Issues with downshifting
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 587
From: Alorton, Illinois
Take the shift linkage off. Shaft should move freely. The lever itself has a pinch bolt and the shaft it rides on has a relief. Loosen pinch bolt and slide lever outward.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 614
Likes: 231
From: Hendeson, NV
Same Issue
Don't fall for the rider error non-sense. First, I would take it to the dealer and have it checked out. Second, if everything is working OK on your bike, it may be a fitment issue. My foot is about the same length as a women's size 8. The mid-controls are far enough back that the heel on my boot when up against the footpeg didn't allow me to get the ball of my foot under the shifter enough or get the ball of my foot forward enough to get positive down pressure on the rear brake lever. I changed my rider footpegs to the Dominion Rider footpegs so my foot can rest on top of the footpeg (kinda like a floor board) and position my foot further forward on both sides.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...egs/p/50500871
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...egs/p/50500871
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
Don't fall for the rider error non-sense. First, I would take it to the dealer and have it checked out. Second, if everything is working OK on your bike, it may be a fitment issue. My foot is about the same length as a women's size 8. The mid-controls are far enough back that the heel on my boot when up against the footpeg didn't allow me to get the ball of my foot under the shifter enough or get the ball of my foot forward enough to get positive down pressure on the rear brake lever. I changed my rider footpegs to the Dominion Rider footpegs so my foot can rest on top of the footpeg (kinda like a floor board) and position my foot further forward on both sides.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...egs/p/50500871
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...egs/p/50500871
Novice
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 4
From: UK
I have had a similar issue on my FXBB
1st time was something to do with bushings (can't remember exactly what!) - was at around 500 miles. Dealer fixed under warranty.
2nd time was due to road gunk fouling things up. Dealer cleaned it up for me (for free, which was unexpected). This was around 4k miles though.
1st time was something to do with bushings (can't remember exactly what!) - was at around 500 miles. Dealer fixed under warranty.
2nd time was due to road gunk fouling things up. Dealer cleaned it up for me (for free, which was unexpected). This was around 4k miles though.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 848
Likes: 408
From: In the mountains
I took mine to dealer under warranty, tech couldn't duplicate the problem road testing, unless he had his foot on the shifter partially. I didn't believe him, so they put the bike on the dyno and showed me.
Took it to the dealer and they found the issue. The shift linkage was binding and causing the shifter arm to not be able to reset itself. They have since ordered a new one for me and it should be here this week.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 848
Likes: 408
From: In the mountains
Did the dealer indicate where it was binding? On the inner primary or at the outer cover where the shift lever attaches?
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The actual adjustable shift linkage. One of the spherical mounts wasnt allowing for proper movement.
