Has anybody tried the cheap shift linkages on ebay? I'd like to put something on that looks nicer than the factory rod but I dont want to pay the stealership price. I'm just wondering if the linkages on ebay are descent or if they are cheap for a reason.

 

Some are actually better than the $130 HD linkages. I have one on my Road Glide and it is made of steel as opposed to aluminum. I have a Willie G linkage on my Road King and it stripped out. I drilled a couple holes in it and used set screws but the eBay one cost me like $24.00.

But being the idiot I am I just dropped my Road Glide off at a dealership today to have the tranny rebuilt under the ESP and am having a black $130 HD linkage put on it. Hey, I'm a slow learner....

 

The rod is not as important as what's on the ends.
You want Heims rod ends.

 

Be real careful on aftermarket Heims rod ends. I got a set off Ebay that were Chrome with delrin bearings. Nice looking, smooth but way too tight. When you look at the Harley fitting, it's has a lot of play that is actually needed or you will find yourself missing a gear shift or hang shift. I attempted to spin the bearing in my drill press to wear it in. Finally gave up. What is interesting is I contacted the seller about his design problem and he thanked me and said he would check it out and get right back. Few hours later, he told me he needed to send me a set of polished stainless steel ones to try. They looked nice and had a little play. Worked great. Probably designed for a sailboat. I tried to find seller but too long ago. I has some special aircraft SS fasteners with lock wire holes I used along with some custom SS thick spacers I made on my lathe to align it better. (metric SS washers will work. metric ones have a smaller OD in relation to the ID and look better. However that is what the hemi joint is for... I already had the fluted shift rod from a bunch of take offs I got from a friends bike I was replacing stuff on. My attachment is the first too tight hemi. (note chrome also already falling off and the SS one in a sorry night shot of a very dirty and daily used RIPSAW)

 

Our's aren't cheap, but they're made in the USA, by USA citizens, they have heim rod ends and a Lifetime Warranty.

Quite a few different looks- HERE

 

I have been using this ebay one for 2yrs, no problem. I don't see that ebay auction anymore, if I happened to find it I will repost.

 

I picked up one of these, and it works great. Not sure if this is the vendor I got it from though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHOPPER-BILL...f1c005&vxp=mtr