Gearshift Lever Sticking on Upshifts

Boomstick1491 · April 26th, 2012, 06:07 PM

Within the last week, my bike's gearshift lever has started "sticking" during some upshifts. It seemed to only happen when shifting from 2nd into 3rd, but as of this afternoon, it seems to happen in other gears as well (however, peculiar as it may be, this does not happen from 1st to 2nd). Also, I have never had a problem downshifting. Does anyone have any thoughts on what this could be? I read a post that seemed to indicate that changing the oil might help this, but I thought I would get your opinions before I do that.

Before you ask, I have not changed the oil since I picked up the bike a month (~600 miles) ago and I am not 100% sure when the P.O. changed it. It's probably time, but could this really be the reason I am having some trouble getting the gearshift lever to move during upshifts?

csmith12 · April 26th, 2012, 07:07 PM

How bout when not moving? Put it on a stand and use your hand to run through the gears. Compare how they feel that way.

Changing the oil can stop shifting stickiness, smooth it out and relieve stiffness in the shifter but other times it's just a placebo effect. Lube the shifter linkages as well as change the oil so you know what it's NOT. Adjust the linkage to your boot while your at it. It's cheap and super easy.

I am sure you will get a lazy shifting comment too. Cause it's easy to get lazy.

Let us know how it goes.

chikenstrips · April 26th, 2012, 08:57 PM

is it sticking on the way up or is it sticking up and not coming down easily? could be a shifter mechanism return spring issue

vkuchhal · April 26th, 2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

How bout when not moving? Put it on a stand and use your hand to run through the gears. Compare how they feel that way.

Changing the oil can stop shifting stickiness, smooth it out and relieve stiffness in the shifter but other times it's just a placebo effect. Lube the shifter linkages as well as change the oil so you know what it's NOT. Adjust the linkage to your boot while your at it. It's cheap and super easy.

I am sure you will get a lazy shifting comment too. Cause it's easy to get lazy.

Let us know how it goes.

What shift linkages are you talking about..?
and how to clean them.. using diesel or what..

I also have a similar kind of problem when up shifting but it is not always that this happens...

Boomstick1491 · April 27th, 2012, 03:19 AM

To clarify, I will pull in the clutch and raise my toe to change gears, but the lever seems stuck and so when I let out the clutch, I find I'm in the same old gear. I then try again and it works fine. Does that help explain the problem better?

csmith12 · April 27th, 2012, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vkuchhal

What shift linkages are you talking about..?
and how to clean them.. using diesel or what..

I also have a similar kind of problem when up shifting but it is not always that this happens...

Lube all moving parts shown in the picture below. I don't know the history of your bike but if its been down before a part can be bent or scratched causing it to catch/bind.

Oh, check your clutch cable too.

Boomstick1491 · April 27th, 2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Lube all moving parts shown in the picture below. I don't know the history of your bike but if its been down before a part can be bent or scratched causing it to catch/bind.

Oh, check your clutch cable too.

Thanks very much for the annotated picture. That's very helpful. Since we've already established that I am a noob and 2/3 a retard (see prior posts), with what do I lube these components? KY? Cristo? Spit? Thanks for the help.

Boomstick1491 · April 27th, 2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boomstick1491

Thanks very much for the annotated picture. That's very helpful. Since we've already established that I am a noob and 2/3 a retard (see prior posts), with what do I lube these components? KY? Cristo? Spit? Thanks for the help.

And yes the bike went down on that side (again, see prior post). I don't think anything was damaged there though. And besides this is a newish phenomenon, whereas the dump happened 1.5 months ago or so.

csmith12 · April 27th, 2012, 03:29 PM

I like to use molly grease (around $3) on stuff like this. Other riders may use other products.

csmith12 · April 27th, 2012, 03:38 PM

Oh! it can come in a tube too, like toothpaste.

Boomstick1491 · April 28th, 2012, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Oh! it can come in a tube too, like toothpaste.

Where can one buy this undoubtedly-delicious flavored toothpaste? My bike's oral hygiene is lacking.

csmith12 · April 28th, 2012, 08:05 AM

I got mine at home depot. Try there or lowes, maybe your local hardware store too.

April 26th, 2012, 06:07 PM	#1
Boomstick1491 ninjette.org member Name: Carlos Spicy Wiener Location: Your Mom's House Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Too many Posts: 119	Gearshift Lever Sticking on Upshifts Within the last week, my bike's gearshift lever has started "sticking" during some upshifts. It seemed to only happen when shifting from 2nd into 3rd, but as of this afternoon, it seems to happen in other gears as well (however, peculiar as it may be, this does not happen from 1st to 2nd). Also, I have never had a problem downshifting. Does anyone have any thoughts on what this could be? I read a post that seemed to indicate that changing the oil might help this, but I thought I would get your opinions before I do that. Before you ask, I have not changed the oil since I picked up the bike a month (~600 miles) ago and I am not 100% sure when the P.O. changed it. It's probably time, but could this really be the reason I am having some trouble getting the gearshift lever to move during upshifts?

April 26th, 2012, 07:07 PM	#2
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	How bout when not moving? Put it on a stand and use your hand to run through the gears. Compare how they feel that way. Changing the oil can stop shifting stickiness, smooth it out and relieve stiffness in the shifter but other times it's just a placebo effect. Lube the shifter linkages as well as change the oil so you know what it's NOT. Adjust the linkage to your boot while your at it. It's cheap and super easy. I am sure you will get a lazy shifting comment too. Cause it's easy to get lazy. Let us know how it goes. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

April 27th, 2012, 03:29 PM	#9
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	I like to use molly grease (around $3) on stuff like this. Other riders may use other products. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

April 27th, 2012, 03:38 PM	#10
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Oh! it can come in a tube too, like toothpaste. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

April 28th, 2012, 08:05 AM	#12
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	I got mine at home depot. Try there or lowes, maybe your local hardware store too. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

April 26th, 2012, 08:57 PM	#3
chikenstrips ninjette.org member Name: peter Location: guelph Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250r Posts: 24	is it sticking on the way up or is it sticking up and not coming down easily? could be a shifter mechanism return spring issue

April 27th, 2012, 03:19 AM	#5
Boomstick1491 ninjette.org member Name: Carlos Spicy Wiener Location: Your Mom's House Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Too many Posts: 119	To clarify, I will pull in the clutch and raise my toe to change gears, but the lever seems stuck and so when I let out the clutch, I find I'm in the same old gear. I then try again and it works fine. Does that help explain the problem better?

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