Shifter woes again | GTAMotorcycle.com

Shifter woes again

sburns

sburns

Well-known member
Went for a ride on Sat and about a few k's in I lost control of my shifter. This time the shifter didn't fall off (as in here Mission Control - We've lost our shifter) it just rocked in position.

Pulled over and did some road side inspection.
This part came loose.
Harley-Shifter-Shaft-Problems-1.jpg

Used my tool kit to pull it apart and put it back together (thanks to whomever recommended the cruztools a while back, it's been very helpful)
Made it home.

Pulled it apart again to inspect it. Some of the spines are ok on the lever the shaft it mostly ok. HD's design on this is terrible. I can't believe they couldn't come up with a better system where it either doesn't fall off or disconnects.

Cleaned it up, put some red locktite on it felt ok but a bit of play. Quick test ride was ok.

I called around to find a replacement part, none available until end of month. Damit!

F-this Next day pull it apart, ffer didn't want to come apart, must be onto something with the red locktite.
Cleaned it, put it back together with red locktite and JB weld! And for some other reason it went in much tigher then the previous times and all the play was gone. Doesn't make any sense.
Let it sit for a few hours, went for a longer test ride to Port Perry and back no problems.

I plan to replace the parts but in the meantime should I be worried about this setup and riding?
 
sburns said:
Went for a ride on Sat and about a few k's in I lost control of my shifter. This time the shifter didn't fall off (as in here Mission Control - We've lost our shifter) it just rocked in position.

Pulled over and did some road side inspection.
This part came loose.
View attachment 50556

Used my tool kit to pull it apart and put it back together (thanks to whomever recommended the cruztools a while back, it's been very helpful)
Made it home.

Pulled it apart again to inspect it. Some of the spines are ok on the lever the shaft it mostly ok. HD's design on this is terrible. I can't believe they couldn't come up with a better system where it either doesn't fall off or disconnects.

Cleaned it up, put some red locktite on it felt ok but a bit of play. Quick test ride was ok.

I called around to find a replacement part, none available until end of month. Damit!

F-this Next day pull it apart, ffer didn't want to come apart, must be onto something with the red locktite.
Cleaned it, put it back together with red locktite and JB weld! And for some other reason it went in much tigher then the previous times and all the play was gone. Doesn't make any sense.
Let it sit for a few hours, went for a longer test ride to Port Perry and back no problems.

I plan to replace the parts but in the meantime should I be worried about this setup and riding?
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Be really careful turning in front of traffic (eg. get rolling, make the turn, change gears when clear of traffic). Other than that, I don't see how it would really get you in trouble. You still have a clutch in an oh crap situation. You will be in some gear if it fails and you have a ton of torque.
 
Well you should have some concern, until the parts are replaced. But if you have tools and feel confident in your abilities to repair / replace them then that should diminish some of the worry.
 
GreyGhost said:
Be really careful turning in front of traffic (eg. get rolling, make the turn, change gears when clear of traffic). Other than that, I don't see how it would really get you in trouble. You still have a clutch in an oh crap situation. You will be in some gear if it fails and you have a ton of torque.
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Yeah basically I am always in gear, never put it into netural at intersection. As it happened I was at a intersection cleared it and went to put it into second, and nothing. Hit the 4 ways, moved to the side of the road. Going along HWY 7 in 1st sucks :LOL:
 
I know nothing about HD's, but I did google "HD shifter issues" and there are a ton of YT videos and forum references to this issue re need for frequent inspection. Maybe there is a more permanent solution out there on HD specific forums vs. a general MC one like GTA MC
 
ReSTored said:
I know nothing about HD's, but I did google "HD shifter issues" and there are a ton of YT videos and forum references to this issue re need for frequent inspection. Maybe there is a more permanent solution out there on HD specific forums vs. a general MC one like GTA MC
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Thanks, yeah there are ton's of info on this, plus it's been around for ages, they haven't updated this config until more recently, and guess what the new design has it's own set of problems. :cautious:

One of the recommended options was red locktite which I did do. The other is well beyond me, which involves drilling and putting in a pin of some sort.
 
sburns said:
Thanks, yeah there are ton's of info on this, plus it's been around for ages, they haven't updated this config until more recently, and guess what the new design has it's own set of problems. :cautious:

One of the recommended options was red locktite which I did do. The other is well beyond me, which involves drilling and putting in a pin of some sort.
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I call BS! I've been watching along on your journey ever since you came here. You've done some serious wrenching, drilling for a pin is definitely not beyond you.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk
 
Drill a hole and insert a cotter pin, it is a better solution.
Not easy tho' as the shaft is of hardened steel and does not present a flat surface to drill easily.
What about spot brazing?
If you need to remove the lever then the brazing can be ground off.
 
If you want to try the drill & pin method, a Dremel with a small round/ball headed diamond-coated grinding bit works well for making a divot in hardened steel bolts. You can then get a drill bit started. Cobalt drill bits are a couple of bucks each at Princess Auto.
 
Shift connections have plagued many bikes over the years. Sometimes vibration, sometimes a heavy shifting foot, sometimes a weak design - sometimes a bit of everything. Here’s what I’d do.

Order the OE replacement parts, or seek out a good aftermarket kit designed to address the issue Install with blue loctite, torque to spec. This is important as too much or little torque will cause the outer lever to stretch and fatigue. I used to see this frequently in dirt bikes.

If you want to do a cross drilling mod, ( I wouldn’t do this) mark the assembly so you can get at it with a punch, take the assembled shaft and arm to a machine shop (or someone with an accurate drill press) to cross drill for a spring pin. Be sure of the position as there is no adjustment after the mod. Reinstall and tap in the pin.

Another thought is to replace the cheapie ball joints with heim joints like a Honda or Yamaha, they wobble and vibrate less and will make the mechanism feel more precise. Any bearing or tractor supply will stock them.

Add inspection and retorque to your oil change routine.
 
GreyGhost said:
Be really careful turning in front of traffic (eg. get rolling, make the turn, change gears when clear of traffic). Other than that, I don't see how it would really get you in trouble. You still have a clutch in an oh crap situation. You will be in some gear if it fails and you have a ton of torque.
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Is this why you get points on the M2X for shifting in an intersection?
Did Harley Davidson give us this demerit point?
 
Baggsy said:
Is this why you get points on the M2X for shifting in an intersection?
Did Harley Davidson give us this demerit point?
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I hate that bleeping rule. My grandfather used to drive trucks long long ago (long enough that he started his company with horses). He passed some things to my dad who passed them to me. I won't change gears when crossing railroad tracks nor if I am crossing traffic on the road (normally left at an intersection and I don't start to turn until I am in second). In every other situation, riding one gear all the way through is uncomfortable and dangerous. It may be the rule but it is dumb. They also want you to downshift through every gear including first. I don't know what brain dead public servant came up with that rule.
 
GreyGhost said:
I hate that bleeping rule. My grandfather used to drive trucks long long ago (long enough that he started his company with horses). He passed some things to my dad who passed them to me. I won't change gears when crossing railroad tracks nor if I am crossing traffic on the road (normally left at an intersection and I don't start to turn until I am in second). In every other situation, riding one gear all the way through is uncomfortable and dangerous. It may be the rule but it is dumb. They also want you to downshift through every gear including first. I don't know what brain dead public servant came up with that rule.
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Depends upon the bike.
Most probably won't notice if you're smooth.
Edit: My old V65 you could just leave in second all the time.
 
GreyGhost said:
I hate that bleeping rule. My grandfather used to drive trucks long long ago (long enough that he started his company with horses). He passed some things to my dad who passed them to me. I won't change gears when crossing railroad tracks nor if I am crossing traffic on the road (normally left at an intersection and I don't start to turn until I am in second). In every other situation, riding one gear all the way through is uncomfortable and dangerous. It may be the rule but it is dumb. They also want you to downshift through every gear including first. I don't know what brain dead public servant came up with that rule.
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I had a couple of 3-on-the-tree equipped vehicles that would jam in neutral when going from first to second. 60s and 70s mopars were notorious - the shift gates were on the column in the engine bay, they would jam in the gates between R&2 leaving you in N. You had to go under the hood with a punch and hammer to unstick the linkage.
 
GreyGhost said:
It's worse in cars. Same rules. Also, first gear in cars (and to a lesser extent bikes) can be awfully snatchy when going on and off throttle.
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Imagine my surprise when I had to valet a Ford Focus ST years back and I took it up 4 levels of parking and 1 block in only 1st gear! It was unbelievably smooth. I made a point to ask the owner about it and he said he was completely stock.

Kudos to you Ford!
 
Mad Mike said:
I had a couple of 3-on-the-tree equipped vehicles that would jam in neutral when going from first to second. 60s and 70s mopars were notorious - the shift gates were on the column in the engine bay, they would jam in the gates between R&2 leaving you in N. You had to go under the hood with a punch and hammer to unstick the linkage.
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My '64 pontiac with 3 on the tree did the same thing. Had to lay under the car, but I could even up things by hand.
 
I ordered the part, will take a couple of weeks to come in.

My JB weld and red loctite has so far secured it well, actually better then it was ever. Might have been an issue all along. Went for a longer ride yesterday and no issues. no extra play.

Thanks again everyone for the suggestions, info etc. GTAM always comes through. (y)
 
sburns said:
I ordered the part, will take a couple of weeks to come in.

My JB weld and red loctite has so far secured it well, actually better then it was ever. Might have been an issue all along. Went for a longer ride yesterday and no issues. no extra play.

Thanks again everyone for the suggestions, info etc. GTAM always comes through. (y)
Click to expand...
See, we don't all hate harleys! Glad you are up and running.
 
good plan
was skeptical of drilling the lever and shaft and inserting a roll pin
would not be a simple task and a problem if the placement was off
 
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