shifter won't return to neutral position
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Texas
shifter won't return to neutral position
Posted this in tranny tech but I'm not getting a whole lot of hits. Thought I'd try here. Thanks all.
2007 Heritage, stock heel toe shifter installed.
The shifter isn't returning to normal after shifting up or down. Intermittently it goes back to neutral position after releasing the clutch lever but not every time and it seemed like that was working less and less. If I move the shifter by hand after it's stuck it pops back into place so it seems like something inside the case is holding it.
Just started today after a light rain. It's been ridden in countless rainstorms before this and it wasn't even moving this time. I did a quick spray on spray off wash with bike brite yesterday but I've done that countless times too, rinsed it well. Last time I washed it was with lemon pledge and when I rinsed her before the bike brite this time white stuff was coming off, assuming something in the pledge.
Any ideas on cause and/or fix? Thanks as always
2007 Heritage, stock heel toe shifter installed.
The shifter isn't returning to normal after shifting up or down. Intermittently it goes back to neutral position after releasing the clutch lever but not every time and it seemed like that was working less and less. If I move the shifter by hand after it's stuck it pops back into place so it seems like something inside the case is holding it.
Just started today after a light rain. It's been ridden in countless rainstorms before this and it wasn't even moving this time. I did a quick spray on spray off wash with bike brite yesterday but I've done that countless times too, rinsed it well. Last time I washed it was with lemon pledge and when I rinsed her before the bike brite this time white stuff was coming off, assuming something in the pledge.
Any ideas on cause and/or fix? Thanks as always
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
I had the same problem on my 2002 Softail Night Train. I took it to a local H-D dealer. They took the shifter link/lever apart, and smoothed something down there, and it was fixed. They charged me 1 hour of labor.
Good luck!!!
Good luck!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 681
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, mi.
Take the shifter arm off the post, and the two rubber washers. Claen and grease. You cant spray lube in there cause of the rubbers, but the rain and rust make it stick. Worked for me, but it might be something else for you. Took 25 min and a dob of grease.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,984
Likes: 8
+1, you need to clean the shaft. it is a common problem.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Or are you talking about the shifter levers themselves or the lever attaching the shift levers to the linkage?
Last edited by Kski; May 19, 2010 at 08:57 PM. Reason: I confused myself when I typed that last bit.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 100
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From: baltimore,md
shifter return
SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME . Remove both Toe and Heel Levers and the Shift lever. You'll want to also remove the nut that holds the shift linkage the the shift lever. Take care not to lose the rubber orings. Clean the lever shaft and Guide bushing and Lubricate with grease, I like wheel bearing grease. When reinstalling lever and Heel/Toe levers do not press them to tightly alllow a little back and fourth slop. If there is no slop you'll get them same problem on a hot sunny day if the sun hits the controls for a long enough time. Had this happen to me a while back. I set mine on my standard to have a little slop so as to allow for expansion on hot sunny days. This should take care of yuor problem. Happy Trails!
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 283
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My 06 did it and they did the very same thing, didn't take but 10-15 Minutes for them to get my Bike back to me. He knew what it was as soon as I described it.