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I loosen and remove the bolt that holds the inboard shift arm. That makes it easy to pull the shaft out of the primary case to clean and grease both the shaft and the tube it goes into. Brake grease seems to last longer than any other type I have tried. That hollow shaft is a neat idea but the price is beyond my "impulse" threshold. I can keep removing and servicing the shaft once in a while to avoid that expense. I have tried marine grease and anti-seize copper paste, neither seems to last as long as the brake grease.
I do the same as btsom mentions....
However, there are two bushings in the primary case where that shaft goes. Bushing #42642-00A. (#15 in the parts pic)
They can get worn which will lead to a very wobbly shaft. Yes, I said, "Wobbly shaft"...
They can easily be replaced with a Jim's tool #5518. I did it once without the Jim's tool, but then finally bought the tool when my newer bagger needed them too. It really is a lot faster & easier with the tool. With new bushings, and a clean and greased shaft, the shift linkage will feel like new..
This is the only pic I have right now at work, but if you pull the shift shaft out and drill a hole between the bushings, most zerks are hardened enough to cut their own threads in the soft aluminum. I added a wave spring between the shift peg arm and the outboard side of the rubber spacer so that it pushes gently against the primary case sleeve and keeps some dirt / water out. I also added o-rings on both ends of the shaft for the same reason.
Part of the routine before the riding season, I remove the shifter shaft, inspect, clean and grease the bushing & shaft with wheel bearing grease. I also have Jims' Shift Pedal Shaft Bushing Tool for replacing these bushing.
This is the only pic I have right now at work, but if you pull the shift shaft out and drill a hole between the bushings, most zerks are hardened enough to cut their own threads in the soft aluminum. I added a wave spring between the shift peg arm and the outboard side of the rubber spacer so that it pushes gently against the primary case sleeve and keeps some dirt / water out. I also added o-rings on both ends of the shaft for the same reason.
The wave washer or a Bellville type washer is a good idea because it helps take up the left and right clearance that allows the shift linkage to rattle like crazy! Uncool in my book, the frickin rattling that is.
This is the only pic I have right now at work, but if you pull the shift shaft out and drill a hole between the bushings, most zerks are hardened enough to cut their own threads in the soft aluminum. I added a wave spring between the shift peg arm and the outboard side of the rubber spacer so that it pushes gently against the primary case sleeve and keeps some dirt / water out. I also added o-rings on both ends of the shaft for the same reason.
And you have about as much into your mod as I do. Like maybe $2.50? And if the shaft ever wears out, it's only $25 for a new stock OEM one, not $100.
I just traded in my 2020 RGS after 4 1/2 years and 74,000 miles and never removed any of the parts or serviced it in any way and it performed exactly the same as when new..it's quick and easy to remove, clean and grease so not saying it's a bad idea, just that complete neglect hasn't impacted mine in the slightest and I've always been pretty OCD overall about performing all scheduled maintenance and service items
I find it funny that so many are opposed to spending for the shift shaft that you would never have to replace, but are willing to spend even more for the tools to change the bushings.
The shift rod with heim joints cost more. But I don’t hear anyone complaining.
Or how many guys drop 500 bucks on a farkled air cleaner set up? I guess it is more noticeable than a shifting shaft with a grease nipple.
I find it funny that so many are opposed to spending for the shift shaft that you would never have to replace, but are willing to spend even more for the tools to change the bushings.
The shift rod with heim joints cost more. But I dont hear anyone complaining.
Or how many guys drop 500 bucks on a farkled air cleaner set up? I guess it is more noticeable than a shifting shaft with a grease nipple.
I find it funny how many people will drop a hundo on a fancy shifter shaft when a 5 cent zerk does the same job (and, in my opinion, looks better).
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