Shifter Linkage Issue...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,643
Likes: 4,880
From: Missouri City,TX
Shifter Linkage Issue...
Just curoius...have any of you had an issue with the shifter linkage coming loose and falling off the bike? I'm talkin' about the arm than bolts to the spline behind the primary...
I had this happen a few weeks ago and the bike was stuck in 2nd gear, so I was able to ride it to the Dealer (about 4 miles away) to have them fix it. Thet had the bike for 3 days, it was covered under the remaining warranty and said I was good to go.
Yesterday, I got about 2 miles down the road and it happened again...this time it was stuck in 3rd gear, so I had to call the dealer to get the bike.
I don't carry tools with me and an '09 with only 10730 miles, IMO, I shouldn't have to worry about this linkage arm coming apart.
I love the feel, ride, sound and looks of the bike but now I don't trust it...I don't want to be stranded out on some back road far from home. I don't trust the dealer to properly fix the problem, cuz their Techs suck...lol
Have any of ya'll had this same problem on a newer '09 with low miles? Or am I just having some bad luck with my ride?
I had this happen a few weeks ago and the bike was stuck in 2nd gear, so I was able to ride it to the Dealer (about 4 miles away) to have them fix it. Thet had the bike for 3 days, it was covered under the remaining warranty and said I was good to go.
Yesterday, I got about 2 miles down the road and it happened again...this time it was stuck in 3rd gear, so I had to call the dealer to get the bike.
I don't carry tools with me and an '09 with only 10730 miles, IMO, I shouldn't have to worry about this linkage arm coming apart.
I love the feel, ride, sound and looks of the bike but now I don't trust it...I don't want to be stranded out on some back road far from home. I don't trust the dealer to properly fix the problem, cuz their Techs suck...lol
Have any of ya'll had this same problem on a newer '09 with low miles? Or am I just having some bad luck with my ride?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Carry some basic tools, this is a good one for tight space. You could carry it in your vest pocket if need be.
http://www.cruztools.com/products/multitools.html
Not sure what is actually coming apart, but do it yourself and use some loctite.
http://www.cruztools.com/products/multitools.html
Not sure what is actually coming apart, but do it yourself and use some loctite.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 4
From: Augusta, GA
The shifter arm coming loose happens to all H-D models. Tightening the allen bolt isn't easy but can be done. If it was me and it had come loose so quickly twice I'd ask them to replace the shifter arm and bolt because once they come loose the teeth in the arm where it grips the shaft will wear down and can ruin the shifter shaft quickly.
When it came loose the first time they should have removed the bolt and used locktite on the threads before tightening it back down. Obviously they didn't and you had the problem again very soon. That fact is a clear sign that arm isn't going to stay tight on that shaft again and must be inspected for damage before replacing the arm.
Good luck and don't fret about you bike not being dependable, anything made by man can and will fail at some point.
When it came loose the first time they should have removed the bolt and used locktite on the threads before tightening it back down. Obviously they didn't and you had the problem again very soon. That fact is a clear sign that arm isn't going to stay tight on that shaft again and must be inspected for damage before replacing the arm.
Good luck and don't fret about you bike not being dependable, anything made by man can and will fail at some point.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,643
Likes: 4,880
From: Missouri City,TX
Thanks for the link...I would have to have a 6" to 8" extension to reach the bolt behind the primary, those tools wouldn't help.
I was wonderin' if this is a "known" issue for HD's with mid controls...or am I just havin' a problem with my bike.
I was wonderin' if this is a "known" issue for HD's with mid controls...or am I just havin' a problem with my bike.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
I've read about this last year and added the John Deer ball joints to my wish list. I have had any problems with mine yet, but when I do I'm putting these ball joints in. Front what I read they are pretty much bullet proof. Just go to John Deer if you have one, but here's the part number I wrote down.
Ball joints for shifter (John Deere dealer under part number RE13035)
Ball joints for shifter (John Deere dealer under part number RE13035)
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,643
Likes: 4,880
From: Missouri City,TX
The shifter arm coming loose happens to all H-D models. Tightening the allen bolt isn't easy but can be done. If it was me and it had come loose so quickly twice I'd ask them to replace the shifter arm and bolt because once they come loose the teeth in the arm where it grips the shaft will wear down and can ruin the shifter shaft quickly.
When it came loose the first time they should have removed the bolt and used locktite on the threads before tightening it back down. Obviously they didn't and you had the problem again very soon. That fact is a clear sign that arm isn't going to stay tight on that shaft again and must be inspected for damage before replacing the arm.
Good luck and don't fret about you bike not being dependable, anything made by man can and will fail at some point.
When it came loose the first time they should have removed the bolt and used locktite on the threads before tightening it back down. Obviously they didn't and you had the problem again very soon. That fact is a clear sign that arm isn't going to stay tight on that shaft again and must be inspected for damage before replacing the arm.
Good luck and don't fret about you bike not being dependable, anything made by man can and will fail at some point.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Missouri City,TX
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,352
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From: Augusta, GA
If you can, slide the shifter arm outward towards the inner primary and see if you can see any of the splines of the shifter shaft. If they still look sharp and well-defined you should be good-to-go with sliding it back to center shaft and loctiting the shifter arm bolt and tweaking down on it a bit.
