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Shift support installed

Kcboom10

Active member
Joined
Mar 6, 2021
Messages
118
Location
Yolo County, California
Good question. Somebody commented earlier about having money burning a hole in your pocket. Maybe I did. If I had a second 125 I wouldn’t buy the support for it.
 

Dogsbody

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2021
Messages
47
The G Craft support appears to mount further out, ie the spacer bushes look to be twice the length of the HR and Kitaco. This would fit on the shaft before the small step that some have commented on. Looks to be 40mm compared to 20 mm. Anyone verify this?
 

dmonkey

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Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,136
Location
🇺🇸
Finally got mine installed today, the G-CRAFT Shift guide Type 2 #32625 from Webike. Any difference in shift feel seems small enough it could just be a placebo effect, but I'm satisfied with knowing that hard shifting in moto boots is less likely to flex the shaft and cause damage in the longterm. I watched DaBinChe's install video on YouTube first which made the actual work go quicker, knowing all the steps and sizes of tool to use. The only thing I did differently was I added a light coating of grease to the inside of the inner race of the bearing where it supports the shift shaft.


20210927_181700.jpg20210927_183808.jpg
 

m in sc

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Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
i invite anyone with out a shift support on to watch the flex of the shaft with somebody else on the bike shifting (on center-stand for example). it moves way more then you think it might w/out the support there.
 
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AZ7000'

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Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
957
Anyone hear of one snapping? My experience shows strengthening one part just exposes the next weakest link...
 

Gene56

Active member
Joined
Jul 27, 2021
Messages
138
Thanks for the info, this looks like a good addition and easy to install!
 

zolo

New member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
7
I'm not sold. If you case the bike on a rock just right, now those extended bolts holding the brace are going to flex and break the thread points on the case itself. I'd rather have to replace the shaft than the case, especially with people reporting little if any noticeable improvement.

Zolo
 

m in sc

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Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
they would actually break at the engine cover, as thats the pont where they would bend, not the case. as many bikes as I've seen wrecked, a bent shift shaft would do a lot more damage. but the likelihood of any of this happening is so minimal I can't believe its even being discussed. I assume this scenario happens after the footpeg mount gets ripped off first? lol.
 
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r80rt

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2020
Messages
568
I've ridden honda CT 90's 110's and now the 125 for many many years, never heard of a bent shaft. if it was a big concern Honda would have done something about it years ago.
 

zolo

New member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
7
There have been multiple posts of people bending the footpeg mount in a down and asking the part number to replace it. Just saying.

so yes, this WOULD happen after compromising the footpeg mount.

Now as to who is riding these bikes that aggressively, I can’t say. Haha. But I know it’s happened multiple times with novice riders on the CT125.
 

m in sc

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Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
ive never seen one on a ct either. I've seen it on other bikes, and i can tell you, getting a bent shift shaft out thru a set of cases can do a LOT of damage. But, your'e never, ever going to encounter the scenario you're describing. . here's why I say this: for the past 7 years, people have been stunting and throwing groms down highways, off-roading them, and all sorts of other stupid/fun things that are way, way more abusive than any trail will see and typically at a higher speed. Ive never ever seen a scenario where the shift support caused damage to a case, ever. and there's no support or bars under the motor on a grom like there is on the ct125, and its the exact same case layout. A bent peg mount is one thing. shearing it off and then shearing off the lower silver support bar before anything hits the bracket is another. That's what it would take, or completely collapsing it, and by that point.. you have bigger issues at hand. I mean, anythings possible i suppose. Just don't buy one, I'm not selling them.
 

zolo

New member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
7
Cool. The shaft is literally indestructible, then. Sounds like nobody needs this support.
 

m in sc

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Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
it flexes, that's the point. especially with the heel-toe shifter. Basic mechanical principle of leverage. Like said, don't buy it. I'm pretty sure no one will care.
 

rkutzner

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Messages
45
After a year I finally got off my rear and installed the support. While I haven't tested it out yet I'd had some false neutrals playing around the farm and campground trails. Like others I had issues with the inside diameter of the bearing hat (that's what I'm gonna call it!). Being a master backyard mechanic I used emory paper wrapped around a small dremel sanding cylinder, fitting it loosely and letting the centrifigal force of the paper lightly sand the inside diameter. Don't have so much paper you have to jam it in. I did about 30 seconds at a time, total time I'd estimate at 4-5 minutes of sanding. Just take your time and when it finally slides on it will be perfectly snug by hand and centered (the inside lip decreased evenly with this method. Mechanics gloves recommended, that puppy got hot !

While it's off I also plan to weld up the shifter, definitely not a deep weld there and could use a trace along the underside especially since the shaft doesn't even come close to poking through that end. My dealer is hours away and quite frankly I don't wanna work out that perfect shifter bend in the vise again:rolleyes:

Hope this helps someone.
 

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Fun4me

Active member
Joined
Apr 20, 2021
Messages
154
Location
O'Fallon, Illinois
Installed the shift shaft support on my LRD a year ago. I've seen all the comments from folks supporting the mod as well as the sceptics. All I can say is I experienced the same flex and miss-shifting described by many others prior to installing the support. I haven't had a miss-shift since the install, over 2,000 miles ago.
 

MisterB

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2022
Messages
168
Location
Monroe County, Ill
For 24 years I did production and maintenance at a grinding shop, for the past 2-1/2 years I've done maintenance and preventive maintenance on converting machinery.
Shafts, bearings, motors, etc, have been a part of my life for so long. We have to head off problems before they stop production. I am no stranger to worn out things.
The idea of adding support to an extended shaft isn't new, but I had lost a little excitement about crawling around on the ground to install this after seeing some of the comments.
I was already drenched in sweat getting the bike ready for a looming adventure so I put on the shift support.

There is always the chance of confirmation bias but I wasn't expecting to feel any difference, just hoping to potentially prevent wear.
The shaft is long enough that we have a good mechanical advantage against the bushings and internal parts.
Mileage is between 400 and 500 so I'm familiar with the feel of the shifter.
Took off to go get a refreshment and laughed out loud after the first shift. If someone had snuck in and changed it without me knowing I would've noticed the difference instantly.
If I had to describe how it shifted before it wouldn't be "like a brand new Honda". Of Hondas I've had a CB350, ST1300, and now a GL1800F6B. This transmission is completely different but I would now describe shifting as "crisp", like a brand new Honda should be.
Your results may differ, we all have different expectations and the production tolerances in these parts may be loose enough that 2 bikes have a very different feel to them.

Whether you love or hate the shifter support, thanks to all the forum members for their thoughts on this and all the other mods and accessories!
 

MisterB

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2022
Messages
168
Location
Monroe County, Ill
Haven't been feeling it with the shifter support, it was great at first but was feeling like pre-install. Changed oil tonight and saw that the bearing had freed itself from the housing!
Tapped it back in but will take it off and put a shaft collar with set-screw on it that butts against the inner race to keep it in place.
The bearing was a good fit, didn't pop back in with fingers, required force. That it was able to work free illustrates the forces at work on this shaft.
It will be a sacrificial component that takes the load off the integrated bearings.
When this bearing wears out there are FAR superior seals that would be more appropriate for exposed use. Will post bearing number if it's visible when I install the collar.
 
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