gear shifter

[jamjakin]

should there be play in my gear shifter, im a new owner got a xb9s does what i want it to, but theres play in my shifter. whats up with that anybody?

 

[AlanS]

What type of 'play'? Are you talking up-and-down, side-to-side…both? At the shift-lever itself?

Next question: how much play (measured)?

To provide this a starting-point...I have an 03' XB9S with a new shift-lever (stock). Grasping the shift lever at the rubber peg, I can move the lever (measured at the peg) side-to-side, and up-and-down about 1/8" (total) on both axes.

Another way of saying this is the shift-lever has about 1/16" 'play' from center in either direction, on the two axes mentioned.

Alan

 

[jamjakin]

there's about 1/4 inch up and down movement little more maybe, shifts good though. everything's tight there just up and down movement going into the primary.

 

[AlanS]

There's no play at all on mine, at the shaft coming out of the primary. It's tight. So if you've got some 'slop' there on yours, between the shift shaft and the primary, I suspect you've got an issue.

I can't tell from looking at mine if there's a bushing around the shaft, or if the shaft runs directly through the primary material. But if you have play at that point allowing 1/4" up/down movement of the shaft within the hole coming out of the primary, it seems something is worn, or damaged…

…if you're saying the shaft turns 1/4" or so before it shifts, mine does the same thing and I'd say you're ok.

Alan

 

[jamjakin]

got to replace clutch cable and oil so be a good time to crack the primary cover off and look huh? anybody else have anything to say about it, chime in please, want to get the bike in tip top shape.

 

[AlanS]

jamjakin, I amended my prior post, based on re-reading yours and giving it some more thought.

Alan

 

[user_deleted]

I can't tell from looking at mine if there's a bushing around the shaft, or if the shaft runs directly through the primary material. But if you have play at that point allowing 1/4" up/down movement of the shaft within the hole coming out of the primary, it seems something is worn, or damaged…

the cover is bushed and press-fit seal on outside. simple design. check that as well as your linkage which connects shift lever to shift shaft.

 

[jamjakin]

the gear selector moves, rotates 1/4 inch freely with out getting in gear or before selecting gear, up and down play could it be springs?

 

[user_deleted]

^^^^^ could be. the best method i can give you to trouble-shoot this sloppiness is this:
if the shift lever feels tight and firm at the mounting area....and they linkage feels tight and firm....and the shaft going thru the cover bushing and seal feels tight and firm....then next thing to look at is the shift pawls inside the cover. each is spring loaded for tension and they are in front of and behind the clutch basket assembly.

 

[jamjakin]

hope its a easy fix, springs don't sound bad, can you usually use your existing primary gasket again? also little oil leaks out of gear shifter to so probly have to go with another seal or bushing huh? didn't pay a ton for the bike thought it was good deal and wanted something to do alittle work on so i can know the bike im riding ya know? only 13000 miles 03 sat for 2 years, def does what im looking for, buzz back and forth to the horse barns I work at, now i got some real horses under me lol! thanks for input.

 

[user_deleted]

can you usually use your existing primary gasket again

you can but for the price of a new and and the shift shaft seal at your local dealer....i would replace it. i never had much luck re-using gaskets but you could try assuming it remains intact when cover is removed.

 

[jamjakin]

well changed the oil and primary and peered in there with a flash light, springs and all look intact, little metal at the drain plug magnet, fluid looked horrible that came out and so did the oil, fruitloops said they changed it, ya ok noodle brain nothing worse then people lien when selling something lol!, im not prepared and experience enough to tare the motor all up but shifts good just got some play, so im going to ride the dam thing thanks for input, thought some others could have some things to say, probly have some more questions in future so all the help and advice is welcomed, thanks lunatic and alan

 

[WIGGLE2]

I am just a little confused about where your play is...If it has THAT much play (1/4"?) at the shaft where it exits the cover, MY thoughts are, it should be leaking like a sieve. I am not sure if you've ever ridden a Buell before or what you've ridden before....but, these things DO have more 'travel' than jap bikes in their operation. Maybe you could find another fellow Bueller in your area and compare notes?

…if you're saying the shaft turns 1/4" or so before it shifts, mine does the same thing and I'd say you're ok.

[up]

 

[jamjakin]

no I haven't ridden a Buell before never even seen one lo!l but they appeal to me so I bought one. Rode dirt bikes and shit when I was younger, been riding horses the last couple years at some farms around my area figured i get a little buelly to buzz around on back and forth on. Theres play in the shifter easy as that, its like it doesnt center after shifting like a spring is missin somewhere no its not leaking the seal or bushing is ok, ya know what about i show a video im sure that would help huh. Admit im not the most motorcycle savvy guy and this is my first street bike and i love buzzing around on it, its a nasty litttle bike lol!

 

[jamjakin]

sorry for posting this in xb12 troubleshooting, well after more research looks to be the return spring, makes since, because its to returning to middle position lol! duhh! what do you guys think?