Kraus EZ shift
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,922
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,847
Likes: 999
From: Southern Virginia
As far as the hydraulic vs. clutch cable gig I have always preferred cable over hydraulic. I've had two bikes with hydraulic clutches and hated both of them. Engagement band was too dang narrow. I really liked it when Harley went back to cable clutches. Had a return hole get plugged in a clutch master cylinder one time and caused a heck of a problem. Also had a slave cylinder get gunked up and caused a bunch of grief. None of that is an issue with a cable clutch.
That being said, when Harley did go back to the cable clutch they jacklegged it. Instead of a cable going from the lever to the tranny, they used two cables joined together. It just ain't as smooth as the single cable bikes. It's not terrible, but it's pretty jerky unless you keep the cable pretty tight, which I don't like. I like a little slack in my clutch levers.
Leave it to Harley to screw up something so simple and time tested.
That being said, when Harley did go back to the cable clutch they jacklegged it. Instead of a cable going from the lever to the tranny, they used two cables joined together. It just ain't as smooth as the single cable bikes. It's not terrible, but it's pretty jerky unless you keep the cable pretty tight, which I don't like. I like a little slack in my clutch levers.
Leave it to Harley to screw up something so simple and time tested.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,680
Likes: 3,972
From: Near Yosemite
As far as the hydraulic vs. clutch cable gig I have always preferred cable over hydraulic. I've had two bikes with hydraulic clutches and hated both of them. Engagement band was too dang narrow. I really liked it when Harley went back to cable clutches. Had a return hole get plugged in a clutch master cylinder one time and caused a heck of a problem. Also had a slave cylinder get gunked up and caused a bunch of grief. None of that is an issue with a cable clutch.
That being said, when Harley did go back to the cable clutch they jacklegged it. Instead of a cable going from the lever to the tranny, they used two cables joined together. It just ain't as smooth as the single cable bikes. It's not terrible, but it's pretty jerky unless you keep the cable pretty tight, which I don't like. I like a little slack in my clutch levers.
Leave it to Harley to screw up something so simple and time tested.
That being said, when Harley did go back to the cable clutch they jacklegged it. Instead of a cable going from the lever to the tranny, they used two cables joined together. It just ain't as smooth as the single cable bikes. It's not terrible, but it's pretty jerky unless you keep the cable pretty tight, which I don't like. I like a little slack in my clutch levers.
Leave it to Harley to screw up something so simple and time tested.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 539
Likes: 284
From: Coldstream B.C. CA.
You're going the wrong direction when you make the pivot point closer to the shifter shaft. Isn't that why the aftermarket arm is longer in the first place?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 199
Likes: 80
From: Innerkip, Ontario
The Thrashin EZ Shift Front Arm is shorter and makes shifting approximately 25% easier (according to Thrashin's claims...see their video about the reduction in torque required to shift)...
Think of why the hill climbing front sprockets on a mountain bike are smaller...this makes it easier to pedal uphill.
Conversely, the larger rear sprockets are the lower gears...which is why the Kraus EZ shifter is an extension to lengthen the rear arm.
Last edited by Cold Forged; Nov 27, 2025 at 08:36 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 156
Likes: 134
From: Na Hampsha/Upstate SC
I have written about this somewhere else, I dont recall. My 06 Ultra Classic cant find N when at operating temp to save my life. I had my tech re- readjust it and called it fixed. If the bikes cold or off, I can get it into neutral ok. Not hot. Fluid level checks out, etc. Heel/toe shifter checks out.
Im likely selling it anyway, not for this reason in particular, but itd be nice if it did operate properly. One of those dohickeys would seem to be a legit fix.
More reviews?
Im likely selling it anyway, not for this reason in particular, but itd be nice if it did operate properly. One of those dohickeys would seem to be a legit fix.
More reviews?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
I have written about this somewhere else, I dont recall. My 06 Ultra Classic cant find N when at operating temp to save my life. I had my tech re- readjust it and called it fixed. If the bikes cold or off, I can get it into neutral ok. Not hot. Fluid level checks out, etc. Heel/toe shifter checks out.
Im likely selling it anyway, not for this reason in particular, but itd be nice if it did operate properly. One of those dohickeys would seem to be a legit fix.
More reviews?
Im likely selling it anyway, not for this reason in particular, but itd be nice if it did operate properly. One of those dohickeys would seem to be a legit fix.
More reviews?
It will sometimes lurch forward a bit if you try to start it with just the clutch pulled in and in gear so I don't do that.
I never shift to neutral on a ride - city stop and go or a long ride. Im in first at a traffic light.
This seems to be the exception as I read a lot of people shift into neutral during their rides - stops or I don't know what reason.
So I wouldn't even know if mine was hard to shift into neutral when it's hot.
Other than when I bought my bike and was going through the receipts of the previous owner there was a lot of "owner reports it hard to find neutral" notation in every oil change he had.
So probably so.
Riding a different way than he did I've never noticed it.
But I have noticed it's even easier to find neutral with my newly installed heel shifter.
I have an 08 Ultra Classic.
Last edited by Robertbc3141; Nov 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 466
Likes: 206
From: Long Island,NY
Had this same issue with my previous RK ,a 2008. Couldn't find neutral . Don't know if my new to me,2022 will be the same,just got it and haven't ridden it but off the trailer. I love Harleys but compared to the Triumph Bonneville I had,the shifting is like a farm tractor.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 539
Likes: 284
From: Coldstream B.C. CA.
There are two different approaches to improving shifting: Shorter Front Arm and Longer Rear Arm.
The Thrashin EZ Shift Front Arm is shorter and makes shifting approximately 25% easier (according to Thrashin's claims...see their video about the reduction in torque required to shift)...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD1mQUo8LOE
Think of why the hill climbing front sprockets on a mountain bike are smaller...this makes it easier to pedal uphill.
Conversely, the larger rear sprockets are the lower gears...which is why the Kraus EZ shifter is an extension to lengthen the rear arm.
The Thrashin EZ Shift Front Arm is shorter and makes shifting approximately 25% easier (according to Thrashin's claims...see their video about the reduction in torque required to shift)...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD1mQUo8LOE
Think of why the hill climbing front sprockets on a mountain bike are smaller...this makes it easier to pedal uphill.
Conversely, the larger rear sprockets are the lower gears...which is why the Kraus EZ shifter is an extension to lengthen the rear arm.
This makes more sense
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,922
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
I have written about this somewhere else, I dont recall. My 06 Ultra Classic cant find N when at operating temp to save my life. I had my tech re- readjust it and called it fixed. If the bikes cold or off, I can get it into neutral ok. Not hot. Fluid level checks out, etc. Heel/toe shifter checks out.
Im likely selling it anyway, not for this reason in particular, but itd be nice if it did operate properly. One of those dohickeys would seem to be a legit fix.
More reviews?
Im likely selling it anyway, not for this reason in particular, but itd be nice if it did operate properly. One of those dohickeys would seem to be a legit fix.
More reviews?