When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have been ask for more information and a better photo regarding adding a grease or zerk fitting for touring bike shifter shafts. Grease fittings were OEM on HD's, I really don't know when HD stopped installing them at the factory. I bought a package of thread forming Zerk fittings from Ebay (see the link). The zerk fittings are self tapping so you simply drill the appropriate size hole and start the zerk fitting which has tapered treads and will cut it's own treads. Tighten the fitting and feel inside the shifter shaft housing to make sure the fitting isn't going to touch the shaft. Replace the shaft and linkage and grease the fitting until grease comes out of both sides of the shaft housing. Work the shifter a few times and clean up the excess grease from around both ends of the shaft.
Bill http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-28-Threa...MAAOSwa39UtsZk
I'm not the OP, but considering I have replaced 2 shafts and sets of bushings on my 14, I would say it is done to prolong the life of the bushings and shaft before it starts rattling like crazy.
I'm not the OP, but considering I have replaced 2 shafts and sets of bushings on my 14, I would say it is done to prolong the life of the bushings and shaft before it starts rattling like crazy.
You hit the nail on the head. It's obvious metal inside of metal is going to wear. When I installed my zerk fitting the bike had three thousand miles and the shaft was already showing scuffing and galling. There is also a manufactured shaft with a built in grease fitting called a Pingle Shaft. Being poor/cheap I opted for the dIY at 3 dollars. http://www.jpcycles.com/product/540-...j4MaAtZt8P8HAQ
Bill
So you guys feel that you need to periodically squirt some grease in there? You don't think taking the shaft out, greasing it, and putting it back in is enough?
So you guys feel that you need to periodically squirt some grease in there? You don't think taking the shaft out, greasing it, and putting it back in is enough?
As stated earlier ... HD use to provide a grease fitting on the shift shaft ... Obviously the cheapest way to lube it would be to remove it and lube it then go through the whole ordeal again the next time ... However, wouldn't it be wiser ( and much less time consuming ) to put the grease fitting in while removing the shaft the first time and be done with it? An ounce of prevention ( and a little bit of time ) is/would be worth a pound of cure.
Well, I confess...I do like the Pingel shift shaft. It's spiffy, and I like spiffy. What I don't like is a C note for spiffy. Although, once I get done with the blackout and other stuff I wanna do on my Street Glide, I may get one. Until then, periodically removing the stock shaft, inspecting it, inspecting the bushings inside, and making certain everything is nice and tight works fine.
And to separate myself from the trendy ones out here, I'm not doing the 'blackout' cuz it's a cool look! I got an outstanding deal on a 2011 FLHX that was mechanically sound, low miles, but had lived next to the ocean all it's life and had a lot of rust and corrosion on things. I can paint black a LOT cheaper than I can rechrome or replace parts! And when I'm done, I can be all like trendy and call it 'badass' too! Mmm...yeah.
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
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.
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.
Grease Fitting for Shifter Shaft
