While draining the trans. fluid two small needle bearings were on the magnetic plug. About the size of a pencil lead an about 1/16 inch long. The bike is an 03 ultra with 43,000 miles. I've done some motor work but never transmission. I wasn't aware bearings were that small in transmission. Where are they from? Thanks in advance.

 

Don't know which shaft it's on but bearing 8977 is a smaller roller bearing assembly. I'd suspect that's where your two needles came from.

 

And the needles are much longer that 1/16 so you just have pieces.
From the looks of the parts diagram that 8977 bearing is on the countershaft.
Since the bearing runs directly on the end of the countershaft it may be damaged also.
But looking further there are 6 other needle bearing is the transmission.

Items 2 &12 in the first attachment and Item 10 in the second appear to be needle bearings.

 

Ok, thanks for the exploded views. Looks like I'll get to try my hand at transmission work. It's a Buddies Ultra that I do mechanic work for. Been thinking of a six speed gear swap on my 02 Classic. Guess I'll get some experience. Thanks for the help.

 

Sounds like throwout bearing needles to me. They are tiny.

 

Chuckle, why would I think Harley would show all the transmission bearings on the tab labeled "Transmission Bearings". Sorry about that.

Regardless, you really need to open that transmission up to see what you find before ordering pats.

 

But aren't they on the clutch end. And therefore if they failed the would be in the primary and not the transmission.

 

I'm bettin' throw-out bearing too. It's inside the right side of tranny,ride on the ramp that the clutch cable hooks into. First step is to remove the right cover,and look it over.
We used to call these throw-out bearings "buttons" because that's about how big they are.

 

Doesn't show any in the parts breakdown. There are 3 ***** on the ramp.

 

I don't see it there either but I also don't see the rod that goes through the transmission and has the clutch adjustment on it that it goes on to either.