Warning About Stock Shift Linkage
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
From: Hoboken, New Jersey
It is funny that some bikes out there still have the stock rod on them and they have been there and working for years. A good riding bud of mine who beats the hell out of all his bikes is still using the stock unit on a 04' Fatboy....another is on a 03' Heritage with the OEM unit. ME....with my luck though.....I change them out about the same time I peel off the warning stickers and reflectors!
I aint sure, but I think it may have something to do with the way some people feel the need or just unconscious have the need to smack the shifter down into 1st gear when the light changes green or they are just pulling away from a stop. I swear sometimes I think I could hear it from 500 yards away. That big cerculnk.....that could be part of the reason for the high rate of failure...???
I aint sure, but I think it may have something to do with the way some people feel the need or just unconscious have the need to smack the shifter down into 1st gear when the light changes green or they are just pulling away from a stop. I swear sometimes I think I could hear it from 500 yards away. That big cerculnk.....that could be part of the reason for the high rate of failure...???
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
Its the ball and socket joint. The (nylon) socket wears out, gets too big, and the ball end falls out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
here's my reply on another post:
since no one answered you yet, i'll give you what i got. you will need:
2 ea heim joints 5/16-24 right hand (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=280249330109)
2 ea 5/16-24 x 1 in hex cap screws (i used grade 5 stainless, not that much stress where you'll need grade 8, but you can if you want, but it costs more)
2 ea 5/16-24 jam nuts
1 ea 5/16-24 nylon lock nut
the bolt will thread into the lever on the transmission. but on the foot shift lever, the nylon lock nut holds the works together. all told, i spent less than 15.00 to do this. (i reused the stock linkage rod, but you can get a new spiffy one if you want. if you go that route, see if you can get one that is about 1/2 in shorter, that will give you more adjustment room)
2 ea
2 ea heim joints 5/16-24 right hand (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=280249330109)
2 ea 5/16-24 x 1 in hex cap screws (i used grade 5 stainless, not that much stress where you'll need grade 8, but you can if you want, but it costs more)
2 ea 5/16-24 jam nuts
1 ea 5/16-24 nylon lock nut
the bolt will thread into the lever on the transmission. but on the foot shift lever, the nylon lock nut holds the works together. all told, i spent less than 15.00 to do this. (i reused the stock linkage rod, but you can get a new spiffy one if you want. if you go that route, see if you can get one that is about 1/2 in shorter, that will give you more adjustment room)
2 ea
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 2
From: USA
Not only time to look at changing over to heim joints for shifting links but put the zerk fitting into the front of the case to lube the cross rod too....
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/primary-transmission-driveline-clutch/225838-grease-fitting-and-heim-joint-shift-linkage.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/primary-transmission-driveline-clutch/225838-grease-fitting-and-heim-joint-shift-linkage.html
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: In the wind
38,000 miles and still on the stock linkage And no problems at all. But since my bike is a 96 and I bought it used 96 might be a better linkage I know it is the original because I know the original owner so I asked if it was ever changed.