Gear shifter fell off - Pointy.
 

Turned at a junction and went for 2nd....huh?...no gear shifter:confused: well it was there just a moment ago! Pulled in to the side and saw the whole assembly was hanging loose. Only 1/2 a mile from home luckily so rode slowly in 1st. Right let's have a good look....ah bolt 33 has come out.

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...dyr/d_4313.jpg
I dropped the bike in the garage a while back and the shifter took the weight - must have worked it loose a bit and over time it has come right out. Took off ring 38 and slid out the lever allowing me to tighten the bolt. Popped back the ring and 'bingo' the shifter changes nicely now - I thought it had been a bit notchy!
Gives you a bit of a scare mind when you go to change and there is nothing there! Could have been worse and happened miles from home - or even worse, when overtaking:(

Re: Gear shifter suddenly not there!
 

Happened to me once. Make zip/cable ties your best friend. I always carry a pack for moments like these.

Re: Gear shifter suddenly not there!
 

Happened to me and a bunch of people about 6 years ago - K6's seemed particularly prone.

Re: Gear shifter suddenly not there!
 

so no weekly checks then I take it :smt102

Re: Gear shifter suddenly not there!
 

Well I'll certainly check that one from now on! Mind you If weekly checks are to involve every Suzuki bit that might come loose, the check time will outway the riding! :)

Re: Gear shifter suddenly not there!
 

seriously ? you don't ride for more than 15 minutes a week?

Suzuki factory worker forgot to threadlock and torque these on a shift?

Re: Gear shifter suddenly not there!
 

About 15 hours per week. Seriously, I wonder how many SV riders check their shift torque more than a couple of times a year? Tyres, brakes, oil, chain etc but nuts and bolts...I wonder how often the guys on here do those?

Re: Gear shifter fell off - Pointy.
 

That's a good point - I did not threadlock mine when I put it back - should have really I suppose.

Re: Gear shifter fell off - Pointy.
 

frankly I'm surprised it undone so much as the fall off without you noticing although you did say it felt notchy, but still didn't check, if you ignore the bike giving you signs something is wrong, then you're going to have an eventful time with it.