Gear shifter rod feels crunchy

After having completed the TRE mod today, I had a friend test drive the bike to get his opinion, and I rode his bike as well.

My bike surely pulls a lot better with all the mods than his new 2010 fully standard, but I noticed a few things when I rode his bike.

His clutch felt lighter and easier to squeeze. This it not a concern for me.

His gear shifter was much smoother and was much higher. I have now adjusted the gear linkage so that both the gear shifter rod crank is vertical, and the foot gear shifter pedal crank is vertical, this brought the pedal a bit higher and may help better return the shifter after changing gears, and eliminate missing gears some times.

But in trying to get my shifter more smooth, I inspected the shifter rod seal and it looked dry and a bit cracked.
I tried to spray it with WD40 and oil, but the shifter rod still feels sort of crunchy when I rotate it, like there is sand in the bearing.

I have googled gear shifter issues, and in some cases the seal needs replacement, and I think that is a good idea as it looks dry and cracked, but do you think I need to remove the shifter rod to clean it and regrease it ?

And what is the easiest way to remove the shifter rod ?

Not sure with the M although I am sure it's the same for the C, wouldn't want to give advice off the top of my head though. Have a look in the very top thread in this section as the M / VZ800 manual is there.

Might sound silly but as the engines oil dose the gears as well, is it up to date with the oil change, that can make a bigger difference than some might at first think or forget about

I have checked the oil and although I have not changed yet, it looks nice and light brown through the window.

I might try taking the shifter rod out and inspecting it for rust, and re-greasing it together with a new oil seal.

Hi Kim just wondering if you solved the gear shifter rod issue. I have the same problem with my c800 K8

Thanks

I've ordered a new oil seal, so maybe next week.

Let me know how things go. I know that to remove the shifter rod involves removing the clutch and associated parts to pull the rod out which is a lot of hassle if it's not really effecting the performance of the gears. 

Then there's the cost of new oil and clutch cover gasket which all stars to mount up.

I changed the oil seal, oil and oil filter today. It helped a bit, but there is still a little grinding feeling in the first small turning motion of the gear shifter shaft.

I could only get a 22x12x7mm oil seal, and the original is 22x12x9mm, but it does not matter as it just sits a bit deeper in the housing.

There is plenty of play between the shifter shaft and the housing, to allow oil to lubricate it, and I don't think it can rust in there.

But as it helped with the new oil, it is most likely just the return spring grinding a bit on the pin holding it.

Everything is working fine and the shifting is good, so I won't do anything about this.

If its a slight metal on metal scraping feeling...I've got it.. assumed it was normal !

That is also the conclusion I have come to now.  

Kim thanks for the update. Looks like there are a few of us with this. Your kind information will save others scratching their head with this one.  I like everything on my bike to be just right and this was beginning to grate on my nerves !

Good on you Kim for following through with this & letting us know your findings.