shifter shaft issue
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Thst does sound good. I have never had them come off, just spin. So not sure clips would help thst at all.
Once I used anti seize, I think I cranked down to proper tq then. It lubed it up and made spin easier with less stress, so less chance if stripping bolt head. My theory.
Once I used anti seize, I think I cranked down to proper tq then. It lubed it up and made spin easier with less stress, so less chance if stripping bolt head. My theory.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
I hope they fixed it. I happened to me one my 2009 SG about 22000, my 2014SGS @ 36000 my 2015 Ultra @ 26000 miles. Now I have a 2019 ultra hope they fixed it. I carry a extra one with me just in case. I have used it 5 times on friends bikes. Its a easy fix on the side of the road that's why I carry an extra.
Are you perhaps describing the ends of the horizontal rod that attaches at transmission lever and foot shift lever?
The ends that many change-out to heim joints because the little ball pops out.
That one is an easy fix on side of road with replacement part or even a shoe lace if needed.
Best to just change to a heim joint.
Because that would be much different from a lever that attaches to transmission shaft.
The lever at transmission shaft is much more difficult to replace.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 56
Likes: 13
From: Northern California
Took my shifter apart when I got the bike 4 years ago, I added an extended heel shifter and then blue locktite on all bolts and probably went a little beyond torque specs, nothing has come loose in over 35,000 miles. I give it all a shake before every ride, and I am replacing the stock shifter linkage this week, nothing wrong with the old one, just want something that looks different than stock.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,858
From: Oklahoma
Mine was a bit loose at the 1000 mile check. Retorqued then and check every 5000 mile service. Still solid from first tightening, now at 97,000+ miles. The OWNERS' MANUAL, probably the most ignored publication known to western man, cautions that EXCESSIVE FORCE on the shift linkage can cause damage. This undoubtedly is an example.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 462
Likes: 37
From: Mississippi
It happened to my buddies 16 Ultra. We took it for thousand mile service and on the way home memorial day weekend it fell off. Mind you this was in Mississippi and the temperature was close to 102 it sucked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,130
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
Lever replacement requires inner primary cover removal on all 5 speed bikes, not sure about later models.
The shifter lever up front at the foot shift lever, no big deal there, it is all out in the open and easily repaired. Check this stuff every time you do an oil change, at least.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Nov 1, 2019 at 08:30 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
I hope they fixed it. I happened to me one my 2009 SG about 22000, my 2014SGS @ 36000 my 2015 Ultra @ 26000 miles. Now I have a 2019 ultra hope they fixed it. I carry a extra one with me just in case. I have used it 5 times on friends bikes. Its a easy fix on the side of the road that's why I carry an extra.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
Did Harley ever fix the issue many of us have had where the shifter shaft splines would strip out and render you stranded? I had this happen to my 2013 Ultra Classic during a trip many hours away from home. I'm told this has been fixed with the newer models. Is this correct?
"banging down" on the heel part was much greater than the toe part of the linkage, and thus caused more stripping failures at the shaft.
I quit using the heel part and only use the toe shifter now. So far, so good...lucky I guess.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
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From: Charleston, SC
And you've got over 6000 posts here and you say you've NEVER heard of this issue? Really? How have you missed SO many threads on this? AMAZING!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,459
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Yep ... Never heard of it? ... One of the more talked about issues on this forum
