Lost gear shift lever

[MXF7290]

I decide to take my bike to work today. So I do my pre-ride inspect. Everything works nothing appears out of whack.

So I leave and get on the freeway. I get to a section where there is a new bypass being built. A state trooper has someone pulled over so everyone is slowing down

I go to to downshift and can't   I have no lever!   What a lousy feeling.

Luckily there is a Bike shop 2 miles from my job. So after work a new lever is on and tight

What a idiot    How could I not notice the lever getting loose.

[ajgs500]

ehhhh it happens people lose brake levers too

[Mandres]

I'm kinda suprised we don't hear about this happening more often.  It's not a very robust design; if that bolt backs itself off even a little bit then the lever is free to slide off.  They should have used a c-clip to retain the lever on the shaft.

-M

[sledge]

The lever will stay on even if the pinch-bolt is loose but it may well be sloppy, the bolt has to be out completely before the lever will slide off the splines.

[Queso]

When I changed my front sprocket, even with that nut completely out the clutch lever was still a bit of a struggle to get off... I found that comforting. I still reefed the sucker down when I put it back on, though...

[pandy]

What a idiot    How could I not notice the lever getting loose.

I lost mine on my NEW bike about a month or two after purchasing him. I had absolutely no warning at all before it happened; I simply reached to shift, and there was nothing there (you're right, it's NOT a good feeling!  ). I've been amazed at reading the kinds of things that vibrate loose. It's definitely taught me to keep an eye on tightening the bolts, etc. 

[onefastgs500]

LOCTITE people!!learn it love it use it!!!