Sticky Shifter on a 2003 Yamaha MidnightStar?

Question

My shifter sticks up or down, depending on what gear I am going into, when shifting. For instance, when shifting up into second gear, i must gently tap the shifter down to the middle postion in order to continue to shift into third gear. It almost feels like the spring mechanism that returns the shifter isn't working properly. Any ideas what this could be? Thanks...

Answer 1

I am not familiar with that model, but, a bike usually has a direct external shifter (IE the shift pedal mounts on the actual shift shaft sticking out of the engine case) when these stick it is usually because the shift shaft itself has been slightly bent and is dragging where it exits the case. If shaft is bent badly it will need to be replaced or straightened, if only slightly bent try lubricating it with some oil.
The other type of external shifter uses linkage of some sort, if your bike has linkage check all the joints for tightness/loosness/rust etc.
Internally, there is a return spring, usually sort of a hairpin design. Occasionally the pin that those type of springs center on comes loose and will cause the problem you describe, hopefully your problem is an external one.

Answer 2

If you haven't dumped it and bent the shifter like the previous fellow said, then most likely it's the spring on the shaft. The shaft that goes through the engine cover connects to a flat rectangular metal piece which has a coil spring that returns it to the center position after being moved. Try removing the shift lever and then the engine cover and you should be able to see if the spring behind the flat piece is broken.