Bicycle Mechanics - bar end shifter indexing issue

Switched to a different set of bars. I removed the shifters etc put on new bars.. replaced shifters. now my front shifter is mostly back to normal after some fiddling BUT:

the rear shifter only indexes in the smallest 2 and biggest 2 cogs. does friction in the middle.

I can flip the dial to friction and have them all be friction but when i put it back to SIS the middle doesn't index.

ideas?

oh yea.. rode 30mi on it yesterday prior to the change and everything worked with no issues.

something is out of synch, no cure guess sight unseen .. get the to a bike shop.

More guide pulley lateral slop may get close enough to have it find its alignment .

the issue seems to be in the shifter as it's not "clicking" through those gears.. there is no stopping point at each cog.

Yeah, bar end shifters can lose their proper indexing if not removed and reinstalled correctly. See these threads for help:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/526373-Barend-shifter-problems

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/601547-shimano-barcon-problem

Yea i'm really confused now. When it is disconnected it will click through 4 clicks (7 speed) i got it all adjusted so the freaking tab is on the bottom and it still does from low to 2nd cog then friction . . . . click on largest cog.. i'll probably give up and go ask at the LBS if i sheared something off or something.. my head hurts too much to screw with it more today

Aside from having the indexing disk in the correct orientation (it sounds like you've got that), also make sure the "friction/index" switch is set completely one way or the other. If it's in between it can act like you describe. Also, really tighten the center screw. If it comes loose, the indexing mechanism can go bad quickly.

Jakedatc, I'd used my Shimano bar end shifters in the friction mode before installing them on another bike and switching to index mode. It did the same thing you're having trouble with. Switch to friction and move the lever fully to one extreme or the other (I don't remember which way I went), switch to index mode. It may work then, if not return to friction mode and move the lever to the opposite extreme and switch to index.

Brad

Tried both of those... didn't work. I'll stop by the LBS tomorrow while i'm out and see what they think. kinda annoying since this is just my rain/back up bike and i was just playing around with another set of bars a friend gave me.

My 7-sp. bar end shifters behaved like that when they were given to me, and the guy who gave them to me said they were messed up and he didn't think they could be fixed. There are four possible ways (IIRC) to reassemble them, and he must have tried three and given up. I got them working in about two minutes. Also, we were both working in a bike shop when it happened and are both very experieiced, so don't be surprised if the shop can't get it right on the first try either.

I dunno. They said i had it assembled correctly. I might have broken something internally either while i was taking it apart or putting it back together. For now i'll just leave it on friction and call it good enough. The amount i ride that bike it doesn't really matter for now.

I dunno. They said i had it assembled correctly. I might have broken something internally either while i was taking it apart or putting it back together. For now i'll just leave it on friction and call it good enough. The amount i ride that bike it doesn't really matter for now.

Don't take their word for it. The indexing disk is easy to get wrong, and easy to miss unless you're really looking for it. The fat tab needs to point down as in this PDF:

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/EV/bikecomponents/SL/EV-SL-BS77-1664_v1_m56577569830628723.pdf

Yeah, bar end shifters can lose their proper indexing if not removed and reinstalled correctly. See these threads for help:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/526373-Barend-shifter-problems

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/601547-shimano-barcon-problem

Beat me to it. Most people don't give any thought to putting the shifter back exactly to where it was. It's an easy fix. Just put the shifter pod on a down tube boss and turn it all the way in either direction and then reinstall.

I will take a picture later and post it up and see what people think.

This is from my experience:

Once you incorrectly install and subsequently attempt to operate the improperly assembled barcon shifter, you've got to get back to point A. Shimano's directions for installation of new barcons even instruct the user to not operate or fiddle with the assembly prior to new installation. Unfortunately, those same instructions don't describe what exactly will happen if you do fiddle with them or the procedure to correct.

To restore the lever range and indexing action, you use the "lever boss cover" as a *key* to wind the lever back to its original position. Merely rotating the lever boss cover to its correct position won't necessarily correct the problem.

From recollection, here's how I have done this:
Remove or disconnect cable
Remove the lever and boss cover from shifter body
Install boss cover in correct orientation
Put lever in place on stud or "axle", but in the LOW position; that is, with the lever nearly parallel to the ground.
With either the screw in place or with your thumb & finger securely holding the lever against the boss cover, shift the lever to the HIGH position.
Repeat this action, if necessary, until the mechanism is restored to its original position. You'll know this when it won't rotate with gentle force.
Install the lever in the HIGH position and secure mounting screw. You should now be able to operate the barcon through the full range of indexing detents.
Re-install cable and adjust tension as necessary.

Desertdork should get a prize for this!

Regards,
Bob P.

Desertdork should get a prize for this!

No kidding! I had the same problem back in '97 and did get it figured out, but with no recollection of specifics. Hence, it's been easy to keep quiet on this thread. :-)

This is from my experience:

Once you incorrectly install and subsequently attempt to operate the improperly assembled barcon shifter, you've got to get back to point A. Shimano's directions for installation of new barcons even instruct the user to not operate or fiddle with the assembly prior to new installation. Unfortunately, those same instructions don't describe what exactly will happen if you do fiddle with them or the procedure to correct.

To restore the lever range and indexing action, you use the "lever boss cover" as a *key* to wind the lever back to its original position. Merely rotating the lever boss cover to its correct position won't necessarily correct the problem.

From recollection, here's how I have done this:


Remove or disconnect cable
Remove the lever and boss cover from shifter body
Install boss cover in correct orientation
Put lever in place on stud or "axle", but in the LOW position; that is, with the lever nearly parallel to the ground.
With either the screw in place or with your thumb & finger securely holding the lever against the boss cover, shift the lever to the HIGH position.
Repeat this action, if necessary, until the mechanism is restored to its original position. You'll know this when it won't rotate with gentle force.
Install the lever in the HIGH position and secure mounting screw. You should now be able to operate the barcon through the full range of indexing detents.
Re-install cable and adjust tension as necessary.



WOOO HOOO! You rock... this made way more sense than before. I think i kept moving the boss cover every time so i kept undoing what i was fixing. took freaking 3 minutes and everything is beautiful. I really appreciate it. I'm copying those directions and putting them with the PDF picture so i can keep it on my computer.

thanks so much.

Desertdork should get a prize for this!

Regards,
Bob P.

yes he should. was extremely well written and makes 100% sense.

Excellent - You got it! Glad it all made sense - and you're welcome. (I've learned my share from the members on this forum, so I've got to pay my dues as I can).

I guess you know something the LBS doesn't? That's gotta feel pretty good.

Happy indexed shifting!

Yep. i've definitely learned plenty the last few years on here. And try to pass on as much as I can too.

It is definitely nice to be able to do things without LBS assistance.. i have tried to add to my tool collection and learn how to do most maintenance stuff to avoid going.

might take it out for a recovery ride tomorrow. We'll see how i feel about really really narrow bars haha