loose shift lever
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: cornish me
loose shift lever
I've got a loose shift lever . It's a fairly new lever and has all ready seen
JB Weld and been tightened once . But, it's loose again . I seem to remember some shifter shaft spline wear back when the lever was replaced. Anyone have any thoughts on snugging it back down without having to disassemble . Very tight quarters.
JB Weld and been tightened once . But, it's loose again . I seem to remember some shifter shaft spline wear back when the lever was replaced. Anyone have any thoughts on snugging it back down without having to disassemble . Very tight quarters.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
You JB welded it????????????? whatever.
Mine has been like that since new. I even replaced the lever one time and it went back to being loose. I have tightened it and it is ok for a short time then loose again. Now I just let it go.
Mine has been like that since new. I even replaced the lever one time and it went back to being loose. I have tightened it and it is ok for a short time then loose again. Now I just let it go.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 2,574
From: NC USA
I ran mine like this for about 90,000 miles and liked it so well, I didn't even change it when I rebuilt my transmission. The bolt broke off, vibrated out and left 1/4" of the threads in the bottom of the lever. Here's what I did:
Remove the allen head bolt and get one longer. The threads aren't any longer on the next length of bolt and it has a blank shoulder so using a die, cut as much extra thread onto the new bolt as possible. Then get a grade 8 nut and thread it onto the new bolt as far as it can go without getting in a bind. Install the new bolt into the lever until it reaches all the way into the threads of the lever or until the nut touches. Then use a deep socket to tighten the jam nut to 25-30 ft/lb. That will put a LOT more pinch on the lever than the allen head will alone. I won't guarantee it'll fix all of them because of shaft spline or lever spline wear, but that will hold it if anything will...
Remove the allen head bolt and get one longer. The threads aren't any longer on the next length of bolt and it has a blank shoulder so using a die, cut as much extra thread onto the new bolt as possible. Then get a grade 8 nut and thread it onto the new bolt as far as it can go without getting in a bind. Install the new bolt into the lever until it reaches all the way into the threads of the lever or until the nut touches. Then use a deep socket to tighten the jam nut to 25-30 ft/lb. That will put a LOT more pinch on the lever than the allen head will alone. I won't guarantee it'll fix all of them because of shaft spline or lever spline wear, but that will hold it if anything will...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
You don't mention what bike this is. If the bushing on the shfter is worn, that can cause the shifter to loosen up and/or wear. My bike had a little web piece of crap for a shifter bushing in the inner primary. My shifter was coming loose at most inopportune times, necessitating a stop and some nylon ties to get me home. I replaced the POS bushing with one that goes the whole length of the inner primary sleeve that I made from Delrin. It tightened the whole shifter up a lot and I don't have the loose shifter anymore.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
I hope the long bolt & nut trick works for you. If both pieces are worn and you replace just one part of it, it will begin wearing from the very first time you shift.
I tried that long bolt & nut deal on mine and it didn't improve matters one bit. I just sucked it up and replaced the shifter shaft and lever. No worries. A little poorer, but no worries.
I tried that long bolt & nut deal on mine and it didn't improve matters one bit. I just sucked it up and replaced the shifter shaft and lever. No worries. A little poorer, but no worries.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Good morning All,
I've got an 05 RG with only 24k, I've with a loose rear shift lever too. Discovered the rear shifter loose again so I put more blue lock tight and cranked it down and striped the darn Allen head socket. Figured it should stay tight for a while but its only been two weeks and when I replaced the shift linage's ball joints with HEIM joints and found it freaking loose again. Any idea how many hours they'll charge to replace that rear lever?
I've got an 05 RG with only 24k, I've with a loose rear shift lever too. Discovered the rear shifter loose again so I put more blue lock tight and cranked it down and striped the darn Allen head socket. Figured it should stay tight for a while but its only been two weeks and when I replaced the shift linage's ball joints with HEIM joints and found it freaking loose again. Any idea how many hours they'll charge to replace that rear lever?
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
I've got a loose shift lever . It's a fairly new lever and has all ready seen
JB Weld and been tightened once . But, it's loose again . I seem to remember some shifter shaft spline wear back when the lever was replaced. Anyone have any thoughts on snugging it back down without having to disassemble . Very tight quarters.
JB Weld and been tightened once . But, it's loose again . I seem to remember some shifter shaft spline wear back when the lever was replaced. Anyone have any thoughts on snugging it back down without having to disassemble . Very tight quarters.
I then spliced the tube legthways and fitted it over the top of the Lever & shifter end piece .It is only a temporary (long term temporary!) measure but it stops the top of the arm from rubbing against the back of the Primary Casing and gives it a bit of leverage to keep it from rattling. Difficult to explain what Ive done but will take pic. and get back to you. Bungo.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
I've got a loose shift lever . It's a fairly new lever and has all ready seen
JB Weld and been tightened once . But, it's loose again . I seem to remember some shifter shaft spline wear back when the lever was replaced. Anyone have any thoughts on snugging it back down without having to disassemble . Very tight quarters.
JB Weld and been tightened once . But, it's loose again . I seem to remember some shifter shaft spline wear back when the lever was replaced. Anyone have any thoughts on snugging it back down without having to disassemble . Very tight quarters.
