Foot Control & Shaft Issue
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3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
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From: Summerville, SC
Foot Control & Shaft Issue
I have an 05 Super Glide FXD for about 3 months. I've put about 1,000 miles on it since and it only has about 12,000 miles.
I started noticing the foot control lever loosing and would have to tighten the tension screw about once a week. I finally removed the lever and discovered the splines on the inside of the control and shaft were wearing. I carefully filed in between the damaged splines but cannot see just how well that worked - the only difference is that the filed areas are shiner. So I put the lever back on the shaft but when I get to tightening the tension screw the lever will not stay completely in place. The shaft naturally has a little play between the lever behind the chain case, so I'm making sure to hold/pull the shaft as far out as possible.
Can this be fixed? Do I need to replace the entire shaft and control lever? Am I missing something here?
I started noticing the foot control lever loosing and would have to tighten the tension screw about once a week. I finally removed the lever and discovered the splines on the inside of the control and shaft were wearing. I carefully filed in between the damaged splines but cannot see just how well that worked - the only difference is that the filed areas are shiner. So I put the lever back on the shaft but when I get to tightening the tension screw the lever will not stay completely in place. The shaft naturally has a little play between the lever behind the chain case, so I'm making sure to hold/pull the shaft as far out as possible.
Can this be fixed? Do I need to replace the entire shaft and control lever? Am I missing something here?
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Shifting Levers
So you have mid controls...right ?
There is a set screw on the bottom of the shift lever between the chain case and the engine block. It is a b*tch to get to and tighten, but that sounds like what you need to do.
If you have forward controls, there are 2 of the set screws that need to be tightened. Pretty sure it is a 7/32".
There is a set screw on the bottom of the shift lever between the chain case and the engine block. It is a b*tch to get to and tighten, but that sounds like what you need to do.
If you have forward controls, there are 2 of the set screws that need to be tightened. Pretty sure it is a 7/32".
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
Likes: 31
From: Marlton, NJ
Foot Control & Shaft Issue
How are the splines on the shift lever itself? Sounds like the bolt worked loose and now the splines are worn down.
Likely going to need to replace the shift shaft and lever if both are worn down. Might get lucky that only the shifter is worn. If you have mid controls the primary will need to come completely off for the shifter shaft. If you have forwards it's just pulling the shaft.
Good luck.
Likely going to need to replace the shift shaft and lever if both are worn down. Might get lucky that only the shifter is worn. If you have mid controls the primary will need to come completely off for the shifter shaft. If you have forwards it's just pulling the shaft.
Good luck.
Last edited by DrewNJ; Nov 4, 2015 at 06:47 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
The shift shaft is usually a harder material than the lever.
Inspect the shaft and replace the lever and you'll probably be fine, I had to replace a few levers on my old FXR, but in more than 300,000 miles, I never had to replace a shift shaft.
Inspect the shaft and replace the lever and you'll probably be fine, I had to replace a few levers on my old FXR, but in more than 300,000 miles, I never had to replace a shift shaft.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
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From: Summerville, SC
Update
So upon inspection of the underside of the shaft.. you can see the splines are really chewed up - not just what I originally thought on the topside, which matched the wearing on the inside of the lever splines. This explains why the lever was sliding out from the underside when I'd get to really tightening the tension bolt.
But you can also see on the tension bolt (which I replaced) that the threads were getting chewed up.
I've put about 600 miles on this thing since July when I got it. Is it possible this has happened that fast? I know there have been times when I've had to hit the lever a couple times while shifting to change gears but it wasn't a constant.
Lastly, I'm an amateur, so I have no business removing the primary.. kind of wish I had forward controls for convenience but I don't really get out on long rides so mid controls work and it's my first bike. So.. what should I expect to pay the shop? I saw the OEM replacement on jandp for like $42.
I appreciate everyone's input.
But you can also see on the tension bolt (which I replaced) that the threads were getting chewed up.
I've put about 600 miles on this thing since July when I got it. Is it possible this has happened that fast? I know there have been times when I've had to hit the lever a couple times while shifting to change gears but it wasn't a constant.
Lastly, I'm an amateur, so I have no business removing the primary.. kind of wish I had forward controls for convenience but I don't really get out on long rides so mid controls work and it's my first bike. So.. what should I expect to pay the shop? I saw the OEM replacement on jandp for like $42.
I appreciate everyone's input.
Last edited by riod34; Nov 4, 2015 at 08:17 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
Likes: 31
From: Marlton, NJ
If the bolt was loose to begin with its pretty easy to damage the splines on both pieces. That would be my guess as to what happened.
It's a bit of a job to pull the primary but not huge. I have no idea what a dealer would charge.
Going to forwards would eliminate having to pull the primary, if that's what your looking at.
It's a bit of a job to pull the primary but not huge. I have no idea what a dealer would charge.
Going to forwards would eliminate having to pull the primary, if that's what your looking at.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 88
From: San Quirino, Italy
So upon inspection of the underside of the shaft.. you can see the splines are really chewed up - not just what I originally thought on the topside, which matched the wearing on the inside of the lever splines. This explains why the lever was sliding out from the underside when I'd get to really tightening the tension bolt.
But you can also see on the tension bolt (which I replaced) that the threads were getting chewed up.
I've put about 600 miles on this thing since July when I got it. Is it possible this has happened that fast? I know there have been times when I've had to hit the lever a couple times while shifting to change gears but it wasn't a constant.
Lastly, I'm an amateur, so I have no business removing the primary.. kind of wish I had forward controls for convenience but I don't really get out on long rides so mid controls work and it's my first bike. So.. what should I expect to pay the shop? I saw the OEM replacement on jandp for like $42.
I appreciate everyone's input.
But you can also see on the tension bolt (which I replaced) that the threads were getting chewed up.
I've put about 600 miles on this thing since July when I got it. Is it possible this has happened that fast? I know there have been times when I've had to hit the lever a couple times while shifting to change gears but it wasn't a constant.
Lastly, I'm an amateur, so I have no business removing the primary.. kind of wish I had forward controls for convenience but I don't really get out on long rides so mid controls work and it's my first bike. So.. what should I expect to pay the shop? I saw the OEM replacement on jandp for like $42.
I appreciate everyone's input.
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