Shift rod linkage.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Shift rod linkage.
I am new to Harley' s so I am not sure if this is normal. I have a 2003 Road King cvo I bought last month. Is the shift rod linkage always supposed to be very loose? I took it to the dealer where I bought it, spent all day there and they tightened down the bolt on the arm to the shaft. That worked for a couple of days and then it was really loose again. It seemed like it was worse than before. I could reach down and slide the arm back and forth off the shaft. So I had to take it back up to Harley and spend all day there again. They said the arm that connects to the shaft and shift linkage was stipped. So they had to pull off my primary and replace the arm. Again it seemed really tight and like they finally fixed it. I rode yesterday from Seattle to Portland and back and when I got back home last night I realized it was loose again. What the ****?? So now I'm coming to the experts bc i have no clue. Is it always supposed to be loose? Is there a way to permanently tighten it? I don't want to be out riding and it breaks or strip's it again or even more. I'm trying to get ahead of the problem before causing more damage. I am hoping you guys can help or give some advice.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Waddup Dawg?! I believe it's the stock rod with the ball joints and rubber boots. Since I'm new to Harley's. I don't really kmow what is stock or not. I could send you a pic.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Vermont
Ahh I see you have the SE road king which should have the heim joints as standard. A pic would help. There’s also bushings in the primary where the shaft goes through the primary up from that might be walled out from wobbling around.
Last edited by dawg; Feb 11, 2018 at 01:06 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Heart of Georgia
It’s a wear item. It isn’t supposed to be loose. Over time the shift linkage wears out because the metal it’s made from is softer than the hardened steel the shift shaft is made from. They do that so it doesn’t strip out the splines on the shift shaft. Sounds like yours is about worn out. If you don’t replace it it will leave you stranded. Unfortunately, the only way to replace it is to remove the inner and outer primary. Might as well replace the shift shaft seal while you’re in there. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to give the inner primary bearing the once over too while you’re at it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Vermont
Yep, you already got heim joints as it was an SE model. Where’s it loose, the rear arm or the front arm, or the linkage itself?
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Seattle
Its a wear item. It isnt supposed to be loose. Over time the shift linkage wears out because the metal its made from is softer than the hardened steel the shift shaft is made from. They do that so it doesnt strip out the splines on the shift shaft. Sounds like yours is about worn out. If you dont replace it it will leave you stranded. Unfortunately, the only way to replace it is to remove the inner and outer primary. Might as well replace the shift shaft seal while youre in there. Wouldnt be a bad idea to give the inner primary bearing the once over too while youre at it.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Dawg. It's loose at the shaft below my fingers in the picture. The arm just slides back and forth or wiggles back and forth on the shaft.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
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From: Vermont
So it’s loose down behind the inner primary? If so, the shift rod lever and/or the shift pawl shaft assembly is probably worn out. They make fixes like better-lever https://betterlever.com or to replace the shift pawl shaft you gotta go through the tranny.