I know I see guys/gals on here frequently ask what things they should carry in their tool bag and this is one that I would suggest after I just had this happen to me on Saturday... Luckily I'd been told of this "weakness" and had a spare in my tool kit, but I doubt many people carry one or even think of it based on the fact I dont recall this being discussed here, but now that I've had it happen I'll share it. It was an easy fix since I had the part, but if I hadn't I'd have been in a pickle, lol...

I was pulling into the parking lot of a shopping center and noticed my shifter felt funny. I looked down and it was fully flopped "down" at the toe end and would not "spring back up" into it's normal position like it's supposed to. I was in first gear so not a big deal at the moment, I kept cruising thru the lot for a couple seconds sizing up in my head what might be wrong. When I got tothe nextstop sign in the lot I glanced down and bingo - I could see that the shift rod had come off at the rear link where it connects to the transmission shift/arm. I rode to a corner of the lot and found a shady spot to park the bike.

Getting off the bike and looking at it I could see that the rear link had come off. When I tried to put it back in place it obviously would not stay there (it's a ball and socket sort of connection and the bushing the ball rides in wears out). I knew I had a spare shift/linkage rod cuz my dad had given me one, telling me of a breakdown he'd had with this exact part. Afellow rider in his group had come to the rescue and handed him what he needed and had him back on the road quickly.

Here's a pic of the link I'm talking about. HAVE ONE WITH YOU and it's a very quick and simple repair - all you need is7/16" and 1/2" open end wrenches and spare link and it's a 15 min fix.

Now I know there's the chrome/upgraded ones you can get from H-Dthat use an eye-bolt type link and probably eliminates this failure, but for those of you that don't have this upgraded one - this post is for YOU...




[IMG]local://upfiles/22381/BD4C742EC3A942A88DA9B896596973D1.jpg[/IMG]

 

You know it's an odd thing but when I rode a Suzuki INtruder I never had the need to carry "spare Parts" although I have laways carried tools - juts in case. Since I've had my HD though I have had to stop at the side of the road 2 times to hike along, find what fell off the bike and reapply it.and yes I do check my bike fairly often and tighten nuts an dbolts. I too had my shifter peg fall off and bounce in the center divide.

 

Be sure and use locktite on anything you attach to your bike.

 

Ever since I lost the shifter peg on my LowRider, I always carry an extra one of those.

 

I just installed the EZ Brake and the EZ Shift with all of the linkage.
They have a much better system linkage than HD.
I could tell that the stock HD conectors were crap.

 

RUB tool kit = credit card, and cell phone

 

Mine broke the same way on a PGR mission in Mesa last summer. I put it back on with acouple ofzip ties and was back on the road in less than 5 minutes. I rode it like that for 3 weeks until the new on came in with no problems.

 

Isn't it amazing thatconsidering what we pay for these bikes that that they have some crap parts on them.

 

That's so they can sell us the one that won't break for $165.00 [:@]

 

the only part im carrying is a cell phone to call the dealer since i have road-side assistance/wheel & tire coverage until like 2010