Shift linkage
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
Yeah, but look at where the popular kids are now. Win for me. Popularity is an empty goal and over rated
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1,845
From: Albuquerque, NM
I have. On a trip, at night, in the rain, between Cheyenne and Denver on a buddy's bike. I changed mine out the day after I got home.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,544
Likes: 6,419
From: Honah Lee
It is not a weak link. In fact, Harley's shift is determined by a lot of factors. Property oil viscosity in transmission, the shift lever set up for your leg length and a little slop in that rod since once gear pops in, if you where a tad lazy it your foot stroke (it happens, cold weather, fat wallet distractions, cell phone in left pocket jamming your jewels..ect) you want the gear slider dog engager to pull in.
Problem with hemi joints is if they are plastic insert like most from China, they will be perfect for some applications but way to tight for a Harley shifter .
If you want to doll it up, get Harley OEM stuff.
It is NOT AN UPGRADE FOR MECHANICAL. JUST BING.
And if it's too tight, or even snug, get read for miss shifts.
Problem with hemi joints is if they are plastic insert like most from China, they will be perfect for some applications but way to tight for a Harley shifter .
If you want to doll it up, get Harley OEM stuff.
It is NOT AN UPGRADE FOR MECHANICAL. JUST BING.
And if it's too tight, or even snug, get read for miss shifts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
you have some good info here. I got my hiem joints from McMaster Carr. Great source for many fasteners and many other things. Go to their site and check them out. I have used them for well over 35 years. Great industrial supply house.
Next consider stainless steel on things like fasteners, these joints or anything you plan to have on your bike. I bought some stainless rod for the shift linkage and threaded each end. Remember one end LH thread, the other RH thread. When I get fasteners, it's always stainless.
You can spend a lot of $$ for special shift linkage, but you will be amazed at how much better shifts will be with just the change in the joints.
Good Luck!
Next consider stainless steel on things like fasteners, these joints or anything you plan to have on your bike. I bought some stainless rod for the shift linkage and threaded each end. Remember one end LH thread, the other RH thread. When I get fasteners, it's always stainless.
You can spend a lot of $$ for special shift linkage, but you will be amazed at how much better shifts will be with just the change in the joints.
Good Luck!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,544
Likes: 6,419
From: Honah Lee
you have some good info here. I got my hiem joints from McMaster Carr. Great source for many fasteners and many other things. Go to their site and check them out. I have used them for well over 35 years. Great industrial supply house.
Next consider stainless steel on things like fasteners, these joints or anything you plan to have on your bike. I bought some stainless rod for the shift linkage and threaded each end. Remember one end LH thread, the other RH thread. When I get fasteners, it's always stainless.
You can spend a lot of $$ for special shift linkage, but you will be amazed at how much better shifts will be with just the change in the joints.
Good Luck!
Next consider stainless steel on things like fasteners, these joints or anything you plan to have on your bike. I bought some stainless rod for the shift linkage and threaded each end. Remember one end LH thread, the other RH thread. When I get fasteners, it's always stainless.
You can spend a lot of $$ for special shift linkage, but you will be amazed at how much better shifts will be with just the change in the joints.
Good Luck!
Final ordered a set from McMaster.. SS but in a loose grade .
My rod is both right hand ends. Only my meteric had the sence to do that. Harley figures just take a bolt loose. Of course people do that and do not loctite it and later causes problems their service center fixes.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 443
Likes: 76
From: Xenia OH
This thread might be useful to you . This is what I'm going to do , and the price is right !!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...nkage-mod.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...nkage-mod.html
Coming across it got me to thinking about why everyone changes them, weak, pure aesthetics, or both.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 443
Likes: 76
From: Xenia OH
Now, RIPSAW, I csn see a point about wanting a little play in the factory setup to allow for cushioning. I wonder if anybody's tore up a trans banging gears with a solid aftermarket shift linkage?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,544
Likes: 6,419
From: Honah Lee
What mine did was by the linkage so snug, if it did not go in and I let out clutch and it was not in gear, pulling clutch in and hitting it again did tend to want to be way out of sync in the transmission. If you drive enough, you will notice depending on lube, temperature and rpm, Harley's tend to all clunk in lower range but there is a sweet spot if you get it all right that they are smooth and quite in lower gears.
Takes a lot of practice. I still have good days and not so good. At my age, I expect some day to get on left side and fall off right side .
Takes a lot of practice. I still have good days and not so good. At my age, I expect some day to get on left side and fall off right side .
