Shift Linkage Broke
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
I have always upgraded to one that uses heim joints. (Really I keep moving the same one from bike to bike.) If you don't want to spend the $ for an upgraded one you can just replace the hardware with heim joints.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: East Tenn
There's a cheap and easy upgrade for the shifter linkage.
It takes 2 heim joints 5/16-24 (female, right hand), 2 5/16-24 x 1 in hex head cap screws, and 1 5/16-24 nut. The cap screw will thread into the lever on the transmission. but on the foot shift lever, you need a nut. I have the cap screw facing towards the motor, and a chrome acorn nut facing out. (Use blue loctite.) You reuse the original shifter rod, and you can pick everything else you need at the hardware store for about 10 bucks.
It takes 2 heim joints 5/16-24 (female, right hand), 2 5/16-24 x 1 in hex head cap screws, and 1 5/16-24 nut. The cap screw will thread into the lever on the transmission. but on the foot shift lever, you need a nut. I have the cap screw facing towards the motor, and a chrome acorn nut facing out. (Use blue loctite.) You reuse the original shifter rod, and you can pick everything else you need at the hardware store for about 10 bucks.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
And while you're at the hardware store, pick up a couple of grade 8 bolts for your shifter arms to replace those allen bolts. I just went through a tussle with my shifter arms and those allen bolts didn't like either my sockets or allen wrenches.
Last edited by Sharknose; Jul 12, 2011 at 06:35 PM.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
Yeah ... I'm giving some thought to the custom ones with the heim joints. I have a fancy HD script cover for the standard linkage but could not get the nut loose on the new linkage to mount the hardware so just said f' it and put the new part on without the fancy bling. Maybe later ....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,422
Likes: 2
From: Las Cruces, NM
Yup......after losing/breaking two of the POS standard ball joint shifter ends I too followed the suggestions about this in an earlier posting. I love the things and I will NEVER use those POSs again!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 259
From: Seattle
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
At risk of contributing to a six year dead thread, I'd suggest using an online parts finder and look at a newer CVO shifter diagram...many of those have OE Heim joints. Honestly, nothing much to look at.
