How to Recondition RapidFire Plus Shifters
Shows how to troubleshoot, clean and lubricate RapidFire-style index shift levers.
In today’s tutorial, we’ll learn how to troubleshoot and repair a RapidFire Plus style index shifter. For this job you’ll need a phillips(+) screwdriver, a 4 or 5mm allen key, some light oil, spray grease, and some penetrating fluid like liquid wrench or WD-40.
Sometimes nothing happens if you try to shift up to an easier gear, or down to a harder gear. If your cables are functioning smoothly, this likely means that there is either a build up of gunk on the inside of your shifter, or that some of the internal parts are worn or broken.
Try This First
If it’s just gummed up, sometimes you can get it working again by squirting some light oil inside, and then running through the gears several times to make sure the oil fully penetrates the internal parts.
Look Inside
If not, you’ll have to remove the outer casing and take a look inside. Keep in mind that there are many different styles of these shifters but the concept is generally the same. You don’t want to remove all of the screws on the shifter as there are many small springs and moving parts that are difficult to put back together. Try and see which screw looks like it removes only the dust cover.
With the cover removed, you should see a ratcheting mechanism that includes a gear and a spring loaded pawl. If you run through the gears while looking inside, you’ll see that every time you shift up to an easier gear the pawl pushes against the gear until it clicks it into the next position. This builds tension on the spring and pulls the cable a set amount, which moves your derailleur up one sprocket.
When you use the index lever to shift the derailleur down into a harder gear, the spring releases and causes the gear to slip back one position. This releases the cable a set amount, which pulls your derailleur down one sprocket.
Further Repair
If either of these functions is not happening, inspect the gears and pawls to make sure nothing is broken or looks worn. If they are, you’ll usually just have to replace the shifter. If everything looks fine but the shifter still doesn’t work, you can give it a bit of an overhaul to clean and re-lubricate the inner mechanism.
Disassemble Shifter
You’ll have to remove the shift cable first. It’ll usually slide out the of the shifter when it’s in the highest gear (7,8,9). Then remove the shifter body from your handlebar using the top allen bolt. Unscrew and remove the barrel adjuster and then remove any remaining screws until you can pull apart the dust covers and slide the inner mechanism out. Make sure you pay attention to how everything came apart so you can get it back together again.
Reassemble Shifter
Soak the unit with some penetrating fluid and then wipe it down and let it air dry. Once dry, spray some grease in between all of the moving parts and then re-assemble the shifter parts the same way they came apart. Mount it back on the handlebar and click through all of the gears so the spray grease penetrates. Then replace the shift cable and adjust your derailleur as needed.
If you’ve tried all of these steps and the shifter still doesn’t work, unfortunately it’ll likely need replacing.
Related Links
Related Tools
- Park Tool HXS-1.2 Hex Wrench Set
- Park Tool Wrench Combo Set
- Park Tool SD-Set Shop Screwdrivers
- Tri-Flow Superior Lube
- Park Tool SK-3 Starter Mechanic Tool Kit
- Park Tool PK-3 Professional Tool Kit
Categories
Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum
GRX 1x crankset on frame with boost spacing?
Lastest post 4 days agoHi BikeRiders Does anyone know if a 1x GRX crankset will fit on a frame with boost spacing. I’m specifically looking at the crankset for my Cinelli Hobootleg GEO frame. Note, the GEO frame is a 29+ adventure frame. It’s quite different from the other Hobootleg models. Thanks for your help....
Read moreInner Tube Issue
Lastest post 5 days agoIn the spring I installed a new Fenix 26 x 1.90/2.125 inner tube on my year old mountain bike front wheel. It has been fine all summer until my last ride this fall. The following day after my ride both front and rear tires were flat. I thought that they might have lost air due to the cooler temperatures. But that was not the case. The tubes had failed. The tubes were inflated to the recommended 50...
Read moreHelp with Hubs
Lastest post 5 days agoHello all! New member. Am I able to fit an 11 spd hub from a disc wheel on an 11 speed wheel that uses rim brakes. Thanks for any help!!...
Read moreChain wear to 0.75 too fast
Lastest post 5 days agoHi, got a fresh new KMC chain back in August for urban commuter bike. Have lubed it twice during this time, and weekly I cover around 30 miles on the bicycle. Measured chain wear yesterday ... it's worn already until the 0,75 mark. Isn't this too early for a chain to be done??...
Read moreReplacement crank & forks needed: Achwinn Jaguar
Lastest post 1 week agoIn modding my Jaguar, I’d like to replace the crank and forks with something improved. I have been unable to locate specifications For either that will enable me to search for compatible replacements. I’d like to go to a 3 piece crank that has more ring gear options available. Any guidance on how to identify the specs of the crank and forks are greatly appreciated!...
Read moreNeed to replace a Shimano crank set (no experience)
Lastest post 4 weeks agoI just registered here to ask for help. I have this bike; https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=91408 Which I rescued from the trash. I know how to do the basics, like changing a tube or tire, but I don't have a lot of experience replacing parts, or doing much bike maintenance in general. To be honest, I'm not a hardcore cyclist. To me, the bike is mostly just a way to get pla...
Read moreShimano's gearbox patent
Lastest post 4 weeks agoSo I read about Shimano filing a patent for bicycle gearbox both for MTB and road bikes. What are your thoughts about it? They must be serious about it and definitely have the R&D capacity compared to the existing bicycle gearbox manufacturers. Looks like an ebike motor. I've always been (and probably will be) a derailleur boy though. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/ac/c6/46/60b59...
Read moreHomemade chain oils?
Lastest post 1 month agoHas anyone had any luck with homemade chain oil? im looking for some recipes, a lot include motor oil and mineral spirits any good?...
Read moreWD40 is not the best
Lastest post 1 month agoThere is a product used in major tool rooms I have been in as an engineer for 34 years. It is called Kroil. I think you would have to get it off the web though, but believe me it is the BEST I have seen..... Penetrating-Lubricating Oils Loosens Frozen Metal Parts! ... Nothing Works Like Kroil Kroil - An industry proven penetrating oil that has no equal. Used by 480 of the Fortune 500 companies! ...
Read moreGrip shift gear on kids bike difficult to turn
Lastest post 2 months agoI've read other threads and lots of info online, and I'm still stuck. My son is unable to shift the gears on his new 6-gear bike. We tried adjusting the derailer to release some tension and tinkered with adjustments here and there, and nothing seems to be working. Is there anything that we can do? I really want him to be able to shift his own gears. Going uphill today we had to stop several t...
Read moreBroken spoke - what to do?
Lastest post 2 months agoHad an accident on the way home today. Luckily no one got hurt except for my bike. Front wheel now has one broken spoke. Can I still save it somehow? Or do I need to get a new spoke and are they sold one by one just like that? Or better to visit local bike repair? broken-spoke.jpeg (Size: 162.16 KB / Downloads: 98) ...
Read moreNexus hubs
Lastest post 2 months agoHi. I don't get why would you choose nexus hub over the classic derailleur shifters? Isn't it much pain when the hub brakes? Or am I just too used to the derailleurs and shifting .. #justasking...
Read moreShimano Deore BL-T610 brake levers | broken
Lastest post 2 months agoHello, bike riders! Our community member Gabriel has shared his unpleasant experience with Deore T610 brake levers: "After 2 years of very limited use ... I'm still trying to understand why is there so many holes in such a critical place" Can anyone help by explaining the reasoning for such lever design and what might be the cause of the particular break (material quality, usage, design flaw). ...
Read moreDented top tube on a steel frame
Lastest post 2 months agoHello! I was forwarded here from from Reddit, where I asked around about this dent I caused. So long story short, I dropped this frame by accident on a sharp corner and it caused a smallish dent. I've been told that this is no concern on a steel frame, but I'd like to be 100% certain, if possible. Edit: added the picture... IMG_05102019_215231_(1080_x_1080_pixel).jpg (Size: 181.86 ...
Read moreDouble butted frame
Lastest post 2 months agoCiao. I have been looking at road bikes and most of them (unlike my Giordano) have double butted frame. Can anyone explain what are the advantages or characteristics of such bicycle frame? Like an elderly would explain it to a child ...
Read more
