Three Speed Shifter Bearing?

5

5-7HEAVEN

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I bought a 1976 Huffy sports bike with 3-speed hub recently. The shifter on the handlebar wasn't clicking into place, so I decided to disassemble it. I felt something hit my foot while I was looking away. Didn't see anything on the floor, so I kept working on it. When I reassembled the shifter, it STILL wouldn't hold the cable tight in gear. There's also a clamp missing on the downtube, which I need to replace, but the shifter won't "click" and hold its position.

My question is: Is there a missing ball bearing that acts as a detent which locks the shifter in position? Does anyone have an exploded diagram of a 3-speed shifter?

Sorry, don't have a camera. I SWEAR that it seems to need a ball bearing in there.
 
Just as easy to find an inexpensive matching shifter over on E Bay. Be sure to adjust cable correctly after assembling.
 
Eureka! I Found It!

Swept under the sofa, fishing for what might've dropped out and possibly rolled away. First sofa, no luck.

Swept under the couch which was 6 feet away.....and out rolled a ball bearing the size of a large BB shot!!!

Sure enough, it belonged in the shifter. Installed it, tightened it, and the click shifter WORKS now!!!

Talk about "dog luck". :)

Kinda loose but what the hey, it's 34 years old.:whistle:
 
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Swept under the sofa, fishing for what might've dropped out and possibly rolled away. First sofa, no luck.

Swept under the couch which was 6 feet away.....and out rolled a ball bearing the size of a large BB shot!!!

Sure enough, it belonged in the shifter. Installed it, tightened it, and the click shifter WORKS now!!!

Kinda loose but what the hey, it's 34 years old.:whistle:

lucky you!!! I have an almost shag kinda berber carpet. I have lost more screws/bolts/hard to replace things than I can count.

Finding that bearing is guaranteed easier than trying to find a 3 decade old replacement... or a suitable match.

GOOD FIND!!!
 
I wasn't even gonna look for it and started searching ebay for a shifter last night. Then I started thinking that if it WAS a little bearing that hit my bare foot and rolled away, I'd be able to fix it for free...tonight!!!

I own dogs and step in poop VERY often, so luck is always with me!
 
lucky you!!! I have an almost shag kinda berber carpet. I have lost more screws/bolts/hard to replace things than I can count.

Finding that bearing is guaranteed easier than trying to find a 3 decade old replacement... or a suitable match.

GOOD FIND!!!

vtec, maybe you need to drag the carpet with a magnet.:unsure:
 
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