2012 RT-S (SM5) Shifting problem, shifter low at times

[ZDarkman]

Problem: Shifter pedal is low at times, i have floorboards and occasionally I cannot get my foot between the floorboard and the shifter to upshift or downshift. Also seems harder at times to upshift at times, have to make more of an effort.

For example, I stop at light and I currently coasted to a stop in third with clutch pulled in. I attempt to downshift into second and then first. It goes into second, but the pedal is now all the way down, cannot downshift into first and cannot upshift even if I wanted to because I cannot get my foot between the floorboard and shifter. So if I start off in second, as soon as it starts rolling and I'm releasing the clutch, the pedal will move back up into the proper position. Is there a spring somewhere that assists to bring the shifter back into its normal position.

Lately I have been getting around this problem by making sure I downshift thru all the gears before coming to a stop.

I know other people have had this problem in the past but I have a hard time finding with the forum search.

1) Oil is at its proper level.
2) I have approximate 1400 miles since last oil change, have approximate 6200 miles on the spyder.
3) Linkage adjustment arm seems to be fine.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Bob Denman]

Crawl up under the left side of the bike... right underneath the panel that you remove for checking your oil level...
You'll see where the parts that you need are hooked together... :thumbup:
If you loosen up the shift-arm from the shaft that it's hooked to; you should be able to move it JUST ONE NOTCH; to raise your shifter up a bit.
Good luck!

 

[DrewNJ]

Your work around fix (shifting as you slow) is the correct way to shift. The engine/road speed is what helps align the straight cut gears for shifting. Usually not an issue in 2nd. There really isn't any usefulness in coming to a stop and being in 3rd.
The biggest mistake I see people do is try to downshift multiple gears at a stop stomping on the shift lever.

If you can't get your foot under the shift peg then do what Bob mentioned and adjust the lever. There is even a little bit of adjustment that can be made at the shift peg itself.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Chupaca]

Have to agree..!!

Check the linkage. Make sure the shifter arm is in the right position on the shaft and the pinch bolt is tight. It may be the arm is moving along the shaft and binding on the floorboard parts. engine vibrations may move it so it pops back. The internal spring seems to be working if it pops back if the spring fails the shifter will not return at all...:thumbup:

 

[ZDarkman]

Thanks but shifter arm is in correct position.

Everything is in the right position and shifting linkage is tight.

Now when I start it up tomorrow morning to back it out of garage, I will start it up in neutral, pull in the clutch, press down on shifter to get into first, it will go into first but pedal will stay down, so I can't put it into reverse because the shifter is still all the way down.

Another example, I come up to a light that just changed, was in third, down shifted to second before coming to a stop, shifter will still be in down position with not enough room to slide my foot between floorboard and shifter, but since I am still moving, when I release the clutch while moving, the shifter will slowly come back up which will allow me to pull in the clutch and down shift it to first. But if I down shift to first while not moving, the shifter will not come back up because I did not get a chance to release the clutch while moving which will bring the shifter pedal back up so I can slide my foot between the floorboard and pedal to either put it in neutral or go up to second.

Basically, anytime I press down on the shifter, the shifter arm will always come back up, for now, when I am releasing the clutch while moving.

There has to be some type of internal spring somewhere inside the trans to assist the shifter into returning to its regular position to allow you to downshift or upshift.

I will jack up the bike again, and check the linkage and make sure the arm is tight, will do this on Thursday. Thanks again for your help

 

[ZDarkman]

Shifter arm is in the right position and pinch bolt is tight.

Will wait to spring and see if changing the oil solves the problem. Spring seems to be getting weaker as time goes by and getting harder to upshift at times, takes more of an effort.

Also checked to see if linkage is binding or rubbing anywhere, do not see any problem there as well.

 

[DrewNJ]

Oh! Yea, that's not normal at all and I doubt oil is going to fix it. Something is binding up or tweaked somewhere. Bent/worn fork/dog??
Sometimes that can happen if you have a habit of stomping on the shifter during downshifts. My kid had a habit of that, tough to break too.

 

[DrewNJ]

Check out this thread. Same trans. Does this sound like your issue?? http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?271945-Gear-shift-spring-pin-worked-loose