3 touring bikes, all had shift linkage issues.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, Tx
3 touring bikes, all had shift linkage issues.
Taking my 14 limited to the dealer, 29,000 and the shaft the shift levers tie to is starting to strip out, I had to stop several times and tighten it up through out the week just to keep on the road. I have had similar issues on my 03 , and my 11. It seems the setup isn't really designed sturdy enough for extended use. If I replace the stock components with some of the other HD items will they last longer?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 55
From: Florida
Oh, I also recall reading a post where the gap in the pinch area of the lever touches and cannot be tightened further.opening it up a bit with a dremmel cutting wheel at the inside of gap ,closest to shaft will allow it to tighten up.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, Tx
This one is getting fixed under warranty, I just wonder if it's design or am I doing something wrong. Seems something so fundamental to riding should last more than year, and 29,000 miles.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, Tx
It seems to be the lever than connects to the linkage, or the shaft that the lever is connected to. I tightened it by moving the shift arm in tight against the rubber spacer pulling the shaft tight to the lever.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Tony...are you using the heel shifter? If you are, then you may be exerting more force on the heel part of the lever than you think. If you have had trouble with three different bikes, then I would have to encourage you to examine how you are using your heel and how much force you are using.
If you can, using your toe to up and downshift is a better option for several reasons. First, you don't have to pick up the heel of your boot to shift, your boot is not trapped between the toe and heel shifter perches (once the heel shifter part of the lever is removed), and most importantly for you, your toe will likely never exert enough pressure to strip or damage the lever mechanism.
You have much more finesse with your toe as well. I know, lots of guys are staunch about using that heel shifter, but I pass this along for thought based upon my experiences with several bikes and never having had any shifter spline or transmission fork damage problems.
If you can, using your toe to up and downshift is a better option for several reasons. First, you don't have to pick up the heel of your boot to shift, your boot is not trapped between the toe and heel shifter perches (once the heel shifter part of the lever is removed), and most importantly for you, your toe will likely never exert enough pressure to strip or damage the lever mechanism.
You have much more finesse with your toe as well. I know, lots of guys are staunch about using that heel shifter, but I pass this along for thought based upon my experiences with several bikes and never having had any shifter spline or transmission fork damage problems.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 126
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From: Sugar Land, Tx
I do use the heel shifter, I'm not a fan of marking up the toe of my shoe. If you design a component to be operated with a heel it should be designed to take the force of a stomp. I don't normally, but for quick acceleration I imagine I hit it pretty hard.
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From: San Diego, CA
http://betterlever.com/
Good luck...
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,487
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From: boston
I was just coming on to post the exact same thing. I was riding to work yesterday and I went to down shift and couldn;t find my toe peg. I looked down and noticed it was sitting on the floor board. When I pulled over I noticed that the shaft the shift arms are attached to came apart from the arm that is attached to the shift rod. Not knowing how this attaches I slipped it back together and tightenend the bolt till I could get to work, right around the corner.
I took every thing apart and noticed that the splines have a hollowed out area for the bolt to slide into to keep the parts from coming apart. That was why I couldn't slide them together all the way. Quick fix but was wondering how this could happen?
I took every thing apart and noticed that the splines have a hollowed out area for the bolt to slide into to keep the parts from coming apart. That was why I couldn't slide them together all the way. Quick fix but was wondering how this could happen?