Gear shifter suddenly has a lot of free play

[jurgenkoppen]

So I have been fixing the olde slipping starter issue by replacing the clip, putting it back together, then redoing it because it still slipped, to much, tightening the clip even more, doing new clutch plates while in there....and that is all working now on the second attempt. What a mess with all the oil in and out!!!. Anyways, the newest semi issue is that the gear shifter now has a lot of free play., although I did not touch that assembly when I was in there. It is operational, I am just surprised that to engage the 1st gear I am required to nearly make my foot go down a 140 degree, and then shifting up again quite a large distance for it to engage into 2, 3 etc. I am so hoping NOT to have to drain the oil again to get behind the clutch basket, but alas....it sure looks like it. Did anyone else experience this, and if so is there a fix...?

 

[GLJ]

Did you check to see if the shift lever is tight on the shift shaft?
Splines have been known to strip on the lever or shaft.

 

[jurgenkoppen]

Did you check to see if the shift lever is tight on the shift shaft?
Splines have been known to strip on the lever or shaft.

Well, embarrassing, but fortunately that was the case, I had not tightened it on the shaft! A senior moment, or I have not been drinking enough....

 

[Mikey]

An easy catch is still a catch

 

[DogBunny]

Even the slightest amount of spline slop is a bad thing. I believe that on every single shift pedal I have ever come across it was necessary to increase the gap of the pinch slot in order to get an absolutely tight fit. Running a hacksaw with a coarse tooth blade down the slot only takes a moment and often does the trick.

 

[5twins]

Yes, I agree. I run a fiber disc cut-off wheel in a Dremel through all mine.