shifter shaft issue
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 530
Likes: 57
From: The South
shifter shaft issue
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?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
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From:
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?
Lack of routine maintenance review of the ONE single bolt holding the lever is usually the cause of lever getting loose and then slipping over shaft.
Then disregarding the sloppy shifting due to loose bolt for a considerable amount of time can then cause shaft damage.
Most times it is the lever that becomes damaged and not the shaft.
When the shaft is damaged then there is an aftermarket part called the Buehler Better lever that permits an expensive but efficient repair.
The 5 speed bikes required removal of inner primary to change that one lever.
The 6 speed bikes have an indentation on back of primary that permits change-out of lever without inner primary removal..tight fit but possible.
But again, the root cause appears to be the bolt on lever being loose and ignored.
Last edited by im; Nov 1, 2019 at 11:34 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
Happened to me and I have the heel shifter in place. Both lever & shaft stripped. Lucky for me it happened about 1 km from home. Just returning from a week long trip...it happened coming off the highway at the last exit just before home.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,468
Likes: 2,517
From: Lititz Pa
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.
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?
https://bakerdrivetrain.com/products...nt=23522349379
It will hold up better based on our materials and finishing.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
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.
https://bakerdrivetrain.com/products...nt=23522349379
It will hold up better based on our materials and finishing.
Ive had several shift levers begin to strip out as well. Sometimes the bolt was loose....most of the time the bolt remained tight, the lever was just wore out.
After I installed the Baker version.....and unsure about using theirs versus stock OEM. I went ahead and safety wired the Allen bolt to the lever. Theres NO way it will loosen up. It maybe overkill.....but its a real PITA to change on a five speed.
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Never heard of this and my bikes are not new like these. Some people would replace the rod with one with good him joints. I did both mine,didnt got with any fancy name brand.
Never heard of an epidemic splines stripping,so I find it funny how it is being brought up, asking if resolved. Also find it funny talking about newer bikes like they been around forever.
I do put anti seize on the bolt. I think allows greater torque without stripping head. Since I have done this I have not had one come loose.
Never heard of an epidemic splines stripping,so I find it funny how it is being brought up, asking if resolved. Also find it funny talking about newer bikes like they been around forever.
I do put anti seize on the bolt. I think allows greater torque without stripping head. Since I have done this I have not had one come loose.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 53
From: Lancaster, PA
Had it happen twice on my '07 EGC and I went with a product called "Stoploss" Shifter shaft. It replaced the stock shaft with a hardened version that had two E clips, one for each shifter to prevent the shifter from falling off.