Harley Davidson Forums

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:

shifter shaft issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 11:27 AM
Share
  #41  
Keithhu's Avatar
Keithhu
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
Default
Originally Posted by dickey
People need to stop stomping the levers into gear like they're killing a cockroach. A light SNICK is all it needs. Then you can enjoy the first gear "clunk" more. I have posted before about the "snick" & yet people still tromp the SOB into gear. I see it all the time. Stop stomping; start snicking. And start appreciating the "clunk".
I agree, although that might be more difficult than it seems, its much easier to use a light touch if you remove the heel shifter, which I always do. Except for my new bike, Harley took care of that for me.
 
Reply
0
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 12:28 PM
Share
  #42  
kel03's Avatar
kel03
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 17,684
Likes: 6,062
From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Default
Originally Posted by GOV5
NO. That would be the opposite of the cause. The heel part was the culprit. With the heel part removed, it should help, not hurt.

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!
Ha, was thinking it was the spine on the heel toe shifter ! Misread. Yep, heard of the shifter rod linkage issues, so get off my case, we're all entitled to a mistake, even after 6000 posts, lol. Have a good day pal.
 
Reply
0
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 04:15 PM
Share
  #43  
bowhunter97's Avatar
bowhunter97
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 73
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton Georgia
Default
Thanks for the information in this thread. I just saved myself some money today, after church I came home and checked my shifter linkage and it had some play but not as much as some. I tightened everything up and now little to no play. Thank you for posting.
 
Reply
1
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 04:41 PM
Share
  #44  
josame's Avatar
josame
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 972
Likes: 633
From: Ohio
Default
I don't think it is mostly a problem of stomping. If you are using a regular allen wrench to tighten the pinch bolt, I don't think you can get enough torque on it to get it to spec. Use an allen that you can use with your wrench and you will see what I mean. I had this problem and when I bought a new shaft and arm the sales guy said they have been improved, that tells me the original material was designed to fail. Just think how much their service departments make fixing them. I was talking to my neighbor a while back, he has had a bike for probably 20 years and told me he has never changed his own oil. Can you imagine how much he has given the dealer in just oil changes. I know some people don't wrench and thats fine, it's whats is helping to keep the MOCO alive.
 
Reply
0
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 04:52 PM
Share
  #45  
TSheff's Avatar
TSheff
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 11,321
Likes: 3,652
From: SE Texas
Default
Originally Posted by GOV5
It is checked at service intervals. That doesn't prevent a failure, trust me.
Originally Posted by hdbob2006
OK,I'll trust you! I've owned 4 5-speed bikes,all high miles,the latest being my '06 with 103,000 on it. I've never had a shift lever failure on any of them.-I must be doing something right!
Never had it happen after I've owned a bike for a while, but I have repaired several after purchasing bikes.
First thing is if you feel any slack at all find it and fix it - you won't be caught on the side of the road.
Whether actual lever at the transmission, linkage (Heim joint), shift shaft on the primary, or foot shift levers, if the are properly tightened and maintained there will be no failures.
Another trick when the levers are removed on older bikes I widen the gap with a dremel tool and use an allen as mentioned before, allowing more torque and tighter fit.

Like Dickey stated - be a Snicker, not a STOMPER.
Just curious, those that have experience this failure, especially more than once, do you also have trouble finding neutral?
 
Reply
0
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 05:07 PM
Share
  #46  
nobodyknowsme's Avatar
nobodyknowsme
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
Default
Originally Posted by corliss@bakerdrivetrain.com
If you are talking about the shift lever that loosens up and wallows out the hole, then we offer a beefed up version at baker:

https://bakerdrivetrain.com/products...nt=23522349379

It will hold up better based on our materials and finishing.
Don't guess you offer an extended length shaft? I have Cyclesmiths Banana Boards so have an extended length aftermarket shift lever on both bikes that I wouldn't mind replacing.
 
Reply
0
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 06:57 PM
Share
  #47  
rlh7677's Avatar
rlh7677
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
Default
Sorry slip of the finger
 
Reply
0
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 07:01 PM
Share
  #48  
rlh7677's Avatar
rlh7677
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
Default mistake
Originally Posted by LQQK_OUT
It's called: heim

One of the many threads on heim joints.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...t-linkage.html
Slip of the finger, please forgive
 
Reply
0
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 Nov 3, 2019 | 07:41 PM
Share
  #49  
corliss@bakerdrivetrain.com's Avatar
corliss@bakerdrivetrain.com
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 23,850
Likes: 1,861
From: Michigan
Default
Originally Posted by nobodyknowsme
Don't guess you offer an extended length shaft? I have Cyclesmiths Banana Boards so have an extended length aftermarket shift lever on both bikes that I wouldn't mind replacing.
We do not offer one. Sorry.
 
Reply
0
Old Nov 3, 2019 | 07:45 PM
Share
  #50  
corliss@bakerdrivetrain.com's Avatar
corliss@bakerdrivetrain.com
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 23,850
Likes: 1,861
From: Michigan
Default
Originally Posted by LQQK_OUT
I installed the Baker Shift Lever a few years ago on the 5-speed in my Fatboy to replaced the stripped out lever. Seems like a good product, but it is expensive.
I am curious why the part numbers seemed to change. I purchased part number: 3375-85SA-A
Why does your website call out part number: 33849-07HD-A for both 5 and 6 speeds now?
Yes, updated to accommodate for the newer stuff, 07 and up.
 
Reply
1



Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:45 AM.

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