Loose shift linkage
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Penna
Loose shift linkage
Noticed over the weekend the shifter arm at the back of the linkage is getting a little sloppy. Friend said his did the same thing and he had to have the shaft replaced. I tried to tighten it and it was as tight as I could make it without over doing it. A little tight trying to get an allen wrench down there but did get it on and tried tightening it. I also checked about 5 bikes of my friends and none of theirs seem loose at all. Quess a call to the dealer for a warranty claim is in order.......good luck with that eh ?
Anyone else have this issue and what was the fix ?
By the way it is a 2012 Limited with all but 40,000 miles on the ticker. I do have the extended warranty
Anyone else have this issue and what was the fix ?
By the way it is a 2012 Limited with all but 40,000 miles on the ticker. I do have the extended warranty
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,466
Likes: 57,024
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
There are several threads on this. It's a common problem that can be ( sometimes ) fixed by removing the pinch bolt in the lever that attaches to the shift rod coming out of the trans, inserting a new bolt with some lubricant on it and using it to clean out the threads. Then clean out the crud with some brake clean. Then insert another NEW bolt with some loc tite on it and torque. This works and 've had success doing it on several scooters.
There's also an option called 'betterlever" but it's pricey.
There's also an option called 'betterlever" but it's pricey.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Penna
Larry, great suggestion. Thanks. Is this something I should not delay getting fixed or not that big of deal right away. I have a small trip planned for this weekend and wondering whether I should cancel it or not.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,466
Likes: 57,024
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
No, this is the vertical shift linkage at the trans input shaft. Loose all the time not just at start up.
Larry, great suggestion. Thanks. Is this something I should not delay getting fixed or not that big of deal right away. I have a small trip planned for this weekend and wondering whether I should cancel it or not.
Larry, great suggestion. Thanks. Is this something I should not delay getting fixed or not that big of deal right away. I have a small trip planned for this weekend and wondering whether I should cancel it or not.
i did the fix Uncle Larry is talking about, only difference is I used a grade 8 standard bolt so I could use a socket on it instead of a allen wrench, plus some blue locktight. everything tight so far.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 264
From: Fresno Ca
Don't wait to fix it. That arm can fall off the shaft and it's not fun to try to put back on on the side of the road
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: On. Canada
So, even though the bolt is tight now (first thing i checked after noticing some slop with the linkage moving), a new bolt will snug it up and stop that slack?
Last edited by Pete6114; Sep 17, 2015 at 09:29 AM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
Guess i'll give that grade 8 bolt a try first, before figuring out how i could get that betterleaver installed without removing the primary. Looked at it at their website and cant see how it can be installed if cutting the old one from underneath is necessary to get it off. If it would work, it's worth the 65 bucks to me.