Author Topic: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz  (Read 3036 times)

Offline jagarra

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Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« on: April 10, 2022, 05:32:05 PM »
Here is the problem.  I am having a difficult time shifting gears because the end of the lever does not stick out far enough so I can get my foot underneath to shift. Having hard time not missing shift to 2nd.  According to the parts manuals there are 2 shifters for the S model, these numbers appear between all models of the K75 based on which model /year you check.  There is a schwarz model and the other one, does anyone know what the difference is?? I found one on ebay that looks like it extends more outward but it says it for a 89 or newer and mine is a 87. Parts list only 2 number for the item 23-31-1-457-420 for a Schwarz and 23-31-1-464-225 for everything else.  As a matter of note the RT model K75 lists the Schwarz only.
  • Nevada
  • l1974 R90/6, 1987 K75S (0761) , 1994 R1100RS, 1964 Triumph T100

Offline jagarra

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2022, 06:11:18 PM »

* straightshifter.jpg (73.84 kB . 640x480 - viewed 394 times)
* straightshifter.jpg (73.84 kB . 640x480 - viewed 394 times)
* straightshifter.jpg (73.84 kB . 640x480 - viewed 394 times)
Here is the problem.  I am having a difficult time shifting gears because the end of the lever does not stick out far enough so I can get my foot underneath to shift. Having hard time not missing shift to 2nd.  According to the parts manuals there are 2 shifters for the S model, these numbers appear between all models of the K75 based on which model /year you check.  There is a schwarz model and the other one, does anyone know what the difference is?? I found one on ebay that looks like it extends more outward but it says it for a 89 or newer and mine is a 87. Parts list only 2 number for the item 23-31-1-457-420 for a Schwarz and 23-31-1-464-225 for everything else.  As a matter of note the RT model K75 lists the Schwarz only.
Googled schwarz only to find out that it means black in German, whoopee.  Did take a picture of relation of lever to footpeg, I believe I see the issue..... :johnny


* shifter.jpg (96.19 kB . 640x480 - viewed 343 times)

Having some issues editing, but have included picture of straighten out lever, great what a 20 ton press can do. 
  • Nevada
  • l1974 R90/6, 1987 K75S (0761) , 1994 R1100RS, 1964 Triumph T100

Offline foliver

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2022, 09:41:27 PM »
so, seemed bend right?
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Offline jagarra

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2022, 10:48:06 PM »
Yes, it was bent inward causing me to miss catching it properly.  This bike had been involved in crash during its life before me, the guy I bought it from had purchased it as a salvaged vehicle and made repairs.  Guess he missed the lever, I didn't see any marks indicating it was hit on end.
  • Nevada
  • l1974 R90/6, 1987 K75S (0761) , 1994 R1100RS, 1964 Triumph T100

Offline Laitch

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2022, 12:53:00 AM »
. . . picture of straighten out lever, great what a 20 ton press can do.
Yes it is great. Good work figuring out the problem, and its solution in your case.  icon_cheers Thanks for the photos.
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Offline frankenduck

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2022, 01:18:48 AM »
The only difference is that the black one is painted. Exact same shape. Only late model K75s had the schwartz version.

Usually they break if the bike goes down on the left side. They are made of a somewhat brittle aluminum alloy and chances are that if you attempt to bend it then it will break or be much weaker.

There's a mark on the shifter shaft out of the transmission that should be aligned with the gap at the rear of the shift lever. <- First thing to check. Take the left peg plate off and have a look.

If you tighten that bolt at the rear of the shift lever too much then it will break the shift lever. (learned that the hard way.) Just get it snug. It's the grove in the shaft that keeps the shift lever in place, not the amount of torque on that bolt.

What size are your feet/boots?



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Offline jagarra

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2022, 08:30:41 AM »
The lever was bent in or had a curve in the straight section right after the mounting point between where it starts to narrow and swing out to the pad. so the pressure was applied in that section to straighten the curve out a little.  Interesting that it was bend in that location, as that is the thickest part of the lever, I just hope I didn't weaken it enough to break when I am out in the middle of nowhere in Nevada.  My shoe size is a 10, I think the inward angle was giving me fits, will see when I ride bike again. 
  • Nevada
  • l1974 R90/6, 1987 K75S (0761) , 1994 R1100RS, 1964 Triumph T100

Offline Chaos

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2022, 10:00:24 AM »
I had mine break after a minor dump once, small vice grip got me home, clamped it on the shaft, not a great fix but allowed me to shift good enough. 
  • sw ohio
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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2022, 10:34:10 AM »
I carry a spare shifter along with clutch and front brake levers on my horizon chaser. 
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Offline frankenduck

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2022, 07:03:58 PM »
When the one on my K75RT broke just the pedal part broke off. It was bit awkward but I was able to make it home shifting with what was left of the shift lever.

If you bent it then it is probably weaker now. I'd replace it or at least carry a spare.

Once I had a Collie pup. Dug a hole and covered him up. Now I sit there by the hour. Waiting for a Collie-flower.
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Offline jagarra

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2022, 08:54:41 PM »
I ordered one off eBay, all that was listed was the Schwarz version coming out of Germany, those buggers are pricey. It beats the dealer $$$$ which is even higher.
  • Nevada
  • l1974 R90/6, 1987 K75S (0761) , 1994 R1100RS, 1964 Triumph T100

Offline frankenduck

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2022, 08:28:46 AM »
BMW price is only $171.48 for either schwartz or no schwartz:

https://shop.maxbmw.com/fiche/PartsSearch.aspx?&searchtype=undefined&parts=23311457420%0A23311464225%0A

Note that the schwartz lever weighs 0.03 lbs less.  Saving weight leads to better performance. :laughing4-giggles:
Once I had a Collie pup. Dug a hole and covered him up. Now I sit there by the hour. Waiting for a Collie-flower.
New to K bikes? Click here.
K Bike Maintenance & Mods: Click here.
Buy parts here.

Offline jagarra

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Re: Gear lever, Schwarz or no schwarz
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2022, 02:44:03 PM »
The saga continues.  I was looking at the levers on eBay, this one seller in Germany had a couple listed so I picked one and ordered it.  So awhile later in the morning I get a notice from eBay that the item was no longer available and to look for alternatives, so I then went back and ordered one of the others the seller had listed for a couple dollars more.  Now I am looking at the shipping and deductions from my PayPal account account and it looks like I will have 2 units coming to me.  So now I have to return one unless an inmate is looking for a spare.
  • Nevada
  • l1974 R90/6, 1987 K75S (0761) , 1994 R1100RS, 1964 Triumph T100

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