First off, I'm new to the forum and to Harley's, but not bikes... I have read quite a few threads on here as a visitor and decided to register to see if y'all could help out a new guy.

Picked up a wrecked 1995 Electra Glide for a steal. All the damage looked cosmetic and one of my buddys who rides had a pretty extensive knowledge of the history of the bike. So I got everything replaced/repaired and take off for my first ride... The bike is a real bear to downshift.

Upshifting is smooth as silk, and the 5-4 downshift is normal. However 4-1, downshifts I have to tap the shifter several times to get it to downshift. Although it will downshift, its a PITA.

I'm a pretty mechanically inclined guy, just don't know where to start. What do yall think?

Thanks

 

Is your shift linkage adjusted correctly? or bent

 

The linkage is definitely not bent. As far as I know, it is adjusted correctly... It doesn't bind and does not seem to have excessive play. Other than that, I haven't messed with it at all.

 

Couple things to try at first thought.
1. Get the rear wheel off the ground. Disconnect the linkage at the rear. Try up and down shifting by hand without the bike running. If it is smooth without the bike running try it with the bike running. The results will tell you alot.


2, You may have already checked, but is the clutch properly adjusted?

Cheers

 

Allow the the bike to slow to an appropriate speed before down shifting.

 

....and raise engine speed take loading off the trans internals and to help synchronise the change. You may simply be fighting against the loadings between gears in the trans.

 

I guess it's safe to say that you checked the tranny and primary fluid and adjusted the clutch.

 

try greasing the shaft.start simple

 

If it was wrecked and it went down on the on the left side and if the shifter was subjected to some really intense forces, then you may have something internally bent, maybe a fork, in the transmission. Just a guess though since you said it was wrecked.

You should check the frame also on that wrecked bike and make sure there are no cracked welds, or other cracks just to ensure your safety.

 

The shift pawl should be centered to the dowels on the shift drum. That is done by adjusting the shift pawl itself, outside of the transmission. May be easier if you take the top cap off the transmission, so that you can actually see how the dowel on the shift drum sits between the shift pawl...

Of course, while this is not terribly difficult, you should ensure that all other parts of the shift system from the shift peg on back are working correctly.