Front shifter shaft breaks
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 827
Likes: 59
From: Canada
Front shifter shaft breaks
97 flhtcui
My front shifter shaft broke broke clean in two.
Not the splines, the actual shaft such that the shift levers fell off.
Seems weird to me.
Ever happen to anyone else?
My front shifter shaft broke broke clean in two.
Not the splines, the actual shaft such that the shift levers fell off.
Seems weird to me.
Ever happen to anyone else?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 827
Likes: 59
From: Canada
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,114
Likes: 51,403
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Metal fatigue is a real thing, anything can and will break particularly on a motorcycle. How it's being used comes into play too, some people stomp that shifter like they are trying to kill something, my first was due to that bike shifted hard so you couldn't be gentle with it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3,454
From: Arizona
Metal fatigue is a real thing, anything can and will break particularly on a motorcycle. How it's being used comes into play too, some people stomp that shifter like they are trying to kill something, my first was due to that bike shifted hard so you couldn't be gentle with it.
I am amazed that stomp system holds up as well as it does, especially the tranny internals. A lot of riders stomp the hell out of mechanism. I was behind a younger guy one day in red light traffic and watching him kill that shifter 100 times was mesmerizing. Best I could figure he had a brand new ex-wife.
I have a 97 and it has a zerk fitting. I could see a hard use neglected dry scenario could cause failure. The shaft metal seems pretty soft.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 827
Likes: 59
From: Canada
I tried getting used to the heel shift but after a one ride I pulled it off and cut down the shaft. Seems like a lot of extra effort to pull off a simple thing.
I am amazed that stomp system holds up as well as it does, especially the tranny internals. A lot of riders stomp the hell out of mechanism. I was behind a younger guy one day in red light traffic and watching him kill that shifter 100 times was mesmerizing. Best I could figure he had a brand new ex-wife.
I have a 97 and it has a zerk fitting. I could see a hard use neglected dry scenario could cause failure. The shaft metal seems pretty soft.
I am amazed that stomp system holds up as well as it does, especially the tranny internals. A lot of riders stomp the hell out of mechanism. I was behind a younger guy one day in red light traffic and watching him kill that shifter 100 times was mesmerizing. Best I could figure he had a brand new ex-wife.
I have a 97 and it has a zerk fitting. I could see a hard use neglected dry scenario could cause failure. The shaft metal seems pretty soft.
I think you're right about the shaft metal.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,722
Likes: 17,559
From: Driftless Area
I've come to believe the shifter shafts (both front and back by the tranny) are made from re-cycled beer cans. Replaced a few over the years.
I'm not a stomper. Last one was in the Big Horn mountains, right when I needed it most. The new (that Spring) toe lever flopped and I had to use the heel all the way into Tensleep, WY. I found a guy in town with a welder, and we tacked the front lever to the rear and the end of the spline. Been that way for over 10 years now. If I ever have to remove it, I just take it out from the back side.
I have access to the toolroom at work. Maybe I'll make one from D2 or A2 steel.
I'm not a stomper. Last one was in the Big Horn mountains, right when I needed it most. The new (that Spring) toe lever flopped and I had to use the heel all the way into Tensleep, WY. I found a guy in town with a welder, and we tacked the front lever to the rear and the end of the spline. Been that way for over 10 years now. If I ever have to remove it, I just take it out from the back side.
I have access to the toolroom at work. Maybe I'll make one from D2 or A2 steel.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3,454
From: Arizona
I've cut the shaft on a 97 and a 10 model and on the bandsaw it felt like butter soft 1018 untouched.
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