place at the ball bearing joint rather than the levers on both the shift and gearbox. The other feature is the threaded link which permits adjusting the lever's rubber to fit your boot. The trans lever is hard steel so there is all but nil wear. The p'clip is still a pitiful design.

[Justin B.]

I may have one of these adjustables left...

[Justin B.]

Went out to the shop and I do have one of these left from the last batch I made.  If anybody wants/needs one PM me...

[BPT]

PM sent.

[Matt Chapter]

Here's a photo of my existing setup, you can see the shifter is loose at the footpeg which is one problem.



The linkage also seems loose but I haven't investigated if it's adjustable or not.

[marcmax]

I had a similar problem on mine when I first got the bike. I took shifter off and reamed out the hole to acommodate an appropriate size bronze bushing. Haven't had an issue since and that was 7-8 years ago

[montmil]

I've sold quite a few of the Heim joint linkages that I make via IBMWR classifieds. Complete with photo instructions for $40.00 post paid in lower 48. Three on hand. The BMW OEM shift link like Matt's is $55.00 from Max BMW. PM works. Operators standing by.

[Tony Smith]

I've sold quite a few of the Heim joint linkages that I make via IBMWR classifieds.

And Monte they are a thing of beauty and a joy forever. However if I may make one small suggestion. Please consider using metric parts, when I bought one from you I had dust off the worst of the rust on my imperial spanners in order to fit them.

[Tony Smith]

Matt Please post pictures of your CB400F.

I had a red one and when I first met my wife she owned a blue one. It doesn't get more kitsch than that......