shifter wont tighten.

mpatrick19
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shifter wont tighten.

22 Jan 2008 17:23

#190522

yall got any tricks?

1982 kz750 spectre

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OKC_Kent
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

22 Jan 2008 17:47

#190528

Are you saying you can't tighten the bolt, or that the shifter moves around no matter how tight the bolt is?

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2008/01/22 20:49

Cashion, OK
78 KZ650 B2 85,000+ miles

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Bluemeanie
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

22 Jan 2008 19:08

#190545

Funny you should mention that. Cycle World had a tech tip about just that! I can't find that mag now but they say to file off the first spline on each side of the gap on the inside of the shifter. They say instead of tightening, the first splines actually bind against the splines on the shifter shaft preventing compression. Removing the couple splines allows it to compress more.

Post edited by: Bluemeanie, at: 2008/01/22 22:08

1980 KZ650F1, Bought new out the door for $2,162.98!

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mpatrick19
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

22 Jan 2008 19:52

#190564

it just spins no matter how tight i get it. i was thinking of filing down the flat spots where it comes together to get to more compression out of it. Also it i cant get this to work how hard is it to change the shifter shaft. the bike is an 82 kz750 n1, shaft drive if that makes a difference.

thanks, mike

1982 kz750 spectre

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Bluemeanie
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

22 Jan 2008 20:28

#190580

Are the splines worn off the shifter shaft or the foot shifter? (please, please let it be the foot shifter!)

1980 KZ650F1, Bought new out the door for $2,162.98!

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mpatrick19
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

23 Jan 2008 05:52

#190621

its the splines on the shaft.

1982 kz750 spectre

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Bluemeanie
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

23 Jan 2008 06:06

#190624

It should be changed but I know guys that have installed shifter, tightened down and then have someone mig weld on exposed end. Works great until you have to remove side cover! I guess that would be the time to fix it. I've never changed a shift shaft, someone else will have to chime in on that one. Sorry dude.

1980 KZ650F1, Bought new out the door for $2,162.98!

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BSKZ650
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

23 Jan 2008 06:24

#190627

I saw this years ago, and it worked on a drag bike.
locate the position you want the shifter to be in, scribe a line on the shaft and shifter, use a die grinder to make a slot for a key in the shaft and on the shifter, you can get key stock at any hardware store, I am guessing a 1/8 key would work, install the key and shifter and lock into place.

77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
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RonKZ650
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

23 Jan 2008 06:32

#190630

Also kind of a similar idea is to drill through the lever, then partially through the shaft itself, then tap for a small bolt. Doesn't take much to hold it. I did this once on an old dirt bike and it did the trick just fine. Otherwise the shift shaft is used on many models and should be still available and not all that hard to replace.

321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

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kzwolfsr
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

23 Jan 2008 06:35

#190632

Very good idea BSKZ, but I was thinking Ron's idea before he posted. O well!

1979 KZ SR650, stock candy persimmon red and crossover pipes
1981 KZ 1000LTD with non stock and more comfortable handle bars and 4 into one V&H
Original man of the Caribbean

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BSKZ650
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

23 Jan 2008 07:09

#190640

Rons idea sounds like a lot less work, should hold it quite well

77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob

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The Milkman
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Re: shifter wont tighten.

23 Jan 2008 07:13

#190641

It won't work if either the shaft or lever are worn smooth but if they aren't some thin brass shim stock to fill the gap would work just fine and you will have no problem removing the lever when you have to in the future.

And it doesn't have to be brass, a strip cut out of a beer can would work just as well. And it's a good reason to have that beer:laugh: :laugh:

Post edited by: The Milkman, at: 2008/01/23 10:19

78 650-C2, Stock engine, Jardine 4-2 Exh., 17-38 sprockets, dyna ignition and coils, coil wiring mod, carb mod.

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