Warning About Stock Shift Linkage
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 1
From: Matthews, NC
Warning About Stock Shift Linkage
I bought my FLHTC 19 months ago----brand new. I decided to bite the bullet and buy an HD heim joint shift linkage. During the install, I removed the stock linkage and those rubber grommets were dry, cracking, and about to come off. This would have been a real problem if the OEM linkage failed while I was on the road. My suggestion is to dump the OEM linkage and get the heim joint replacement.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 138
From: NE Ohio
One of the first things I change when I buy a new bike there have been plenty of folks that learned this the hard way. This past July I was on a trip out west when a neighbor riding a 06 Ultra learned the linkage is only there to make it through warranty, the front joint came apart. Bummer was we were in BFE and the closest dealer was 100+ miles the wrong way. Got lucky and the gas station worker knew a local that might have the part, he did and got the neighbor fixed up and then didn't charge him for the part. One hell of a great buy in my book.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: West Coast Canada
Unfortunately this is a common problem. I have run into several cases myself. Yes, it is good advice to carry zip ties for that issue alone, better yet, get a new billet type linkage. Just another example of something else HD needs to "deal with" They know exactly how many linkage failures they've had.....and they haven't done anything about it!!
Copter
Copter
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
Check the recent posts, yours is the third one with this problem in the past couple of weeks. Zip ties might work in a pinch, but my recommendation is still for a piece of 5/16" threaded rod cut to the size of the stock linkage, a couple of inexpensive ends and you're back on the road in a very short time. An ugly fix at best, but one that you don't have to worry about coming apart until you get a new linkage or end more to your liking.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: Birch Bay, WA
Wow. My bike is 5 years old and no issues. I better take a closer look.
Last edited by spizzyman; Sep 13, 2008 at 08:48 PM.
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Road Master
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 1
From: Central Virginia
Mine broke when my previous ultra had 22,000 miles and I was 100 miles from "nowhere" Oklahoma. Had wire ties and duct tape though and that got me to Ft. Smith, AR where I bought new linkage (for over $150). The OE linkage is crap.