| Author | Message | ||
     Zenbiker |
I have seen two types of shifter arms on S2s. One is the boomerang the other is similar but had straight, not curved arms, if that makes any sense. I am just curios if anyone knows the story on this. | ||
| Davefl |
The Boomerang is the stock shifter. the other shifters are either the newer shifters off of a later M2/S3 or aftermarket. | ||
| Phelan |
Zen, if you're talking about the v shaped arm on the Flat red S2 in the other thread, that was also an original S2 piece, but only on the early '95s (first 300 or less). It's the same shifter tha was used on the RSs. | ||
| Screamer |
I've never seen the RS style of shifter used on a S2 like the one in the "anybody know this bike" string - but it wouldn't surprise me. Many early bikes had several part variations (my first S2 came new with, and still has - RS style handlebars). Early S2 catalogs show an angular RS shift lever artwork but have the part number for the curved style. S2s used two different shift levers that Im aware of. The earlier one - which came on bikes with VINs numbered ...0978 and earlier, had a single "cutout" on the upright arm part of the lever. The arm also had an offset to clear the derby/primary cover - and it flexed horribly. The later S2 levers had two cutouts on the uprights and the upright arm was flat. But,,, the upright portion was above the pivot hole (instead of in front of the hole like the early levers). Being above the hole moved the arm back and changed the pivot center - which made it clear the derby/primary. They also required and new longer linkage rod. The later ones were more robust and flexed much less. They were used on S2s with VIN ...0979 and later. I still have the original early lever that came off my first S2 (bought in June 1994 - still have) and I have a later lever that came off a new S2 that fell off the sidestand in our showroom (in late 1994). I'll post photos (with Frank's help) later this weekend. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Here's my '95 S2 (#1365). Stock shifter, but upgraded sideplates and sidestand:  | ||
| Jolly |
my 95 S2 has the set up that the pivot point is in the aft section... so the upright is in front of the pivot, but it has two small cut outs. To quote ZZ-Top... "Crunchy...Crunchy".... | ||
| Screamer |
RatBuell, You have the later of the two that I was referring to. Two cutouts like you mentioned, and the upright is above the pivot hole. The earlier shifter had the upright in front of the hole. | ||
| Screamer |
Jolly, Do you have a photo? Thanks RatBuell, Sorry - I was mixing your photo with Jolly's post. | ||
| Jolly |
I have at least two different versions of the shifter set up with the arm in front of the pivot: this one is on the bike, it has two cut outs in the vertical, the pivot is behind the upright arm  this one is a single cut out on the vertical and the pivot is behind the upright arm:  | ||
| Screamer |
Jolly - thanks for the photo. I'm doing something wrong so I'm unable to load the lever photos I've taken. From looking at photos from S2 and S1 owners manuals, the lever in the top photos looks very much like an early S1 lever. Do you know if the lever has ever been replaced? The bottom is the same as the early lever I have and it matches the lever shown in the early '95 owner's manual. | ||
| Zenbiker |
Yes, this is very interesting. Is their a benefit to having one over the other i.e. pivot location? Or was it a "one supplier made it this way, another made it that way" situation. | ||
| 1313 |
Is their a benefit to having one over the other i.e. pivot location? Or was it a "one supplier made it this way, another made it that way" situation. I don't recall the reason why although I suspect the latter setup provides for a little less effort (by transmitting the forces more directly to shifting). Hard to explain, but I can visualize it. Here's a snap shot from the 95/96 S2/S2T parts book:  And a comparison between the 95 S2 parts book (upper) and 95/96 S2/S2T parts book (lower) illustrations.  I do know that my left pants leg would often get looped around the latter version whenever I would go to put my left foot down... 1313 | ||
| Zenbiker |
Haa Haa!!! Yes Brankin, I had that happen 3 times to me with the newer curved 'Boomerang'. The last one almost ended up with me falling into oncoming traffic on a left hand divided highway crossing. I made some adjustments to my style after that. | ||
| Ratbuell |
...and therein probably lies the reason for the change... Erik actually **rides**...remember? I bet it only took one pants-leg-hook and he told his staff to "figure something out". (note - the above scenario is strictly anecdotal...) |
