Been reading about a lot of failures of shift linkages on our bikes. Harley sell new kits with fancy rods for $80.00 and up to replace the junk one on our bikes, that seems like a rip off to me. Well I just found a source for reasonably priced Heim Joints that thread right on to the stock rod after you unthread the junk ball joints. Harley Davidson! U.S. made. $10.00 apiece. Part #33871-85B. You also need two 5/16-24 x 1" hex bolts and a little blue locktight and about 10 minutes. I did a search of the forum and this actually seems to be as cheap or cheaper than any other source of Heim joints, and they are the same length as the stock ball joint ends. I put them on my bikes and it's cheap insurance that my shift linkage wont fall off!

 

Good cheap fix, and nice to have a spare when out on the road. Probably much better than zip ties, and duct tape.

 

Thanx, I'm gonna get a couple.

 

Thank you- I was just getting ready to spend to much on HDs fancy rods

 

you can get heim joints from McMasterCarr.com for a lot cheaper. Check it out I have only purchased a few different kinds from them for precision odd jobs I do, and I never researched the kind needed to replace the factory harley ones but since the ones I have purchased were a hell of a log beefier and only aprox. 5 bucks I would assume they would be even cheaper.

 

You might get them a little cheaper from McMaster Carr or somewhere else, but, these are U.S. made, the right length, so they don't change the angles of the shift levers, and avilable at the local H.D. Shop a place most of us frequent.

 

I just bought the HD script shifter link with the heim joints attached. They are indeed beefier.

 

Great info Thanks

 

After going thru a couple of stock linkages this is good info to have.

 

I thought making my own linkage, but I bought the HD (round) linkage because its plated and looks good. It bought it at 20% off during a dealer open house. I like the way the linkage feels with heim joints. The slop is gone.