Stiff Shifting

[RobbieKNobbie]

When I bought my (new) '89 FJ1200 a few weeks ago, it had it' s fair share of problems for a 3 decade old sport bike. That's to be expected, and really, overcoming these little issues allows a new owner to better know their bike better.

Well, one of the issues I had was an overly stiff shifter. I mentioned it here and some folks gave some good suggestions but none of them quite hit the spot. Fast forward to yesterday and I'm taking the shift linkage off the bike to remove some of the rust that's on the surface of the chrome plating. When I take the rubber boots off the rod ends, it's all rusty inside there! I mean *inside* the spherical joint itself. Furthermore, the shifter pivot is all corroded as well. a few minutes flushing the rust out with wd-40, followed up by blowing out the wd-40 and working in some thick lube oil has made all the difference in the world. She now shifts as light as a feather, and I feel I deserve a good self-kicking for overlooking basic maintenance before complaining about the unfriendly characteristics of such a fine motorcycle.

So the lesson here is, maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!



Key words: Stiff shifting, hard shifting, stuck shifter, gear change, gearbox

[balky1]

When I bought my (new) '89 FJ1200 a few weeks ago, it had it' s fair share of problems for a 3 decade old sport bike. That's to be expected, and really, overcoming these little issues allows a new owner to better know their bike better.

Well, one of the issues I had was an overly stiff shifter. I mentioned it here and some folks gave some good suggestions but none of them quite hit the spot. Fast forward to yesterday and I'm taking the shift linkage off the bike to remove some of the rust that's on the surface of the chrome plating. When I take the rubber boots off the rod ends, it's all rusty inside there! I mean *inside* the spherical joint itself. Furthermore, the shifter pivot is all corroded as well. a few minutes flushing the rust out with wd-40, followed up by blowing out the wd-40 and working in some thick lube oil has made all the difference in the world. She now shifts as light as a feather, and I feel I deserve a good self-kicking for overlooking basic maintenance before complaining about the unfriendly characteristics of such a fine motorcycle.

So the lesson here is, maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!



Key words: Stiff shifting, hard shifting, stuck shifter, gear change, gearbox

When I noticed your 'Stiff Shifting' title, the same thing you did was first that crossed my mind. When you ride it continously you don't notice the subtle changes in hardness, but when you lube it - OMG.
Try it also on the levers and the rear brake lever. 

[RobbieKNobbie]

Yup, the day after I bought the bike I lubed all the levers and cables, even the rear brake, but for some reason I neglected the shifter

This winter I plan to take her off the road for a couple weeks for a light tear-down to get rid of all this surface rust, re-paint the bodywork, and replace all the suspension bearings. I'm a little afraid of what I'll find around the rear shock - it doesn't look like the previous owners were too diligent with the maintenance.

[timleslie1957]

Wow.  Going to put that on my list for winter work.  Great input!   

[TexasDave]

My girlfriend says she doesn't see anything wrong with having a stiff shifter..................especially at my age.   

Dave

[ribbert]

My girlfriend says she doesn't see anything wrong with having a stiff shifter..................especially at my age.   

Dave

Providing you can get it into gear.

Noel

[Pat Conlon]

My girlfriend says she doesn't see anything wrong with having a stiff shifter..................especially at my age.   

Dave

Providing you can get it into gear.

Noel

Providing you can get even get started.....

[PaulG]

... I'm a little afraid of what I'll find around the rear shock - it doesn't look like the previous owners were too diligent with the maintenance.

Don't be afraid but be prepared to be befuddled. The relay arm on my '92 shrunk to 1/2 it's size once I scraped 23yrs of road tar & chain lube & gravel off it. Had to replace the 5 needle bearings inside - along with every other bearing in the pic.  Will improve handling substantially. No more wandering on long sweepers and off ramps.

Ok back to shifting now...

[Flynt]

My girlfriend says she doesn't see anything wrong with having a stiff shifter..................especially at my age.   

Dave

Providing you can get it into gear.

Noel

Providing you can get even get started.....

Easy Pat...

[Sparky84]

My girlfriend says she doesn't see anything wrong with having a stiff shifter..................especially at my age.   

Dave

Providing you can get it into gear.

Noel

Providing you can get even get started.....

Maybe it's because your doin the shifting...

[ribbert]

My girlfriend says she doesn't see anything wrong with having a stiff shifter..................especially at my age.   

Dave

Providing you can get it into gear.

Noel

Providing you can get even get started.....

Shouldn't be a problem, he's got the pull start model.

[Bones]

My girlfriend says she doesn't see anything wrong with having a stiff shifter..................especially at my age.   

Dave

Providing you can get it into gear.

Noel

Providing you can get even get started.....

Shouldn't be a problem, he's got the pull start model.

That's ok as long as it's not a two stroke.

[FJ1100mjk]

My girlfriend says she doesn't see anything wrong with having a stiff shifter..................especially at my age.  

Dave

Providing you can get it into gear.

Noel

Providing you can get even get started.....

Maybe it's because your doin the shifting...

Shouldn't be a problem, he's got the pull start model.

Hey Dave:

Don't be concerned with the negativism, these guys are just relating their own personal experiences!  

They'd probably be lucky if they can even pee out of it anymore.

[rlucas]

Don't be concerned with the negativism, these guys are just relating their own personal experiences!  
They'd probably be lucky if they can even pee out of it anymore.

Just don't stick it in "Reverse" by accident.

And it's not whether we can pee out of it any more. We can. A lot more frequently than it used to require, trust me on this. You'll see.

[FJ1100mjk]

Don't be concerned with the negativism, these guys are just relating their own personal experiences!  
They'd probably be lucky if they can even pee out of it anymore.

And it's not whether we can pee out of it any more. We can. A lot more frequently than it used to require, trust me on this. You'll see.

As usual, there's help for the afflicted. In this case, the BPH Boys.

Now who from this forum, does the fourth guy from the left look like?