2019 Honda Monkey Build: TB Parts Shift Lever
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- Another great "bang for your buck" mod for the Monkey!
I'm a fan of cheap, easy, and effective mods for ANYTHING, let alone the Monkey! One of the things on the Monkey and Grom (as well as many motorcycles in general) is the use of shift linkages to connect the lever with the shaft. I believe this is to isolate the shifter shaft from the lever to avoid direct forces applied to the shaft in the event of a crash or contact, HOWEVER, it could also be the position of the shaft in relation to the footpeg, and for packaging/space confinement reasons. Either way, the linkage is an area of improvement in my opinion as I've seen many of them on Groms have bent rods, which to me causes imprecise shifting action. With the TB Parts shift lever, you now have a direct attachment to the shifter shaft on the transmission, the same as the Honda Mini-Trails and small-bore bikes have always had. With it, you get a major improvement in precision and a much more solid shifter feel. A pronounced "click" is felt and heard when shifting now, and in my opinion, tightens everything up and makes it feel more sporty and racy. Just the way I like it!
I highly recommend this mod as it's cheap, easy, and adds a different feel to the bike. It's definitely a mod you can feel, and also one that you can see, as it looks WAY better than the factory shift mechanism! The vintage look of the shifter matches the Monkey perfectly.
I picked this shifter up from the good folks at TB Parts at the Barber Small Bore event, but you can get yours and a choice of some other styles using the link below, as well as some other great Monkey and Grom parts:
www.tbparts.co...
Perfect!!!!! This is what I needed to finally pull the trigger on this. These little feedbacks is what helps!!!!
So worth it for $25! Second best bang for the buck after a $10 14T front sprocket!
Just buy it. Shop around too not all dealers are doing MSRP
Add the G-Craft shifter bearing support first for even smoother shifts. Highly recommended as the shaft sticks out a fare way. Just gives it some extra support.
Nice upgrade to the upgrade! Would eliminate the worry factor for some too👌
I agree and thank you for pointing this out. What are your thoughts between the linkless shift/support vs a rose joint shift link kit? I’m new to bikes completely
Did mine today, piece of cake. Watching your video was a big help.
That's a pretty good upgrade I bet it'll be a lot better to shift with
It’s much more precise, which adds a great feel to the transmission in my opinion
I like to replace my shifter with one like that. Thanks for the video.
I just installed this TB Parts shifter on my Monkey last weekend, taking measurements both before and after. The new shifter places the shifter peg about 1/2 inch forward vs the stock shifter. That said, during the couple hours I rode it the next day, I didn’t notice the difference at all, except that I did notice a slight improvement over the slop of the stock unit. Given its price, and ease of replacement, I’d say it’s worth it. Just my 2¢.
Thanks for the feedback! Glad you like it
This video helped me alot. Thankss!! Watched it during the montage. Only thing thats handy and necessary is a plyer to remove the clip. Furthermore no difficulties.
Glad it helped! (And someone acknowledged my montage!! 🙌)
Going out to the garage to do mine right now. Thanks for the video, very informative.
Definitely recommend the bearing support. I did the same pair of upgrades (on my channel) and that support keeps that shaft from bending just in case.
Agree 100%. I used the Hard Racing bearing support bracket.
After looking at OEM shifters fromHonda Trail 70's , The argument about damage, just does not fly for me. Love the new "old style", after market shifter. If Honda was able to get by with simple honest design from 1969-1994, that's proof enough for me. Good find John!!😀
EXACTLY!! I don’t get it either
One of the best affordable upgrades you can do to a Monkey. No more slop in shifting. Do not buy the universal shifters. If they don't have that 90 degree bend it won't work properly. I bought one of those universal shifters at first, and yes you can use it, it puts the shifter directly under the engine and makes shifting very uncomfortable. This one with the bend puts the shifter in the correct position out of the way of the engine. Shifting is so snappy and clean now it makes me wonder why the Monkey doesn't come with this standard.
Thanks for the comment! I'm not sure why Honda and other manufacturers use the linkage. My new Trail 125 doesn't use it and has a factory equipped direct mounted shifter.
I like it! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks John 👍🏼
Someone watched all the way through 😉
Great video, John. After having the monkey for only 5 days, the shifting is the only thing super annoying 😁 You seem to be holding a different shifter in your hands at the end. It seems to be all metal, without the rubber end. I saw something like that on the TB Parts site too. Is that for the monkey too? If so, why did you decide to install the one with the rubber end? Just wondering!
Thanks Yvonne! Yes, TB offers two options for shifters, the one I used with the rubber tip and the same shifter, but with a knurled aluminum tip in red or black. I liked the way the rubber tip looked, it was more vintage style. I used the aluminum tip versions on my Grom and pit bikes
Just did it, C clip was a pain, the shifts are much more “connected” feeling.
indeed!
I need one of these... The stock is soooo bad!! so hard to find neutral...
Agreed!
First thing I had to upgrade. If you wear size 14s the stock shifter doesn't work. It's one of the poor design issues with the grom and Monkey.
Definitely helps with the big long cowboy boots I normally wear while riding! 🤠
Hi John, just tried installing a hammerhead shift lever from MNNTHBX - everything seemed to work fine but the bike is only going down for first gear and up stays in neutral, did I do something wrong?
EDIT looks like rolling it back and forth a bit seems to have changed the indicator at least - I’m gonna go for a ride around the block later to make sure everything is running properly. John thanks for making these videos!
Glad you got it!
Also, looking at pictures of the stock bike and your bike with this shifter installed, the shifter seems to end at the same place as the stock one - but the shifter is said to be an inch longer. I don’t want a longer shifter as my feet are small, about a 6 Men’s (8 women!) - Is it really longer?
Nope, same tip location, but what you’re seeing is a longer shaft because the stock shifter uses a pivot shaft and the TB shifter mounts direct to the shift rod
Yet another mod i did after watching one your videos. Feels much better than the stock one.thinking of making my own easier to get to seat bolts the ones available are pricey! Got any ideas?
Glad to hear this! You can definitely make your own seat knobs, a peruse of McMaster Carr and focusing on M6 bolts would be a good start
@@John5XR good web site thanks. The bolt size seems like an m8 I’m going to have to make a trip to the store to double check to be sure before ordering
Bought it and love it! Another great video. Question, I often have difficulty finding neutral on my monkey and was wondering if this is normal or not as I see quite a bit of this on groms which I believe is the same set up as my monkey.
It's normal. You'll eventually get used to it and find it alot easier....lol
I also added the support bracket recently and that helped quite alot also.
Awesome! I have trouble with neutral on both my Monkey and Grom. “Normal” unfortunately
John5XR thanks, I was beginning to think it was me, lol! I’ve owned many bikes in the 30 years I’ve been riding and never was one this difficult to find neutral.
Big_Boulders thanks, still won’t keep me from grinning while riding it😉
Baldi Locks can you tell me the specific name of this part and where you ordered yours from? I would like to purchase one, THANK YOU !
Awesome!! My XT250, has that same rediculess mess! Why?! Great mod buddy!
Lol, no idea! I had a KLX125 with the same thing. So much slack!
Great !! where can i get one...( sorry if i missed it )
Should be a link in the video description below, but if I didn’t, TBParts.com
What is the name and or part number of this and where can I purchase it from ? Thank you !
its hard to make it free ???????????????????
No loctite???
I didn’t choose to use it. I’d rather check it periodically and tighten as needed rather than use loctite as it’s a small bolt and something I might take off again. Plus, the split design of the spline on the shifter should act as a lock washer. I’ll risk it 🙃
One more thing to add. Good walk through. Thanks
I've been riding 44 years and never needed loctite on a shifter bolt.
You lucky ...
You are a fool if you think you need loctite on a shifter bolt.
I hope i win🤩