Author Topic: Shifter loose on shaft (Read 2888 times)

Scott S · « **on:** September 18, 2010, 01:24:44 PM »

The shifter on my CB500 is loose on the shaft even though it's pinched tight with the bolt. I'm told I can cut/grind the slit to get a tighter fit.

Who's done this and what did you use to cut it? How hard is that metal? I'd like to try this soon before I strip the threads on the shaft.

bwaller · « **Reply #1 on:** September 18, 2010, 02:02:05 PM »

If you're accurate you can take a slice off the shift lever with a hacksaw, or use a cut-off wheel on an andle grinder.

Don't remove too much and not from the threaded side of the hole.

Scott S · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2010, 05:50:23 PM »

I have a thin cut off blade on an angle grinder, but I don't see how I can be accurate enough with it to avoid the threaded side!

A hacksaw blade is sharp enough? I think I can swing that.

Stev-o · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2010, 06:05:18 PM »

Maybe a sawzall?

scottly · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2010, 06:48:07 PM »

Quote from: Scott S on September 18, 2010, 01:24:44 PM

The shifter on my CB500 is loose on the shaft even though it's pinched tight with the bolt. I'm told I can cut/grind the slit to get a tighter fit.

Who's done this and what did you use to cut it? How hard is that metal? I'd like to try this soon before I strip the threads on the shaft.

Yeah, I did it on my 90, with a hacksaw, when I was about 15. Once the splines are worn, no amount of opening up the slit will help. Start looking for a lever with less worn splines; this may help stop further damage to the shaft.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2010, 06:49:43 PM »

I have a fiber metal cutting blade for my circular saw. I think it would be perfect for that kind of job, I could set the depth of the cut fairly precisely with it.

MCRider · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2010, 06:51:47 PM »

Maybe thru drill it (thru the pedal and the shaft) and "pin" it with a small bolt and nut? In any event, sounds like its sliding down a slippery slope.

1974CB750rider · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2010, 06:53:28 PM »

Don't know if this would work or not but if you could find a bushing that might fit in the shifter then slide it over the shaft. Don't know if this can be done or not but it seems like it might could work.

wingman1946 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2010, 07:06:44 PM »

How about you buy a better shifter arm on ebay.

dave500 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2010, 01:07:34 AM »

clamp it in a vice and run a hacksaw through it,use a new blade,clean the shaft real well and the inside if the shifter splines,too easy man!

Scott S · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2010, 04:21:02 AM »

I'll try the hacksaw blade and then keep my eyes peeled for a better shift lever.

So far, it's not slipping on the shaft, just wobbly.

Gaither · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2010, 07:27:56 PM »

Wingman

IMHO +1

Why risk he shaft splines for the cost of a shift lever?

jimmiejoe · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2010, 09:18:18 PM »

Heres just a thought try sharping both male and female parts of the spline's which is worse or both.
Dosent' work then try a piece of thin aluminume almost cresent shape slide that in and tighten slowy
checking to see how it feels shifting up and down... beat's replaceing either one for the time being
but first use a sharp file and carefully go through and sharpin'' the splin's do let me know Jimmiejoe

Scott S · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2010, 04:38:37 AM »

I ran a hacksaw blade through the slit and that did the trick. It's nice and tight on the shifter shaft now. Took me about 2 minutes and didn't cost a dime.

Gaither · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2010, 09:45:21 PM »

Scott

Good show! 'Glad it worked. Always better to keep the money in the pocket if possible.

scottly · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2010, 10:07:59 PM »

Keep an eye on it to see if it starts loosening up again; that's how they get buggered up in the first place. They get loose, which causes wear on the splines. As long as they are kept tight, there is no problem. The same goes for the kick-starter pinch-bolt.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2010, 10:41:17 PM »

Over-tightening likely the root cause. The splines should keep things engaged properly, not the tightness of the clamp.

mystic_1

scottly · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2010, 10:54:04 PM »

Quote from: mystic_1 on September 20, 2010, 10:41:17 PM

Over-tightening likely the root cause. The splines should keep things engaged properly, not the tightness of the clamp.

mystic_1

I learned my lesson about worn splines and pinch-bolts before you were born.

If you over-tighten the wimpy bolt it breaks before any damage is done to the splines.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 21, 2010, 04:10:05 AM »

Quote from: scottly on September 20, 2010, 10:54:04 PM

Quote from: mystic_1 on September 20, 2010, 10:41:17 PM
Over-tightening likely the root cause. The splines should keep things engaged properly, not the tightness of the clamp.

mystic_1
I learned my lesson about worn splines and pinch-bolts before you were born. If you over-tighten the wimpy bolt it breaks before any damage is done to the splines.

The splines don't get damaged, the pinch clamp does.

cheers
mystic_1

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Author Topic: Shifter loose on shaft (Read 2888 times)