I checked the linkage. The linkage is not tight and loose. It seems to be internal? Sometimes it will down shift. Sometimes it will up shift. It is not returning to the normal position. It is stiff. The bike has 2100 miles on it.
2012 FJR won't shift
- Thread starter GigaHz
- Start date
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Is the clutch working correctly? Is it disengaging when the lever is fully pulled in? The FJR has a crappy clutch assembly. Probably old Budweiser beer cans. The plates love to stick. When they do your gears will not go in or out smoothly. Only cure is to get another bike or take that one apart and attempt to do one of many clutch soaks or replace the whole basket with something that works.
Since you only have 2100 miles on a 2012 I have a suspicion that your clutch plates are all stuck together.
Good luck
Since you only have 2100 miles on a 2012 I have a suspicion that your clutch plates are all stuck together.
Good luck
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Ok. The linkage being stiff has nothing to do with a clutch soak. Is your clutch firm? Again, not a linkage solution, but maybe contributing to an existing issue.
With the low miles, I don't know why the linkage would be dirty, but you may just need to take it apart, grease it up and replace it. It's not hard, but you'll need a 50 torx head. Pay attention to the assembly and be cautious with how much torque you apply when you squeeze the washer down. It's been a while since I've done it, but you'll see what I'm talking about when you get it apart.
With the low miles, I don't know why the linkage would be dirty, but you may just need to take it apart, grease it up and replace it. It's not hard, but you'll need a 50 torx head. Pay attention to the assembly and be cautious with how much torque you apply when you squeeze the washer down. It's been a while since I've done it, but you'll see what I'm talking about when you get it apart.
This is the first major ride this year. It was shifting fine fine 10 to 15 minutes of the ride. I figured she was was warmed up and gave it some beans to maybe 6k. She was not happy shifting since. It is binding. The bike is off and in the garage. I can put the shift lever in any position and it just stays there. The lever never returns to the normal or neutral position. It is not the linkage that is tight. I took off the plate that holds the linkage and it is loose and free. It could be the clutch, but I don't think so.
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Yup 2 different allens and a torx to get the plate off. I realized it must be on the main stand real fast.
Old Guy
Well-known member
I don't think it's the clutch either. Did you clean and lube the linkage while you had it off?
It was loose and flopping in the breeze. I don't think that was the problem. I was hoping it was though.
rPGoatBoy
Well-known member
The spring that returns the shift rod to the middle (neutral) position can be found behind the clutch basket and a stamped metal shield. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that the spring broke, or perhaps the pin holding it in place, or the stamped steel end of the shift rod broke, etc. etc. etc. Maybe it was an assembly error, who knows. Only way to find out though is to take a gander.
Or screw it, the bike's still under warranty, right? Let the dealer worry about it.
Or screw it, the bike's still under warranty, right? Let the dealer worry about it.
wfooshee
O, Woe is me!!
It's a bit of a job getting the clutch basket out, but doable. The spring he's talking about is that one at the top of the picture, that straddles that pin. That's the spring that brings the shifter back to center.
The spring at the bottom keeps tension on the roller that follows the star cam, locating the shift drum positions for each gear.
And there's yet another spring behind that metal arm at the bottom, that handles the ratchet action on the star cam. It catches a pin, and when the shifter returns to center the arm that catches those pins slides past the pin to get the next one, almost like a clock escapement.
Any of those springs being broken or out of place will cause issues, but if the lever doesn't return to center, then you're probably looking at the top one.
The spring at the bottom keeps tension on the roller that follows the star cam, locating the shift drum positions for each gear.
And there's yet another spring behind that metal arm at the bottom, that handles the ratchet action on the star cam. It catches a pin, and when the shifter returns to center the arm that catches those pins slides past the pin to get the next one, almost like a clock escapement.
Any of those springs being broken or out of place will cause issues, but if the lever doesn't return to center, then you're probably looking at the top one.
RossKean
Well-known member
Just a note on the reassembly of the shifter after taking it apart for maintenance/lubrication. Use Loctite on the bolt but do NOT tighten it too much. It will bind and you won't get the lever to return to the middle spot so it can ratchet to the next gear.
I am an *****. I took it all apart and the linkage is flopping around. I said that can't be it. The top ball was tight and I had to pull hard to get it away from the bike to check the linkage. So I put it all back together, and in the middle of the night I think that top ball can't be tight. I run down and lube it and walla the shifter is returning to the neutral middle state. I haven't rode it yet, but I think it might be fixed.
Mihalis fjr
Well-known member
Great news!!So,happy end..!
Old Guy
Well-known member
08FJR4ME
-WYNPRO-
You need to ride more.The old girl needs a kick more often.
Hope its fixed,
Dave
Hope its fixed,
Dave
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rPGoatBoy
Well-known member
We should probably have a thread called "I am an *****" for all of the times that statement has been thrown around here. It could be populated as a thread repository much like NEPRT. It would be a quick reference guide for problems solved in short order after the owner has a brain fart followed by an epiphany.
I wouldn't think that it would have needed to be lubed in its short 2100 mile life.
You might want to inspect it closer. It may have been (or still be) defective.
You might want to inspect it closer. It may have been (or still be) defective.
