Broken Shift Linkage????

[SeaMarshal]

Need some opinions here: the beast fell over during a snow storm and the shifter is bent somewhat. I have neutral and first gear, but nothing beyond that. Could I have broken the linkage?

Thanks folks.

[jzeiler]

If you can do first and neutral it is not broken but may be bent. Remove the lower tupperware and the foot plate to take a look. Take a look in the Files, Technical section for "Shift Linkage Tidbits" for more info.

[joegottberg]

Look at it REAL careful.

I've been lucky (no linkage breaks), but others not so.

When you straighten the linkage get yourself some magnification and make sure you didn't crack it.

Good Luck

[AlaskaFish]

Tim, be real careful if you try to re-bend the shift lever. They can break easily. If you have a problem with a broken lever and need a loaner PM me. I have one you can use if needed until you can purchase a new one. Of course if your not riding as much this time of year I guess waiting on parts is not too much of a problem, eh?

From a fellow Coastie just to your south,

Semper Paratus!

John

[SeaMarshal]

Hey Coastie - thanks so much for your offer. I'm going to tear into it tomorrow; hopefully I won't see too much of a problem. South Sound BMW and Ride West are w/in an hour of me and if needed I will go there for a replacement part.

[AlaskaFish]

Hey Coastie - thanks so much for your offer. I'm going to tear into it tomorrow; hopefully I won't see too much of a problem. South Sound BMW and Ride West are w/in an hour of me and if needed I will go there for a replacement part.
No sweat Tim, that's exactly what this community is all about! Don't hesitate to contact any of us NW members if you find yourself in a fix with the LT since we have quite a bit of experience in taking them apart and successfully getting them back together again! In fact you have an excellent LT tech much closer to your area than us Oregon riders: Brian. If you can catch him between his work and his riding that is!

John

[sanjaun2]

No sweat Tim, that's exactly what this community is all about! Don't hesitate to contact any of us NW members if you find yourself in a fix with the LT since we have quite a bit of experience in taking them apart and successfully getting them back together again! In fact you have an excellent LT tech much closer to your area than us Oregon riders: Brian. If you can catch him between his work and his riding that is!

John
Tim is a fine mech. Seen him in action at one of our tech sessions. I would gladly assist you if needed when I get back. I am heading out to NM at 6am and should be back by tuesday. I had a spare linkage I kept with the bike. Unfortenately I gave it to the new owner. It does sound like it may have bent a little.All the above advice is good. I would buy an aftermarket replacement and keep your old one as a spare. I recently saw them advertised either here in the classified or ebay. The manufacturer is one of us here at this site. We have not had a tech session in awhile. I think we are about due.

[Jabrown]

Just drive it in first :rotf: redline the piss out of it. I hear the motors run best at those rpm's :histerica

[bigbear]

Just drive it in first :rotf: redline the piss out of it. I hear the motors run best at those rpm's :histerica

He would never reach redline stuck in the Seattle traffic :histerica

[Amsoil1]

I carry a spare linkage with me. I've seen two on other bikes break while on the road. I travel into Mexico at least once a year and feel better carrying it with me. Doesn't cost much, or take up much room, and has been great insurance so far!

[zippy_gg]

Try Phil Johnson directly via e-mail at philjohn@invisimax.com. I bought his shift linkage kits for my 99, 03, and 05. Be sure to specify the year of your bike as the 05 and newer are different.

[SeaMarshal]

I pulled the cover and the linkage did not appear to be broken nor bent; I lubed them well with white (marine grade) grease. The shifter did not appear be be too out of shape. I put it all back together and still nothing beyond 1st gear.

I've an appointment with the tow truck on Saturday to take it down to Sound Sound BMW. I suspect they will tell me to replace the shifter ($183!!!); who knows what else?

I should have left it in the garage when I heard that snow was possible... Too bad I'm not a Harley guy, they mostly see the sun and blue sky.

[prestonbill]

Tim I can come over and take a look at it in the morning. Maybe we can figure it out. Give me a call after 8.

[Stoker100]

Tim,
While you had it apart, you should be able to go in and shift the shaft bypassing all of the linkage stuff. If it still won't shift into 2nd, then it's bad.
Hard to figure how that would happen?
larry

[BDC]

Tim

It isnt' clear whether you have tried to engage second gear with the engine running. If your linkage is OK but it won't select with the engine running you may have a problem.

If however you have not started the engine since the bike fell over try this......

put the bike on the main stand and turn the rear wheel by hand whilst firmly engaging second and higher gears. If doing it like this don't bother using the clutch. If everything is OK the gear will snick into place.

Without the engine running in order to select gears you need to get the shafts turning in the transmission. Turning the rear wheel does this for you and allows you to select.

Even with the engine running sometimes it can be difficult to select first gear. The solution is to either roll forwards slightly and retry or to release the clutch lever slightly as you engage.

Chris

[SeaMarshal]

Good ole 'Preston Bill' came over and we figured it out.....

The shifter is bent and the chrome plate is cracked. Hopefully the Boneyard or Tony (Deputy 5211) will have something.

I'm thankful the tranny wasn't FUBAR.

Thanks for all of the great advice guys.

[AlaskaFish]

Depending on how bad the plate itself is, the shift lever can be replaced separately. Just be real careful if you decide to try and straighten out a bent one! I know I'm repeating myself here, but they do break easy. I still have that spare down here in case you can't find another one Tim.

John
Good ole 'Preston Bill' came over and we figured it out.....

The shifter is bent and the chrome plate is cracked. Hopefully the Boneyard or Tony (Deputy 5211) will have something.

I'm thankful the tranny wasn't FUBAR.

Thanks for all of the great advice guys.

[SeaMarshal]

Hi John - I appreciate the offer!

Originally I was going to order the parts from Chicago BMW at 20% off; however, I've decided to support my local dealer (South Sound BMW) and get the parts from them. They've been really good to me whenever I have a problem. They will still have to order the shift lever and the foot peg cover, but that's OK as Seattle is facing another week of possible snow on/off.



Depending on how bad the plate itself is, the shift lever can be replaced separately. Just be real careful if you decide to try and straighten out a bent one! I know I'm repeating myself here, but they do break easy. I still have that spare down here in case you can't find another one Tim.

John