Beta Riders Club Discussion Forum

I recently changed clutch plates without apparent issues. Shortly after the bike gear shifter got jammed. It started by only shifting 1st to 2nd, now its jammed. When I remove the gear change foot lever the splined shaft seems OK, meaning there is just a minimal amount of play. Internally, just near the clutch plates is where the whole gear shift mechanism resides. I think that may be the problem. Anyone else have this happen? Or any ideas? I dont think its related to the clutch plates, the bike disengages when I use the clutch handle (although there was a little clutch drag before it jammed.)

There is a shift pawl on the end of the shifter shift.

It can become stuck or break.

It can typically be replaced by removing the right side case. It is an easy fix.

The shift pawl is a ratcheting mechanism that rotates the the end of the shift drum. The shift drum has slots it in it that move the shift forks. The shift forks slide the gears on the gear shafts to engage and disengage the gear sets.

There is a video on YouTube for replacing the shift shaft on a beta...

Jeff

This is very good info. Is this the you tube video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPBIbiSYhIw

Update - I just watched that video, it lays it all out. I'd bet that's where my issue is.

I just had the engine cover off last week to replace a suspected crank seal leak & replaced the clutch plates while I was at it. here we go again

I took apart up to the clutch nut. The pawl looks ok, although sloppy welds nothing looks cracked. Sorry for the video moving around. But you can see all the freeplay when I push the shift lever in and out, is that right? When I press the shift lever it will not turn the drum, maybe a part broken internal on the gear shift shaft?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/91CBqSu14TqH131G6

I pulled out the shift shaft & it looked OK. Played with it & put it back in, its now turning the barrel. Could be the spring or something is a little worn. I'll order a new one just to make sure I dont have to take apart again. Thx.

Nice.

For the play I noticed there was a washer that is on the shaft. This is shown in the video. I would make sure it is installed.

Not sure how this particular shift pawl works. Some are stamped out and have rough edges which can be smoothed with a file or a knife sharpening stone. This makes the operation smoother to make it less sticky....

Sorry I don't have more specific detail. The last time I had to change a shift shaft was on my 1974 kawasaki kx125. And that was in 1974!


Jeff

Your advice got me going down the right path. Saved me a lot vs taking it to a shop to diagnose & fix. Plus I learned a lot!