Replacing that cheap shifter linkage.....

[dewjantim]

I didn't like the way my R65 LS shifted gears. The shift linkage was a cheaply made piece of heavy wire with clips to hold it on. I purchased the later heim joint linkage which is a metal rod with adjustments on each end. The attachment points on the trans shifter lever and the foot lever must be drilled to accomidate the larger bolts from the new linkage. Be sure to use a really good drill bit on the trans lever, it is made of some kind of hardened steel and is REALLY HARD. I would recomment replacing the nuts on the new linkage with nylock nuts, one of mine came loose on a trip and the linkage fell off. The bike shifts much better now without all those false neutrals which I had before......Dew.

[Justin B.]

Or, you can buy an even beefier replacement from me for less money!  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260165499439&rd=1

edit - Link above is real old, no longer valid...

[suecanada]

Thanks for the tip Justin...I bet I forgot this from some time in the past or have you just started making these. I am going to treat LRB and maybe I can avoid those nasty unwanted neutrals too.

LRB is going to have a top end job done so he will need a nice new shifter as a present for being brave.

[Justin B.]

I've been making them for a couple of years,  probably sold 70 to 80 of them.

You'll love your top-end job.  My '81 R100 seemed like a new bike after that.  On top of valve issues mine had large chunks of the NikaSil lining falling out that played hell with the compression...  Make sure you inspect everything real good as I also had one lifter that had real bad spalling where it contacted the cam.

[dewjantim]

Justin, sure wish I had known about you making these. I would have saved a few bucks and some drill bits too...... you making anything else I need to know about......Dew.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I suppose with all of the other goodies going on the bike, I might have to (finally) get one of Justin's as well.

I never thought my box shifted poorly, but I do get occasional blanks between 2 and 3.

[thrang]

I could with one of them for the RT. Think I'll email the seller and see if he will send them over the pond.
Doh! Hey Justin how much to send one over here?

[Justin B.]

I've been charging between $3.50 and $3.75 for International First Class Mail.  Unfurtunately, that mode has no kind of tracking or insurance.  I think about the cheapest way to do that is to register it and that adds $8 or so to the postage.  Only overseas shipments that have gotten lost, though, have been Spain (1), Italy (1), Phillippeans (1).

[Justin B.]

Dew, I sell the stainless carb top screws, wheel balancers, and keys, mostly.  I have been known to sell some other stainless hardware but I'm too lazy to put together a "kit", even though I have a good supply of probably all visible hardware in stainless.  I might be badgered into making stainless steel axles but I would like to wait until I have road-tested one for a while to make sure they'll hold up.  Someday I'll make one for a bike I ride more than just on occasion...

[thrang]

About $40 then Thats cheeper than the late model BMW linkage, I have one please.I'll drop you an IM top sort out the details when I get home.
Cheers
Tony

[dewjantim]

Dew, I sell the stainless carb top screws, wheel balancers, and keys, mostly.  I have been known to sell some other stainless hardware but I'm too lazy to put together a "kit", even though I have a good supply of probably all visible hardware in stainless.  I might be badgered into making stainless steel axles but I would like to wait until I have road-tested one for a while to make sure they'll hold up.  Someday I'll make one for a bike I ride more than just on occasion...

Thanks Justin, I'll get back with you later.......Dew.

[nhmaf]

As a very happy customer, I can vouch for the quality of Justin's shift linkage.  I've only
a few hundred miles on the bike since I put it (and the rebuilt transmission) in, but it
shifts almost effortlessly now - maybe not quite as smooth as my KAwasaki, but ALOT
better than it used to.

Now that Tillie also has some sticky new BT45 sneakers, the experience is even better !
A little more dialing in of the carbs and I'll be closing in on airhead nirvana !
 

[Justin B.]

Thanks!  I have 2 full years and about 10k miles on my "prototype" (the one in the auction picture) and it still works/looks like it did the day I installed it.

[boxerkerl]

Justin,

I bought the newer linkage from a local shop but took it back because:

1. I didn't really want to drill either lever

2. The linkage was threaded in such a way it would have worn away the aluminum lever hole

3. Not enough meat to over drill and add a bushing

The link above is dead. Could you give me more info on your linkage. I don't like pivots that are threaded. How does yours attach?

Thanks,

Rick

[MrRiden]

I'll vouch for Justin's wheel balancer, a fine piece to have. Justin, I also can't get the link to werk. I think its time to get the shifter upgrade as well.
rich