after market shift linkage

[Patrick_Krivacka]

i haven't heard back from Justin B about his shift linkage's. I'm not giving up, I know we all have a lot going on besides motorcycles, but I thought I might try lining up a plan B just in case. So, any other leads on an aftermarket shift linkage? I'm a little shocked at how cheap and cheesy the stock one is.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I can get you a replacement "coathanger" wire in the mail ASAP for free, if you want to go there as a temporary measure.

I have one of Justin's.  I don't need my old one, anymore.

[montmil]

My '81 R65 had the bent coat hanger wire link but now uses the Justin Industries Heim-joint link. More gooder, fer sure, although the shift lever slop required some machining to fit a replacement bushing sourced from Ace Hardware & BMW Supply.

My '83 has an OEM link similar but slightly smaller than the JI unit. Try the BMW parts fiche for the part number, then shop for your best price.

[smiley=2cents.gif]
Monte

PS: I believe Justin may be OOS on his shifter links. Thought that topic came up some months ago...?

[Patrick_Krivacka]

thanks Monte & Rob. Justin sent me an message saying he was going to see if he had the parts to make one up. Rob has also generously offered me his 'coat hanger' linkage to get me buy for a while. You guys are great!

[DanielMc]

I bought one of these stainless steel linkages from Holland - superb, but expensive:

http://www.bmwboxersupplies.com/product_info.php/cPath/11/products_id/73

[Yikes]

That stainless steel piece from Holland looks very similar to what you get when you order a replacement from BMW.  Also kind of expensive, but at least it's not a straight replacement of the bent wire original.

[montmil]

Here's what we're talking about...


OEM "paper clip" with broken rubber. Who shot that red arrow?


Better!

Monte

[Justin B.]

I don't have joints in stock to make any more and I'm not inclined to order any and have them laying around so I can loose them!  If there is enough interest - pre-paid orders - I will order the necessary bits and turn out a batch.  They sold like hot-cakes on flea-bay for a couple of years and toward the end I would have to re-list them several times which made it not worth my while to make any more...

[Patrick_Krivacka]

first- thanks to everyone who replied. A special thanks to rob and justin, who were both wiling to go above and beyond the call of duty to help a brother out. Rob sent me his old 'coat hanger' to get me back on the road, and Justin was willing to dig up one, even though he didn't have one  on hand. I called Bob's Bmw just to find out if they carried the upgraded version, and to get a price. well, they had it for $37, and it's the ball and socket type, so I decided to go for it. Rob, Justin I'm sorry. I wish I had figured this out sooner and saved y'all the trouble. Though, it really goes to show what great folks we have here.

[nhmaf]

If I end up with another airhead this year I will be interested in ordering one.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

i received my new shift linkage from Bob's Bmw today. very fast delivery; I ordered it just yesterday. took me a couple of minutes to put it on (had to slightly enlarge the holes). I took it for a test ride. I was impressed with the improvement in the shifting between gears. I now believe that the old linkage was pretty messed up before it broke . i also received Robs 'coat hanger' shifter today, and it was different then my stock linkage. mine was bent. I can't say for sure it was bent before it broke, but I believe it was. i think it might have been a PO's idea of an 'adjustment'. Anyway, I'm happy to be back on the road.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Yes, I had to enlarge the holes on my shift-parts when I installed Justin's version.

[Yikes]

Glad to hear you're back on the road i-man.  That's one thing you'll never have to worry with again. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Melena]

Thanks for posting those pictures Monte.  Now I understand what you guys have been talking about.  

I should check my bike out to see what kind of shape that is in on it.  Unfortunately it's still at the mechanics waiting for the heads to be returned.  Maybe I'll go over and give it a visit tomorrow.   I'd like to check that out.  

Maybe if enough of us get together and want one of Justin's we can get him to make some more.  He doesn't have anything else to do, right?     (Sure, just like the rest of us. )  At least we don't have an emergency like  i-man did.  It might be worth getting one before we need it.  

Okay!  Here is what he said.  

I don't have joints in stock to make any more and I'm not inclined to order any and have them laying around so I can loose them!If there is enough interest - pre-paid orders - I will order the necessary bits and turn out a batch.They sold like hot-cakes on flea-bay for a couple of years and toward the end I would have to re-list them several times which made it not worth my while to make any more...  

I wonder how much interest is enough?  Let's see..........maybe nhmaf, and me.  That's only 2, and those aren't even for sure.   Well, we'll see how it goes.  We'll start a thread about that when we know more.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

Melena,  if your linkage is stock, change it. The linkage from Bob's Bmw was $34 plus s&h. a little high, but very worth it to me. like you, i would have rather had Justin's (less expensive, maybe higher quality, and I like the idea of keeping it in the family, so to speak) but if there's not enough interest to make it happen, the Bmw part is a good option.
  It really is a little shocking what a difference the new linkage makes, compared to the 'coat hanger'. as I rode to work this morning, my thoughts shifted between admiration  over the difference the new linkage made, and being mad at bmw for having put such a lame part on in the first place. Maybe there should be a sticky for new r65 owners-CHANGE YOUR STOCK SHIFT LINKAGE!!!!!