Sluggish shifter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: SE NC
Sluggish shifter
has anyone experienced a problem with their shifter?? seems like some mornings after warm-up when I go down the road a bit to the first stop light, I cant get the tranny to down shift. I checked the shifter this AM and it doesn't seem to move freely, its kinda like there's some friction/resistance on the shaft. I have an "06 superglide w/only 12k miles.I noticed a "seep" around the seal where the rod goes into the xmission. Could dirt/grime be binding on the shaft and putting that "feeling" on the shift lever?? I know it didn't used to have the freeplay my dirt bikes do, but it does feel like there is resistance on the lever and linkage.
Just wondered if any one else has experienced this, it is under warranty, but I just got my bike out of the shop for a shorted ignition switch....
Any ideas from all you fart smellers...er, I mean smart fellers
Just wondered if any one else has experienced this, it is under warranty, but I just got my bike out of the shop for a shorted ignition switch....
Any ideas from all you fart smellers...er, I mean smart fellers
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 188
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RE: Sluggish shifter
I think I may have a similar problem.
I find that my bike doesn’t like me downshifting through multiple gears with one pull of the clutch. Lets say Im traveling in 4th and traffic comes to a sudden stop. In my mind I want to pull in the clutch, hold it in and down shift out of 4th into 3rd then 2nd then 1st all while holding the clutch in. But, what Ive found is it will down shift into 3rd and MAYBE 2nd but not always and it will never go from 4th all the way to 1st with one pull of the clutch. So I end up stopping in either 3rd or 2nd trying to rock the bike back and forth to get it to down shift which it doesn’t always do. In fact, if I find myself in this situation Im almost always guaranteed to have to take off in 2nd or 3rd gear which eats up my clutch.
Ive brought this up to the dealer and they just look at me like Im weird and tell me I need to learn to ride. : )
So, I have to make an effort each time I come to a stop to down shift, let clutch out, down shift, let clutch out, down shift, let clutch out, etc. etc. No down shifting through multiple gears with one pull of the clutch. Which, in my opinion, I should be able to do. I just blame it on it being a Harley and now I make better plans while riding so that I don’t have to make quick stops.
As of yet though, I haven’t heard or read anything telling me that this is either usual or Unusual. Oh well, I just ride on. : )
I find that my bike doesn’t like me downshifting through multiple gears with one pull of the clutch. Lets say Im traveling in 4th and traffic comes to a sudden stop. In my mind I want to pull in the clutch, hold it in and down shift out of 4th into 3rd then 2nd then 1st all while holding the clutch in. But, what Ive found is it will down shift into 3rd and MAYBE 2nd but not always and it will never go from 4th all the way to 1st with one pull of the clutch. So I end up stopping in either 3rd or 2nd trying to rock the bike back and forth to get it to down shift which it doesn’t always do. In fact, if I find myself in this situation Im almost always guaranteed to have to take off in 2nd or 3rd gear which eats up my clutch.
Ive brought this up to the dealer and they just look at me like Im weird and tell me I need to learn to ride. : )
So, I have to make an effort each time I come to a stop to down shift, let clutch out, down shift, let clutch out, down shift, let clutch out, etc. etc. No down shifting through multiple gears with one pull of the clutch. Which, in my opinion, I should be able to do. I just blame it on it being a Harley and now I make better plans while riding so that I don’t have to make quick stops.
As of yet though, I haven’t heard or read anything telling me that this is either usual or Unusual. Oh well, I just ride on. : )
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,349
Likes: 3,480
From: SE NC
RE: Sluggish shifter
no, not yet, working and to lazy at the moment. I will check that out the first chance I get. I was just wondering if anyone else ran into this. I'll keep an eye on it, and if it keeps up, I'll go to the dealer. Just didn't want to lose my bike for another week, or longer if they have to order a part.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 188
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RE: Sluggish shifter
Glebo, does your prob sound anything like mine? Where you cant down shift several gears at a time or will yours just not down shift at all?
The first thing I plan on checking when I get my manual is the shift return mechanism. Because it’s the lack of the second click of the shifter returning to its normal position that I know when its messing up.
Dog06, I sure don’t think that’s the reason but I’ll be checking that out as well, when I get my manual. : )
The first thing I plan on checking when I get my manual is the shift return mechanism. Because it’s the lack of the second click of the shifter returning to its normal position that I know when its messing up.
Dog06, I sure don’t think that’s the reason but I’ll be checking that out as well, when I get my manual. : )
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Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,349
Likes: 3,480
From: SE NC
RE: Sluggish shifter
not until today, I had to do a rapid stop for a red light this AM and couldn't get it to go through the gears, (from 4th to 1st) with one pull of the clutch. I'm gonna keep an eye on it though. I was at the dealer yesterday and asked them if any one else has come in for what I'm talking about, but they said nobody so far has come in for anything similar. he also checked my bike for any open recalls, none.
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RE: Sluggish shifter
When in 4th and higher gear and coming to a full stop without downshifting, I find myself in the same situation. It doesnt go to 1st. So, what I do is while Im sitting there in second gear I let out the clutch a bit while revving it up. At this point it grabs and I'm able to downshift to first while only moving a couple of inches forward. No biggie.
