Shift Linkage Broke
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
Shift Linkage Broke
10 miles from home after 1400 mile trip, tried to downshift coming of highway ramp and found shifter just flopping around.
Luckily, had a small bungy cord in saddle bag, which held it together for the short ride home.
Anyone have their linkage break like that? The round piece in the front came out of the hole and it does not appear that there is anything to hold it in. Going to shop at lunch to see if they got some kind of replacement part. I rode 200 miles in driving rain Friday night. I think basically, that I need to lubricate every moving part on the bike. Got a lot of squeeks now after it got drenched like that. Possibly after 58K miles and lack of lube, that thing came apart.
Luckily, had a small bungy cord in saddle bag, which held it together for the short ride home.
Anyone have their linkage break like that? The round piece in the front came out of the hole and it does not appear that there is anything to hold it in. Going to shop at lunch to see if they got some kind of replacement part. I rode 200 miles in driving rain Friday night. I think basically, that I need to lubricate every moving part on the bike. Got a lot of squeeks now after it got drenched like that. Possibly after 58K miles and lack of lube, that thing came apart.
If your on a early 2000's model RK, that is a common problem. It happened on my 01' a few times and a buddy of mine's 2002 RK and a few more. It always happened after coming off the interstate or highway after cruising at 70mph or so for an extended amount of time. From my experience, you can torque it down as tight as you can get it and it will happen again, eventually.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
It's happened to me twice in the past 150,000 miles. Both times on my '05 EGC. I carry a spare shifter rod in my saddle bag always. It's a 5 minute fix on the road if you have one, otherwise it's a hassle or even a tow truck.
Also carry a spare jiffy stand spring as these break too and leave you with a dangling jiffy stand hanging there.
Also carry a spare jiffy stand spring as these break too and leave you with a dangling jiffy stand hanging there.
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.
Last edited by Mike; Jul 12, 2011 at 08:14 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, UT. Dushore, Pa.
Replace ends of rod with heim joints, you'll have to pick up a couple 5/15 bolts and a acorn nut at the hardware store.
Must have been typing as Boogaloodude did his post. Nice pic., the only thing I do different is place the front end on the inside of the shift lever bracket so it's in a straight line with the rear. I think HD could spend $6-8 on this after all these years.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ECON-...item5644ee1c16
Must have been typing as Boogaloodude did his post. Nice pic., the only thing I do different is place the front end on the inside of the shift lever bracket so it's in a straight line with the rear. I think HD could spend $6-8 on this after all these years.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ECON-...item5644ee1c16
Last edited by gmc; Jul 12, 2011 at 08:53 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,218
Likes: 3,178
From: west Michigan
The "ball & socket" came apart on my '04 RK's linkage several years ago, about 30 miles from home. I used electrical tape from my tool kit to hold it together until I could get to a dealer, where I bought the SE linkage. The SE linkage w/Heim joints is what the original part should have been.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
There are plenty of threads about the POS that HD uses to connect the shift rod to the shift lever. It's amazing that they would scrimp on such a simple piece.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
10 miles from home after 1400 mile trip, tried to downshift coming of highway ramp and found shifter just flopping around.
Luckily, had a small bungy cord in saddle bag, which held it together for the short ride home.
Anyone have their linkage break like that? The round piece in the front came out of the hole and it does not appear that there is anything to hold it in. Going to shop at lunch to see if they got some kind of replacement part. I rode 200 miles in driving rain Friday night. I think basically, that I need to lubricate every moving part on the bike. Got a lot of squeeks now after it got drenched like that. Possibly after 58K miles and lack of lube, that thing came apart.
Luckily, had a small bungy cord in saddle bag, which held it together for the short ride home.
Anyone have their linkage break like that? The round piece in the front came out of the hole and it does not appear that there is anything to hold it in. Going to shop at lunch to see if they got some kind of replacement part. I rode 200 miles in driving rain Friday night. I think basically, that I need to lubricate every moving part on the bike. Got a lot of squeeks now after it got drenched like that. Possibly after 58K miles and lack of lube, that thing came apart.
Good luck.