Fine Tuning Shift Lever Height (RT)

[m_stock10506]

I always thought that shift lever adjustment was simply a higher or lower choice based on the position of the end of the lever on the peg plate. I recently replaced my high mileage transmission and found the shift lever was "just a little" too low. My boot top was just catching the lever every time I went under for an upshift.

Looking over the shift linage mechanism, I realized that the small linkage piece between the lever and transmission stub was also adjustable. Shortening the linkage would raise the shift lever (and the opposing effect when making it longer). I tried this - twice. First, I unclipped the linkage and turned the cup in one 360 revolution. Tightened the lock nut and put all together. Not quite enough, so did it a 2nd time, one more full revolution. Now it feels JUST RIGHT. My boot fits under the shift lever without rubbubg until I lift up.

Each single 360 degree turn of the cup (clockwise) shortens the linkage and RAISES the end of the shift lever by approximately 2mm. So, my total change in the shift lever height was 4mm.

One CAUTION: If you are doing this to lower the shift lever, you would have to rotate the cup counter-clockwise to make the linkage longer. Be sure that you have enough threads on the cup piece so that it will not pull out of the rod. This would leave you unable to shift at all.

 

[AntonLargiader]

When you do this, be sure that the lever does not strike one end of the slot during shifts! That will lead to incomplete shifts and eventually gearbox damage. With the bike on the centerstand, rotate the rear wheel with one hand while you go through the gears with the other hand to make sure there is no contact.

 

[m_stock10506]

When you do this, be sure that the lever does not strike one end of the slot during shifts! That will lead to incomplete shifts and eventually gearbox damage.

Anton makes a great point. When I initially installed the replacement gearbox I installed the linkage stub on the box according to a BMW spec I was provided. The shifter was hitting the bottom of the slot and down shifts were difficult. Okay, I’ll just move the shift adjustment to the lower slot and raise the shift lever. No, take a careful look at the adjustment slot. If you move it to the lower position, it also moves the shift lever slightly forward. I thought I would have to push or tow the bike back from the short test. The shifter was hitting the forward edge of the slot and was even harder to move. I had to remove the stub and raise the position on the shift spline to get the linkage up into the middle of the slot.