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.

 

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.

 

This is why it is a good idea to carry zip ties. They can be used to hold the linkage together until you are able to do a replacement.

 

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

 

The OEM linkage on Harley's should be rated EPIC failure..

Good idea with zip ties... I'd probly have sat there an whined for hours looking at it till I figured that out. (c:

99%r

 

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.

 

Wow. My bike is 5 years old and no issues. I better take a closer look.

 

My bike is the same age as yours spizzyman, and mine broke in my driveway about 3 years ago.

 

This is some good info. What exactly do I have to check?

 

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.