Issues shifting 2nd-3rd - too much freeplay

pawtracks · May 11, 2006

I will preface this by:

-Just getting back into riding after ~2 years off

(I've had my 2005 Non-ABS FJR for 6 weeks, 1500 miles)

FJR has 10,000 miles

-Bought new boots with new bike

I notice when shifting from 2nd-3rd what feels like a lot of "slack" in the shift lever.

First few times out I was always missing the shift (had to try a few times to get it to go) by the time I got into 3rd lots of the momentum was gone. (not smooth)

What I do now, I will describe like this:

-I angle my foot, point my toe down a little lower and sort of ratchet my foot up once or twice to remove the "slack" from the shift lever. Then complete the shift as normal and it clicks right into 3rd nice and smooth.

It feels to me my boot fits fine under the shift lever. If I don't use this technique it doesn't feel like I can lift my foot high enough to put it into 3rd.

I wouldn't necessarily describe this as pre-loading the shift lever but maybe that is what it is.

I have always thought of pre-loading as riding with constant pressure on the shift lever even at times when you are not prepared to shift gears.

I don't have any issues 1st-2nd or 4th-5th.

A slight feeling from 3rd-4th but nothing like 2nd-3rd.

Just looking for some feedback.

Is this normal?

Could there be something wrong?

Is this fixed or reduced by changing to another shift lever? (I thought I saw something a few weeks back, but could not find it in a search)

Groo · May 11, 2006

Where is your shift lever adjusted to in terms of the full range? There are 2 little markers on the side of the bike by the shifter... is it smack dab in the middle, or at the top or bottom of the range? You might try adjusting it to see if that helps. You could also swap out the shift linkage with the one from the R1 (a few of us have done this... it's a plug and play swapout), which makes the throw shorter on the shift lever.

Another thing to try is see if you still encounter it with a different set of footwear. I've got two sets of boots, and have to shift a bit differently depending on which ones I'm wearing.

pawtracks · May 11, 2006

Groo said:
Where is your shift lever adjusted to in terms of the full range? There are 2 little markers on the side of the bike by the shifter... is it smack dab in the middle, or at the top or bottom of the range? You might try adjusting it to see if that helps. You could also swap out the shift linkage with the one from the R1 (a few of us have done this... it's a plug and play swapout), which makes the throw shorter on the shift lever.
Another thing to try is see if you still encounter it with a different set of footwear. I've got two sets of boots, and have to shift a bit differently depending on which ones I'm wearing.

I see the two little marks, never would have thought they were anything more than a design or casting marks of some kind. My shift lever is smack dab in the middle. Does the service manual discuss adjusting (I haven't read it cover-cover yet)

Any special year R1?

I will try it with a pair of running shoes to see if it is the boots. If it is I guess I will just have to adjust.

Thanks for the advice.

Just wanted to run my thoughts past the experts to see if something could be wrong or just normal FJR operation.

weekend rider · May 12, 2006

An 06 AE would be a good choice for a problem solver

Groo · May 12, 2006

I see the two little marks, never would have thought they were anything more than a design or casting marks of some kind. My shift lever is smack dab in the middle. Does the service manual discuss adjusting (I haven't read it cover-cover yet)

Yes, it's in the manual. There is a linkage rod that you can adjust it with...

Any special year R1?I will try it with a pair of running shoes to see if it is the boots. If it is I guess I will just have to adjust.

I'll have to dig that up... I think it's one of the previous years... I probably have the part number that I ordered...

Thanks for the advice.Just wanted to run my thoughts past the experts to see if something could be wrong or just normal FJR operation.

Glad to be of help.

FJrider1 · May 12, 2006

I experienced the same thing, adjusted shift rod to upper mark, no problems since...

pawtracks · May 12, 2006

weekend rider said:
An 06 AE would be a good choice for a problem solver

That would go over well with the Mrs...

But, seriously I don't have a problem with the clutch lever, just the amount of play in the shift lever. (in 1 of 5 gears)

Hopefully a little adjustment, possibly a lever from an R1 or getting used to my new boots will resolve this issue.

radman · May 12, 2006

pawtracks said:
Any special year R1?I will try it with a pair of running shoes to see if it is the boots. If it is I guess I will just have to adjust.

Thanks for the advice.

Just wanted to run my thoughts past the experts to see if something could be wrong or just normal FJR operation.

5JJ-18112-00-00 Shift Arm

2001 R1, the one I used.

pawtracks · May 15, 2006

Wow!

What a difference.

It was not the boots, I adjusted the shift lever to a little below the upper alignment mark before leaving for work this morning.

Shifting is so much cleaner now.

Nice, short, effortless clicks.

For those of you who have the R1 shift lever mod?

Where is your lever aligned? (Top-middle-bottom mark)

Mine will be here later this week from Gary McCoy ~$30

Not 100% certain if I will install it yet or not.

Thanks again everyone!

:yahoo:

mindtrip · May 15, 2006

I've had a wierd problem with shifting as well, but it sort of comes and goes. Some times it seems effortless to shift (especially in the lower gears 1-3) other times it seems very tight, and I have to push hard to get it to shift. Especially annoying when this happens while I'm trying to find 'N' as I have to push hard enough that I miss it. But I can't say that the shifts have seemed to 'loose' (ie long travel in the shifter before shifting), just that it sometimes gets 'tight'. Now when I comes to other things I'd rather have tight than loose any day....

But I'll try checking the alignment.

FJRMGM · May 15, 2006

install the R1 shift lever - it does make quite a difference. Mine is lined up with the marks.

pawtracks · May 15, 2006

FJRMGM said:
install the R1 shift lever - it does make quite a difference. Mine is lined up with the marks.

Right in between the two marks?

or?

FJRMGM · May 15, 2006

yes - in between the marks..

jdfsau · May 22, 2006

pawtracks said:
I will preface this by:
-Just getting back into riding after ~2 years off

(I've had my 2005 Non-ABS FJR for 6 weeks, 1500 miles)

FJR has 10,000 miles

-Bought new boots with new bike

I notice when shifting from 2nd-3rd what feels like a lot of "slack" in the shift lever.

First few times out I was always missing the shift (had to try a few times to get it to go) by the time I got into 3rd lots of the momentum was gone. (not smooth)

What I do now, I will describe like this:

-I angle my foot, point my toe down a little lower and sort of ratchet my foot up once or twice to remove the "slack" from the shift lever. Then complete the shift as normal and it clicks right into 3rd nice and smooth.

It feels to me my boot fits fine under the shift lever. If I don't use this technique it doesn't feel like I can lift my foot high enough to put it into 3rd.

I wouldn't necessarily describe this as pre-loading the shift lever but maybe that is what it is.

I have always thought of pre-loading as riding with constant pressure on the shift lever even at times when you are not prepared to shift gears.

I don't have any issues 1st-2nd or 4th-5th.

A slight feeling from 3rd-4th but nothing like 2nd-3rd.

Just looking for some feedback.

Is this normal?

Could there be something wrong?

Is this fixed or reduced by changing to another shift lever? (I thought I saw something a few weeks back, but could not find it in a search)

Bike Effects · May 22, 2006

pawtracks said:
For those of you who have the R1 shift lever mod?Where is your lever aligned? (Top-middle-bottom mark)

Everyone elses legs are going to be different than yours, not to mention their footware. It is a trial and error process, but an easy one.

fjrbob · May 23, 2006

pawtracks said:
Wow!What a difference.

It was not the boots, I adjusted the shift lever to a little below the upper alignment mark before leaving for work this morning.

Shifting is so much cleaner now.

Nice, short, effortless clicks.

For those of you who have the R1 shift lever mod?

Where is your lever aligned? (Top-middle-bottom mark)

Mine will be here later this week from Gary McCoy ~$30

Not 100% certain if I will install it yet or not.

Thanks again everyone!

:yahoo:

Some more great information from this forum!!! I too noticed more slack than I was used to in the shifter and didn't even think about any adjustments. Thanks for the great tip guys!!!

Issues shifting 2nd-3rd - too much freeplay

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