After hanging around here for about a year or so , and studying various parts that exit our machines , I checked my shifter linkage to see how it's doing.
I have read that many of these fail prematurely , and I'm not into surprises .
The rear joint has a noticeable amount of wear so I thought of how to fix it "quick and dirty" , I'm not a fancy guy like some of you here.
Bear in mind my bike only has about 7800 miles on it.
The stock setup....



And the stock piece



The modified setup



So I went on a mission to find a couple of inexpensive stainless heim joints with teflon bearings to replace the stock parts and found a great selection at
http://www.midwestcontrol.com/catdis...ort.php?pg=132
The model number is STF-5 and is a 5/16 (hole in ball end) and 5/6 x 24 female (for the rod).
The price was $7.71 each and the shipping was $11.16 (ouch) for a total of $26.58 to my door.
I used 2 5/16x24 x 1" bolts from the hardware store for about $1.00 , and 2 drops of locktite blue.
I also reused the flat washer , lock washer , and stock nut for the front (new) joint.
The stock linkage was 12.25" from stud center to stud center and the new heims allowed me to just get the spacing hole to hole.
The new ends are a bit longer , so I had to "bury" the adjustments to get the right (12.25") length.
I will get stainless bolts that look better eventually , but for now it'll work ok.
I drilled and tapped the primary for a grease fitting just after I bought the bike and started greasing it then, I'm sure it has made a difference in the shifter "feel" overall.
Feels much better , and for the price , got a much more dependable linkage.
Mick

 

Looks good too. Thanks for the tip.

 

Good job. I used the chrome heim joints just like those from Drag Specialties (think I paid $15 or so for the pair) and did the same thing. Now I carry the stock linkage joints in my tourpak for when I come across some poor sap along the highway trying to ziptie his linkage

 

Funny you should mention that dawg , the old parts went in my spare parts bag in my left saddlebag , for someone on the road.
A little "pay it forward" for the stranded....
Thanks for the replies.
Mick

 

That, would be ME! Been there, done that, not fun. [:@]

Mick, that setup looks good andstout to me.

This post is one of the reasons I scribe to this Forum.

 

Getting my bike next Friday from stealer, the first accesory Iordered was the shift linkage to be replaced when they prep it thanks to all the posts I read here about stock one being a major POS. I will keep the original in my saddle bag as well for the next poor soul I see one the side of the rode who doesn't come here and feed off the wisodon that is HD forums.

 

Hmmm, you would think the engineers at the MOCO would think of something that simple. I am on the list that had their shifter linkage break, fortunately, it broke while sitting in my garage. How many times does that happen?

 

Thanks for sharing the tip.

 

In case anyone is interested in keeping the OE style, Mcmaster-Carr carries these dirt cheap 6058K42 Ball Joint Linkage Shielded, 5/16"-24 Stud & Shank Thread Size In stock at $3.56 Each. Most dealers don't carry these and will only give you #33759-99B which is the whole assembly for $19.50. The MOCO doesn't break it down, so if any dealers carry just the linkages it will be aftermarket.

 

Mick, that's a great mod. Sure beatsthe MoCo's $86 solution (below). Use some Never Dull on the threaded rod. It will polish up like chrome.