Shifter link broke...

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Sep 9, 2015 | 02:14 PM

#11

harkon

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 565

Likes: 152

From: Calgary, Alberta

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhuff

Not sure how well this pic shows it.... I guess it doesn't really, but the bottom right of the pic, where the main bolt goes thru....on the other side of the linkage (bottom joint).....am I missing a part? For the life of me, can't figure out if I'm missing something or I just can't get the clamp opened up to snug on the spindles....regardless, bike goes in next Wednesday for a speaker that blew and will have them fix it. Will likely be ordering the heim joints tho ASAP.

I had the heel / toe shift levers coming loose off of the splines regularly. Looking at it, it seems impossible that with the relief in the splined shaft and the bolt shouldering in that relief it would be impossible for the lever to even come off, but it most certainly would. I ended up putting blue locktite on the splines as well. On a trip a month ago, in the middle of nowhere, the inboard lever came off. The bolt was still tight in the lever part, but it simply worked it's way off the end of the shaft. Good thing I had my feet on the boards at the time and not on the highway pegs, I might have lost parts. I put blue locktite on the splines and bolt and reinstalled and it's good now as well. I don't know if it's the vibes or what, but mine eventually would just work their way off the end of the splines. I thought I was the only one, but it looks like I'm not.

Sep 10, 2015 | 06:38 AM

#12

patrick74

Tourer

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 251

Likes: 40

From: Silver City, NM

Just had mine replaced. The spline has a lot of groves which makes the metal thinner... When looking at the part they took of there was a flat spot wore off on both the shaft and the lever.

Sep 10, 2015 | 08:12 AM

#13

hardheaded

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 11,198

Likes: 3,028

From: St.Louis Mo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhuff

you need to remove the bolt completely before installing the shift arm. holding the back of the shifter shaft install the arm all the way and then put the bolt in. while you have it off inspect for any damage.

Sep 10, 2015 | 10:43 AM

#14

Leftcoaster

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 3,328

Likes: 15

From: Pacific Northwest

Correct me if I'm wrong but it appears that you've lost the inside bolt that holds the inner arm to the splined shaft.
I'm not referring to the toe/heel arms, but the arm that's closest to the front cylinder that connects to the linkage that goes back to the transmission.
Replace that bolt and you're golden. A little blue Loctite will also help.

Sep 10, 2015 | 10:50 PM

#15

sn95bullitt

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 1,013

Likes: 32

From: Elk Grove, California

Mine snaped in half on a freeway interchange. Rode 30 miles in 3rd gear to Harley and bought a new one. It was a great beginning to my trip to Santa Cruz.

Sep 11, 2015 | 11:07 AM

#16

rhuff

Thread Starter

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 3,903

Likes: 1,122

From: 48.067222,12.863611

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leftcoaster

What I was thinking. Just didn't know what or if anything was there. Will get the "warranty" fix and dealer and then figure out how to make the whole deal stay put. And get a service annual for this bike too.

Sep 11, 2015 | 01:57 PM

#17

Cpl Ed

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 288

Likes: 25

From: Tumwater, Wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by kryingame

On my 2012, my shifter link broke just as I was leaving the NC mountains. Popped right off and I was not able to repair it. I had to get a tow. The stock ones are made of aluminum. Why won't Harley make them chrome, especially since this is a constant known problem.

Just a thought..... how silly would it be if someone just drilled and tapped a small hole on the end of the shaft. Then screw a small washer onto the end. (Washer slightly larger diameter than the shaft)? Probably 'overkill' but would keep arms from falling completely off. Oh well, probably a dumb idea.

Last edited by Cpl Ed; Oct 18, 2015 at 01:58 PM.