2004 1200 GS gearchange shaft and linkages

[Neil A]

Gearchange getting stiff (not easily returning to mid position). On old 1150, it was easy - whipped the lever and linkages off, took everything apart, greased, back together, 15 mins max, all happy.

2004 1200GS starting to do the same. Methinks it'll be just as easy, but:
1 - I couldn't work out how to get the shaft out completely (far end was hitting the exhaust and I didn't want to push it too far in case it was a pain to get back in)
2 - the ball joint linkages didn't seem to have the circlips that pull out to let you separate the joints. But it was bloody hard to see under there. They are showing in the diagram in the CD workshop manual I got off someone on here, but having done the job on the 1150, I knew what to look for and I can't see or feel them and I can't get the whole assembly out to have a proper look
3 - luckily I already had the torx spanner from having done the gear change potentiometer a while back. Otherwise, that would have been....annoying

I was able to grease the shaft so when it was back in place through the frame, it was turning freely enough for things to be back to normal. So the issue seems to have been the shaft drying out where it passes through the frame, not the ball joints going dry as on the 1150, but is it possible to jiggle it around enough to get the shaft out without removing the exhaust and do the ball joints definitely have the clips in, if I could see well enough and had extra long fingers?

Actually, I do have extra long fingers, but they didn't help. Maybe you need to be double-jointed as well?

Cheers all!

Neil

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

Undo the torx clamp on the gearbox (the shaft is marked so you put it back on the correct spline) and the bolted joint on the back of the shaft from the change lever and pull the linkage out...........it still has the clips on the ball joints like your 1150 and they're virtually impossible to get back in in situ, so you can pull it out and lube it. Push the change lever shaft in as far as you can, lube it and put it back. I've just done mine while I changed the clutch and gearbox seals.

 

[Neil A]

Thanks

Excellent, Mr Arkwright - thanks!
I will have a look at it again tonight (it's outside, but work's not the place to get all oiled up - ooooer Missus), but to clarify.....you mean remove (while still joined together) the two arms with the ball joints on and the short connecting rod between them, by detaching the one from the gearbox shaft (I had got that far), but also the other from the other end of the gearchange shaft? In other words, the foot lever comes off the near end of the gearchange shaft (obviously), but the linkage arm also comes off the far end, so you can get both linkages out as a pair, without needing the shaft out?
Cheers
Neil

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

Yes Neil, that's exactly right! pm me if you need any more!