When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Had same problem on an '06. Told the tech while it was being services. He know exactly what was wrong and fixed it under warrenty. I forget what he told me the problem was but it was a common repair.
I have the same problem with my '03, but only after it has set a few days...sounds like i need to do a little dismantle and grease job.. that or ride it more often.
Best thing to do is go out and get a 45 degree grease zerk. Take that zerk and replace the one in your steering neck so that you can gain easy access to grease the bearings at 10,000 mile intervals. Then with the zerk that you took out of the neck, drill and tap a hole in the shifter sleeve on the primary and install it there like the old EVO used to have. Then every once in awhile put a shot of grease in it and see how smooth your shift works. I have done that to the 04 and the 08.
I noticed that the zerk that was on my EVO shift shaft sleeve was "missing" on the '07. I didn't think much about it until reading these threads. I don't have any problem with a sticky shifter linkage but I think I'll install your mod so I can do a bit of preventive maintenance.
Looked into this issue this weekend and found several things. As mentioned the shaft that the shifter pivots on is in my opinion a poor design as others have also suggested. Having a touring bike I do get caught in the rain as well as washing my bike every other week or so, I noticed a build up of oxidation on the shaft. I also notice the possibility of capillary seepage of water under this shaft to cause this oxidation. Since the removal of the zerk valve it is either a necessity to install a zerk or periodically grease the shaft andcheck for this oxidation.
Having removed the shaft I cleaned the oxidation withscotch brite and reinstalled with anti sieze lub to allow for better shifting. The issue that I was having with sticky shifting has gone as a bad memory. Shifting is much smoother and more definate. I no longer have to assume I have shifted to the next gear. It is now literal as it was when the bike was new.
This winter I will take the time to install a zerk valve so I can grease this shaft during my maintenance schedule as I have added much to this outside the factory recommendations.
I changed mine out for the kuryakyn chrome linkage with sealed grease fittingson each end. It has bearings. It shifts better and very smoothe. Since it is sealed wather cannot get in and looks much better.Only $39.95
Hi all
Thanks dawg a great idea with that right angle stearing head grease nipple.I just took the standard one out and it is dry This bike has had 3 services and a dry grease nipple ??? Thanks for the tip
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
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.
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.