Head Hoggers Shifter Bushing Issue
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 267
From: New England
Head Hoggers Shifter Bushing Issue
2016 touring model with just about 40k miles
Last year the shift shaft had developed a decent amount of slop, neutral was becoming just about impossible to find and my shift arm would rattle at idle.
Recently installed the Head Hoggers Bagger "Shaft Gripper" vibranium shifter bushing. Have been out for a few quick rides since install and everything felt great, really tightened up the shifter and neutral is much easier to find now. Just about zero slop and absolutely no more rattle.
Well, I finally got out for a decent length ride and all off sudden started noticing after about 20 minutes or so into the ride that when downshifting the shift arm wasn't returning back up to its normal position. I'd have to sneak my foot under the shift peg and slightly lift it back up to it's normal position. This was happening when downshifting from 2nd to 1st and also from neutral to 1st. I get home, let the bike cool for about an hour and the shifter movement is totally normal again.
Anyone else with the Head Hoggers bushing experience something like this when the cases heat up? I'm hoping the bushing just needs a couple good heat cycles to wear in properly...
Last year the shift shaft had developed a decent amount of slop, neutral was becoming just about impossible to find and my shift arm would rattle at idle.
Recently installed the Head Hoggers Bagger "Shaft Gripper" vibranium shifter bushing. Have been out for a few quick rides since install and everything felt great, really tightened up the shifter and neutral is much easier to find now. Just about zero slop and absolutely no more rattle.
Well, I finally got out for a decent length ride and all off sudden started noticing after about 20 minutes or so into the ride that when downshifting the shift arm wasn't returning back up to its normal position. I'd have to sneak my foot under the shift peg and slightly lift it back up to it's normal position. This was happening when downshifting from 2nd to 1st and also from neutral to 1st. I get home, let the bike cool for about an hour and the shifter movement is totally normal again.
Anyone else with the Head Hoggers bushing experience something like this when the cases heat up? I'm hoping the bushing just needs a couple good heat cycles to wear in properly...
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 267
From: New England
I installed everything per their YouTube video instructions. I sanded and cleaned the inside of the primary case bore, sanded and cleaned the shaft itself, used grease inside the shaft/bushing contact area.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,877
From: Oklahoma
I went to the Head Hogger web site and then got curious as to what "Vibranium" is. Someone at Head Hogger must have a sense of humor, as the only answer I found was that it was a FICTIONAL material dreamed up by Marvel Comics. That leaves me wondering of what material these bushings are really made. Anyone know, or would care to hazard a guess? If they expand when hot at a significantly greater rate than aluminum, will they eventually crack the shift shaft area of the primary case?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 1,903
From: East Coast, USA
I don't know anything about their bushing, but their puller tool ($15.95) seems like a great option and value over the JIms #5518 Shift Pedal Shaft Bushing Tool which is over $100.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 267
From: New England
I went to the Head Hogger web site and then got curious as to what "Vibranium" is. Someone at Head Hogger must have a sense of humor, as the only answer I found was that it was a FICTIONAL material dreamed up by Marvel Comics. That leaves me wondering of what material these bushings are really made. Anyone know, or would care to hazard a guess? If they expand when hot at a significantly greater rate than aluminum, will they eventually crack the shift shaft area of the primary case?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 3,046
From: St.Louis Mo.
I bought one of these things and didn't care for it at all. I buffed and sanded the shaft, even hones the bushing some. Tighten up when it got hot and was loose when cold.
No advantage to having it. Bought new shaft and bushing and will be good for a long time to come.
One more thing , no matter what i did the bushing would rotate in the inner primary when shifting.
No advantage to having it. Bought new shaft and bushing and will be good for a long time to come.
One more thing , no matter what i did the bushing would rotate in the inner primary when shifting.
Last edited by hardheaded; May 20, 2025 at 11:13 AM.