Fatboy shifting trouble
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Stage II
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee, GA
Fatboy shifting trouble
I bought my first Harley last week. I've ridden motorcycles most of my life, but not Harleys. I love it!
The bike is an 03 anniversary edition. I've ridden it every night after work. I parked it in the garage Thursday night. Then went to ride this morning. It will not up shift past 2nd gear. It feels like its trying to catch the next gear but, never does.
Have these bikes had troubles in this area? Any advice is appreciated! I want to get back on the road.
The bike is an 03 anniversary edition. I've ridden it every night after work. I parked it in the garage Thursday night. Then went to ride this morning. It will not up shift past 2nd gear. It feels like its trying to catch the next gear but, never does.
Have these bikes had troubles in this area? Any advice is appreciated! I want to get back on the road.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 1
From: Haney, British Columbia
Congrats on your first Harley... You say you just bought it last week and it's a 2003. Do you have any insight on it's maintenance history and if it say for a long time prior to you firing it up? If you like to wrench on your bike you should invest in a manual, and start with a complete fluid change and check everything out. It could just be gunked up. Let us know how it goes and what was the culprit.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Just for grins try disconnecting the shift linkage from the pedal and see if the pedal seems stiff.
Its a common problem caused by the pedal shaft getting bound up with road grime making it hard to shift normally.
Its a simple problem to fix, just pull the pedal off and clean it and the shaft it fits on.
Put it back together with a light coating of grease and you should be good to go.
If it still has the original shift linkage rod you might want to think about investing in a new one.
The ends on the factory linkage in a word, suck.
The cheapest replacement Harley makes is under $100 but is made of polished stainless steel with good Hyme ends.
The Hyme ends make shifting a lot smoother and more positive without collecting dirt the way the originals do.
This is a pic of the new polished stainless steel one installed on the bike with the original laying on the primary case next to it.
If nothing else, it looks a hell of a lot better.
Its a common problem caused by the pedal shaft getting bound up with road grime making it hard to shift normally.
Its a simple problem to fix, just pull the pedal off and clean it and the shaft it fits on.
Put it back together with a light coating of grease and you should be good to go.
If it still has the original shift linkage rod you might want to think about investing in a new one.
The ends on the factory linkage in a word, suck.
The cheapest replacement Harley makes is under $100 but is made of polished stainless steel with good Hyme ends.
The Hyme ends make shifting a lot smoother and more positive without collecting dirt the way the originals do.
This is a pic of the new polished stainless steel one installed on the bike with the original laying on the primary case next to it.
If nothing else, it looks a hell of a lot better.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
Like some have said disconnect the linkage and ck the parts could be bound up very common on older low mileage bikes
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Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee, GA
Going to local service shop
I'm going to take it into have a mechanic look at it today. The linkage seems good. Everything looks very clean. It really seems like it's inside the transmission.
Praying that its not a costly fix. Kind of blew the bank roll on thepurchasee.
Praying that its not a costly fix. Kind of blew the bank roll on thepurchasee.