Lost Gear Shifter

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Nov 9, 2009 | 09:52 PM

King Cobra

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Joined: Dec 2007

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From: Omaha, NE

Lost Gear Shifter

Went for a 174 mile this weekend (one-way) and got to just over the 100th mile mark and lost my gear shifter somewhere on the road!!!...Yes was coming up on the next town and went to down shift and it was gone!!!!

Coasted over to the shoulder, manually shifted to 1st gear and went back close to 15 miles where we came from looking for it--No Luck!! Ended up riding to our destination (nearly 85 miles away with no shifter). Wife would hold in the clutch and I would manually shift with left hand.--Fun stuff.

Anybody ever have this happen?

PS I converted to a single lever shifter..

Nov 9, 2009 | 10:02 PM

Dionicio

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Joined: Dec 2007

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From: El Paso, Texas

Nope, never had that happen. I think the bolt came completly out of the lever for it to fall off, try some blue locktite on the bolt before torquing it down.

Nov 9, 2009 | 11:22 PM

Texas Fat Boy

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Joined: Dec 2006

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From: ST. Louis

That's why Harley puts two on there.

They are the same part number for either the Toe or Heal Shift Lever.

Nov 9, 2009 | 11:23 PM

puddles13

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 2,053

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From: Houston, Texas

Never lost the whole thing, though did have the toe shifter go on me recently. The splines got worn. Toe shifter was bouncin on my floor board bracket. Was able to get home by toe shifting my heel shifter.

easy repair actually

Nov 9, 2009 | 11:41 PM

myred55

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 929

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From: Central CA

My heal shifter came loose and was rattling. The dealer replaced the toe and heal shifters and the splined shaft.

Nov 10, 2009 | 06:09 AM

smokindave

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Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Oh

Here's the problem........Harley uses crap Chinese bolts that stretch when torqued at the factory and then loosens after you have ridden it awhile. Buy a good S/S bolt at Ace Hardware and replace the shifting lever bolt.

Nov 10, 2009 | 07:05 AM

08roadglidejoe

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Joined: May 2009

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From: Denver, CO

I was on a ride this past summer when the shifter on a guys bike fell off. Three other riders in the group ran it over and then a semi finished it off.

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Nov 10, 2009 | 09:10 AM

rh8234

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Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 3,968

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From: Lockport Township, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokindave

YEP! That is the problem. When mine fell off, I was lucky because it was laying on the floorboard and it was not lost. When I pulled over and checked the bolt was still in, but was streched so that the part of it that fits in the detent of the shaft was too narrow and the shifter lever was able to come off the shaft even with the bolt in! Replaced with a good quality stainless bolt and no further troubles.