Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

An old cure for shifter shaft problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 21, 2017 | 10:43 AM
  #11  
Veekness's Avatar
Veekness
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Default

I'll guess that HD omitted the Zerk fitting because the Real Bikers thought it was unsightly.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2017 | 04:30 PM
  #12  
paid4c4's Avatar
paid4c4
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 822
Likes: 61
From: Northern Kentucky
Default

Thanks for posting the link to the pingel for those who aren't able or prepared to do mechanical work. I considered the Pingel but opted for the do it yourself approach for under 4 bux.
Bill
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2017 | 10:07 PM
  #13  
penmaker's Avatar
penmaker
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 585
From: Arkansas
Default

Originally Posted by btsom
Was told that years ago the factory put a grease fitting in that location. Guess they needed to save 60 cents on each bike.
My '99 Ultra had one
 
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2017 | 10:52 AM
  #14  
hog-doc's Avatar
hog-doc
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
Default

Originally Posted by Veekness
I'll guess that HD omitted the Zerk fitting because the Real Bikers thought it was unsightly.
It wasnt the real bikers that thought it unsightly, but tbe modern "biker" that couldn't stand the sight of a little grease that might get on thier white sneakers or $100.00 "jeans"!
 
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2017 | 12:13 PM
  #15  
Veekness's Avatar
Veekness
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Default

Originally Posted by hog-doc
It wasnt the real bikers that thought it unsightly, but tbe modern "biker" that couldn't stand the sight of a little grease that might get on thier white sneakers or $100.00 "jeans"!
...and then there's that, of course!!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2017 | 07:13 PM
  #16  
Inop's Avatar
Inop
Stellar HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 732
From: Out west
Default

$100 bucks holy crap......and how much for shipping? Good God pingle.
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2017 | 09:13 AM
  #17  
Talldog's Avatar
Talldog
Outstanding HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by paid4c4
While doing routine maintenance I decided to add a zerk fitting to the Shift Shaft. This allows for routine lubrication of the shaft which should limit wear and make for smoother shifts. I've already converted the OEM shift rod to one with Helms fittings. The zerk fitting is a self tapping fitting and requires the drilling of an 11/32 hole into the outside tunnel the shift shaft rides in. I use a marine grease which displaces water and should provide good lubrication for the shaft. The shaft showed signs of wear in only 4000 miles. The zerk fitting was sixty cents.
While doing this I decided to change out my shift rod. I used all thread rod from my local hardware story along with Helms fitting for the ends of the rod. Total cost about 8 dollars. I then covered the all thread with a piece of stainless tubing from the plumbing department for 2.50.
Bill



Thanks for the idea, was my rainy day project yesterday!
 
Attached Thumbnails An old cure for shifter shaft problems-img_0054.jpg  
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2017 | 11:33 AM
  #18  
cookie_62's Avatar
cookie_62
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 68
Likes: 6
From: Tuscola, Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by Talldog
Thanks for the idea, was my rainy day project yesterday!
Did you use white lithium grease?
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 28, 2017 | 06:18 PM
  #19  
dgoodbmw's Avatar
dgoodbmw
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 445
Likes: 33
From: irwin pa.
Default wrong drll size

Not trying to steal this post, but i went to look at drill bits and grease fitting threads and am pretty sure that an 11/32 bit is way too big. I am thinking a 7/32 would be closer. Anyone thinking about this better take a better look at what size hole he should drill. That could be a costly mistake.
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2017 | 08:24 PM
  #20  
paid4c4's Avatar
paid4c4
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 822
Likes: 61
From: Northern Kentucky
Default

Originally Posted by Talldog
Thanks for the idea, was my rainy day project yesterday!
Looks Great!
Bill
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:56 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE