Sloppy Shift Lever, '97 ZX-11

[JMHJ]

It seems that the washer was holding it square. I'd try wrapping some shim stock and see if tightening up the shaft in the hole solves the problem. It seems the other washer was holding a worn shifter square to the shaft. IMHO

My efforts at shimming or filling the gap around the stud aren't working out too well. Haven't tried metal yet. Tried one washer that was just a bit thicker too, but the clip wouldn't go on, lol. Going to get the stud specs to Nessism and see what he thinks.

It's rideable; tested it tonight in miserable heat, but it shouldn't be like that.

[Suzukian]

I'm a little at a loss. If it's worn on the shaft, a washer wouldn't make a difference, just like having the right one would only hold the ends tight, and prevent you from feeling any slop that's there. When I posted "Shim", I mean around the shaft, to tighten up the hole. Then any washer would do. I guess I don't understand by what you mean by "sloppy".

[JMHJ]

No, you got it. If the washers took up all the space horizontally, there would only be undesired "play" up and down (essentially). As it is, if you looked at the end of the shifter (with the rubber) from the front of the bike, you could see it move around in something of an egg shape (it has play every which way).

This doesn't look like wear to me. It's weird.

[Nessism]

There is a NOS stud on eBay. Seller in Poland, but so what? International shipping will have it to you in a couple of weeks. I didn't look, but think it likely that you can buy a new shift lever also. The only other way you are going to fix this right, is by a machinist's solution.

[Grimly]

No, you got it. If the washers took up all the space horizontally, there would only be undesired "play" up and down (essentially). As it is, if you looked at the end of the shifter (with the rubber) from the front of the bike, you could see it move around in something of an egg shape (it has play every which way).

This doesn't look like wear to me. It's weird.

Depends on mileage. Normal wear and tear plus vibration does a lot of damage.

[Suzukian]

Cast aluminum shifter, steel shaft, never lubed, that's what happens.

[unfocused]

Yeah, I like mine pretty well too. Wasn't looking for one specifically, it's just what came up in my price range and in the style I was looking for. Kinda wanted something my boys couldn't trifle with the old man on too. This fits it. Not that I'm going to ride like that with them, but just the fact that I could is enough.

I buried my speedo... sold it not long after as I knew I was gonna die LOL.

As for the shifter, the one I have at home hasn't been fixed. I just have a spacer washer right now behind the e-clip. The ZX I sold had the repaired shifter. I know I used a bushing but I've had several bouts of anesthesia and other medical issues since I've fix the other ZX. My apologies.