Can someone point me in the right direction?  This has happened a couple of times; although, today really got my attention.  The s40 would not shift from 2nd to 3rd.  The shifter would go all the up but, nothing would engage.  I read the thread about shifting problems, but my gut feeling may be something a bit more.  I had to go down to first and then go back up.  Sometimes it goes smooth with problems at all?  With the noise in the top end I'm starting to think it is a loosing cause to keep on fixing it.  Thanks for the help.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 12/15/13 at 17:03:06:


Ok, here we go
Re: Engine Noise
Reply #35 - 12/12/13 at 15:09:49 - Page 2 of rubber side down

No, I haven't tried a clutchless shift.

Normal to low speeds when trying to shift.

Their should be no slack in the clutch and fully engaged.

I came across an add for a brand new 2012 leftover s40 for $3k?  

Thanks Sero.  I think I understand the external point.  But I don't know where to go for the other point.  

Brand new 2012 S40 for $2,999, mine is going on 8 years old.  I've been working on it more than riding it for the past 6 months.  I don't have much free time and certainly don't have the expertise that many of you have.

Ok, picked up some grease. Is the linkage the little bar that is a bit thinker than a coat hanger?  It attaches to shifter and is perpendicular to rod that goes into the transmission.  Is that correct?  Thanks for your assistance.

The shift lever is attached to the footpeg bracket.  It has a pivot point that has to be free to rotate and move - sometimes these can get stiff and cause shifting problems.  You should clean and lube this shifter pivot point.

The linkage is the small rod that connects the shift lever to the transmission shaft.  This linkage has a ball joint on both ends, and if either one of these balls are stiff and doesn't move freely it can cause shiffing problems.  Make sure these ball joints are clean and well lubed and rotate easily.  The rod should be straight without any bends.

The transmission shaft has a small arm that clamps on to the transmission shaft.  This arm has splines that slide over the transmission shaft, and the bolt should be snug (not gorilla tight), and there should be no visible play when you wiggle the shift lever up and down.

There really shouldn't be much play.  When you slightly wiggle the rubber to part of the shifter up and down the movement should be transferred back to the shift shaft on the side of the engine with very little wasted movement.  If something is allowing the toe portion to move a lot without moving the shift shaft....then something is too loose.  Check the mounter mount/foot peg bolts....try to find where the wasted motion is going.

Man, Ive done body work , changed the frames on 2 F150's, Ive changed countless water pumps & alternators & done head gaskets, been in a few rebuilds, done clutches & adjusted same, & when I started in on a bike, it was like Greek to me.,