Shifter jammed into vertical position on tour

[Mtbjay]

I had my first "accident" after eight-years as a returning rider. I was on tour and fatigued from a long day that included being caught in snow/sleet storm at 7,000 feet for 70 miles when it happened. A 0 MPH tip-over. My stubby legs, and a lack of assertiveness while I was attempting a 3-point turn on a narrow forest service road, left me without forward momentum just long enough to stall a tip-over. The bike sustained barely a scratch, but curiously, the shifter was stuck in a vertical position (12 O'clock), noticed once the bike was upright. A few attempts to push it back down were unsuccessful. Then I had the idea to start the bike and pull the clutch before trying again. It worked and the shifter dropped into place. Outside of a minor bend in the connecting rod, everything seems right.

What happened? Should I inspect anything for damage? Anyone else experience this? (My boot tip caught the shifter as I attempted to hold the beast from tipping, then had to bail-out to avoid being caught under the machine.)

 

[Checkswrecks]

I've bent the shifter and bent it back, but vertical? Got photos?

 

[Mtbjay]

Nothing?

 

[PowersUSA]

Had the same thing happen to me this weekend. Same end result, it pushed back through to the normal position and a slightly bent connector rod. I don't know how "safe" it is for the shifter to rotate that far "up", but so far it seems fine.

 

[mebgardner]

Two in a few days, huh. I'm hopeful these don't happen in 3's.

 

[AVGeek]

If anyone does happen to have this situation, snap a pic and post it here...

 

[Dogdaze]

::006::

 

[lynnsox]

Here's your third. Exact same thing happened to me Sat morning. Going downhill in first gear , wet grass and a few clay ruts= instant down. Shifter straight up. Put it back in place and rode another 500 miles for the weekend no worse for wear except a slightly bent shift rod. will repair this week. Sorry no pics either!

 

[HeliMark]

I did this to mine several years ago. Low speed drop on the left side resulting in the shifter pointing straight up. I pushed it back forward, and it "snapped" back to the horizontal position. Was able to rebend the shift rod somewhat straight, and rode home. I replaced the rod, not because it wasn't working, but everytime I looked at the bike, it seemed to say to me that I owed it a new one...lol.

That was 40K miles ago, and still going. Tough bike.

Mark

Mark

 

[msch]

The same thing happen to me on February this year. I pushed back through to the normal position and ended with a bent connector rod. Corrected the bent connector to a slightly bent doing force with my hand. Shifting worked well. At home disassembled the connecting rod, aligned it and installed back.
I believe this is an excellent Yamaha design that avoids broken parts. Did not took pictures.