shifter arm is made of cheap potmetal...JUNK. change out while you're at it. 
Rattling shifter
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
Same here. The new heims are nice and tight. With bike idleing put your hand on the linkage between the heim joints and see if the rattle stops. If it does just put on new heim joints and problem solved. I thought the rattle was coming from the front shifter shaft and tried grease, shims, rubber spacer and several other fixes before I figured out the heim joints were the problem.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
hey iclick, have you considere the wave type washer? that might be the solution for the rattling shifter lever. you can get them at hardware stores, the springy type that applies a little bit of pressure to the pivot shaft. i'm thinking it'd cure your problem.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: MN
All this talk about a shifter rattle got me to thinking about mine. I stopped at DK in Rush City and picked up new Drag Spec. Linage w heims. Good thing as I was changing it out the one end popped right off in my hand.. WHEW! 10 minutes, on small drop of blue and I mean small, Tightened and no more rattle. The rubber bushings that fit over the shaft closest to the ball in the linkage was shot! One was gone.
Not anymore. Thanks for talking about it... it paid off!
Ride and Have FUN
Not anymore. Thanks for talking about it... it paid off!
Ride and Have FUN
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 8
From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
Took mine apart and greased it...
I ended up cutting a piece of heater hose as a spacer...
you look close you can see the rubber spacer
no more rattle
Plus the homemade shifter linkage with Old Aircraft rod ends and MS grade bolts
I ended up cutting a piece of heater hose as a spacer...
you look close you can see the rubber spacer
no more rattle
Plus the homemade shifter linkage with Old Aircraft rod ends and MS grade bolts
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 18
From: Florida
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,877
From: Oklahoma
One of the "de-content" changes from the old days is the removal of the grease zerk from the tunnel in the primary cover. Some folks have removed the pivot shaft, drilled and tapped a hole near the center and installed their own zerk. An occasional squirt should help keep the noise down. Hobby shops and perhaps some arts and crafts places sell brass shim stock only slightly thicker than aluminum foil. I have wrapped the shaft in a layer of shim stock and it is almost like having a bras bushing provide a snug, but free moving, rattle free assembly.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 14
From: Fla
Did they also remove the brass bushings inside the primary case, where the shifter shaft went through? I don't see them in Ronnie's micro fiche, for '07-'10s. I'm glad my old '99 has them! Why does Harley keep 'upgrading' their design to include major parts as 'wear items' on the newer models? 