Sticky gear lever

[Iain Hogg]

Riding to work this morning, I had the disturbing feeling of the bike (1150) not wanting to change gear more than once up or once down

The problem was got around by lifting the lever back into position after every change (been dancing and skipping around ever since )

Had a look this eveing when I got home and found that the lever was "reluctant" to return after a shift and was a little stiff when operated by hand.

Sprayed lots of WD40 on the couplings, filled the garage with WD40 fumes from the hot exhaust and left it for the evening.

Is it likely to get better or do I need to through my credit card at someone to have it fixed?

Iain

 

[Steptoe]

Sprayed lots of WD40 on the couplings, filled the garage with WD40 fumes from the hot exhaust and left it for the evening.

Is it likely to get better
Iain

No - WD40 doesn't reach the parts that are sticking.

If you've a Y piece fitted it's a 10 minute job, you can get to the bolt that the gearlever pivots on, to the footrest mount, undo and remove it . Take out the bush in the gearlever, rub it down with wet and dry type material, re-grease it and replace.
If you've a cat fitted, you may have trouble getting to the bolt

 

[Tony T]

Same problem some months ago. It is caused by gunge and "growth" of the nylon bush at the pivot end of the lever. If you remove the casting that the lever is attached to, along with the link arm with the two little ball joints, you can remove the lever pivot bolt with the aid of an allen key and slide off the lever and nylon bush. If you clean up all parts then rebuild using some silicone grease that should fix it. If it is still tight, then use a bit of fine sandpaper on the inside of the nylon bush (I had to) and don't forget to grease the two ball joints. You should find this will make it feel like new and give quicker changes! (By the way the "little ball joints" have a circlip to hold them on which you need to rotate then lift off/out.)

 

[Iain Hogg]

Thanks guys, the WD40 seems to have loosened things up enough for me to ride until the weekend.

No Y-piece so will fiight with spanners on Saturday.

Iain

 

[Dick Dastardly]

As above Iain....I'm not what you'd call a fully-fledged bike mechanic, but gave it a shot in December......transformed gear changes, and it felt like a new 'box.

Good luck......

 

[Iain Hogg]

Good news is that the WD40 worked a treat - just need to remember to do the job properly now.

Iain