Wtd: Bushing/bearing suggestions for center pivot shifter

[RussMcB]

I'm getting ready to build a new cockpit shifter and it will pivot in the middle. What would be a good arrangement for a low friction pivot point?

I've ruled out something with a regular rod end because it allows movement in too many directions and I don't really want to make a gate to limit the movement to only go forward and backward. I'm thinking of a through bolt and some type of double shear mount. If I put it together with moly grease is that good enough? Or do I need more, such as a nylon bushing, or ???.

TIA. I can provide more details if it will help.

[RobLav]

No idea if mine will work well, but I used a brass bushing.

[formulasuper]

If you have access to it for continual relubing a simple thru bolt should work. As you know, I went the quick & easy route by fabbing a simple "I" gate aluminum plate for my original SV shifter & it works perfect.

[Mike B]

Russ,
After struggling with the mechanical linkage and all the drag that came with it, I switched to a pure cable design. My friendly neighborhood machinist uses a similar set-up on his dune buggies so I had him make the weld bushing and delrin bushings shown in the photo. I welded up a simple handle as shown and welded it to the outside of the tube just below the original shifter.
I've used it for two weekends and it works great. I have it adjusted so that I can upshift and downshift with the heel of my hand without taking my hand of the wheel. No need for a wizzy, complicated paddle shifter!

[RussMcB]

Thanks, Mike. Looks good.

[S Lathrop]

Try using a Garloc DU bushing. I use them for many things. They are inexpensive, replaceable, and durable. You can get them with flanges if you want. They make a 5/16 ID and 3/8th OD in many widths.

[camaroz1985]

In the FSAE world we used both bronze bushings (they make graphite impregnated, and oil impregnated) as well as small roller bearings. We found that the while the bushings worked well for a while, the bearing held up in the long run, and were worth the small sacrifice in weight.

[ReynardF1000]

The key to any remote bike shifting application seems to be low friction and rigid mounting (no bending mounting points between the handle and bike shifting arm and no loose bearings).