Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

shift linkage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 11:13 AM
  #1  
an Uncouth Barbarian's Avatar
an Uncouth Barbarian
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 69
From: michigan
Default shift linkage

I just replaced all the seals and gaskets on my trans, shift shaft and inner primary. After reassembly, I noticed that my shift linkage does not run parallel to the cylinders. It angles out towards the front. I did not notice how it ran before disassembly and I did not change anything on it. Is this normal? Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 11:19 AM
  #2  
2black1s's Avatar
2black1s
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Yep! Perfectly normal. Or should I say unperfectly normal.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 11:33 AM
  #3  
an Uncouth Barbarian's Avatar
an Uncouth Barbarian
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 69
From: michigan
Default

Thank you, Sir. I appreciate the reply and am no longer concerned.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 12:05 PM
  #4  
EasternSP's Avatar
EasternSP
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,875
Likes: 32,915
From: King George, VA
Default

You can put shims on either end to get it running in line with the bike frame. I might look a little better, expecially if you have a custom linkage.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 12:22 PM
  #5  
TWIN CAM 96's Avatar
TWIN CAM 96
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 6
From: East of the USS Midway
Default

Are you running the stock ball joint type or rod ends?
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 12:35 PM
  #6  
an Uncouth Barbarian's Avatar
an Uncouth Barbarian
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 69
From: michigan
Default

Originally Posted by TWIN CAM 96
Are you running the stock ball joint type or rod ends?
Stock. It shifts normal, I just haven't noticed that it was angled before. I've had it 11 years. How observant is that?
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 12:47 PM
  #7  
TWIN CAM 96's Avatar
TWIN CAM 96
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 6
From: East of the USS Midway
Default

Originally Posted by an Uncouth Barbarian
Stock. It shifts normal, I just haven't noticed that it was angled before. I've had it 11 years. How observant is that?
With the stock ball joint they are mounted to the outside of the linkage. With the rod ends trans is mounted to the outside and the front for the shifter shaft is mounted to the inside. You may want to replace those ball joints with the rod ends before your stranded on the side of the road when they come apart during a shift costs about $ 15.00 and no worries.
www.rodendsupply.com
LXF5 5/16x5/16x24
 

Last edited by TWIN CAM 96; Apr 16, 2012 at 12:51 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 01:16 PM
  #8  
an Uncouth Barbarian's Avatar
an Uncouth Barbarian
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 69
From: michigan
Default

Originally Posted by TWIN CAM 96
With the stock ball joint they are mounted to the outside of the linkage. With the rod ends trans is mounted to the outside and the front for the shifter shaft is mounted to the inside. You may want to replace those ball joints with the rod ends before your stranded on the side of the road when they come apart during a shift costs about $ 15.00 and no worries.
www.rodendsupply.com
LXF5 5/16x5/16x24
Small price to pay for security and peace of mind. Thanks for the link.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SOCALHD
Screamin Eagle CVO Models
0
Oct 15, 2014 10:46 AM
the snake
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
0
Jan 1, 2013 05:27 PM
Mr. Wannabe
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
10
Jan 1, 2012 11:08 AM
Radioman_cut
Touring Models
5
Apr 20, 2011 07:53 PM
vegashd
General Harley Davidson Chat
0
Apr 28, 2006 04:42 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE