DOC HARLEY: GEAR SHIFTER BLUES

Doc Harley from the Service Clinic at Low Country Harley-Davidson to help you with the health of your motorcycle! This week he shares a tip on how you can avoid finding yourself with the gear shifter blues.

Doc Harley is a motorcycle technician at Low Country Harley-Davidson with over thirty years working on motorcycles. Over the years at the dealership he has worked on Harley-Davidson, Buell, and Triumph motorcycles with a few other brands here and there from trade-ins. There are thousands of how-to videos out on youtube and other websites across the world. Doc’s goal is to help solve problems that people run into when using their service manual, share insights only found as a certified Harley® technician, and some of the tips he’s picked up over the years.

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Looking to meet Doc and the other members of the LCHD team? Visit us at:
Low Country Harley-Davidson
4707 Dorchester Road
Charleston, SC 29405

[JD-enph]

Adding to the previous comment. When I checked the shifter lever it had a lot of back and forth play . I have a 2000 Heritage Softail and I do all my own work. The shifter lever was never on my radar to check but it is now. The Harley replacement bolt is part number 856A and the Canadian price is $2.25 taxes in. I use a drop of blue locktight and the Harley torque spec is 18 to 22 ft pounds. If the Harley Dealer does not have the part in stock a 5/16 - 24 x 1 inch thread socket head cap screw will work just fine. Again I would like to thank Doc Harley for a great video that probable saved me a lot of money and a lot of aggravation.

[tommyt]

Doc, I'll tell you what. You're one of the best there is and I appreciate the knowledge you're handing out.

[vet_rider-omjl]

I just went through the situation you were talking about. Had to remove the transmission inners to replace the shifter pawl assembly. Just now getting everything ready for assembly. Thanks Doc for all you do for us.

[vinnypandolfo]

I understand that our bikes wear. Yet the entire shift assembly setup needs to be addressed once and for all! This is a constant issue and it's sad that the engineers haven't addressed and remedied it. This issue continues to plague even the late model touring bikes more often than not. I get it, I've added it to my monthly checklist of things they may get loose. It's happening far too long for the engineers not to do something about it.

[olironrider]

I don’t even own a Harley.. yet I’ve learned so much from all your tips. Thanks Doc.. and to all the guys at Low Country Harley for making these videos possible.
Keep up the great work..!!!

[roostercrow]

How many went and checked their bikes shifter after watching? ...lol

[skitzdaniel]

Doc. You are really doing a good service to the public Harley owners. Keeps all of us safe.

[JD-enph]

Thank you for the information on the shifter lever. After watching the video I went out and checked mine to make sure things were tight.

[hatfieldmccoy]

If the splines go bad, you don’t have to remove the transmission from the case. Jims makes a tool where you can easily change it out while the transmission is still in the case, saves a lot of time and work! Btw I enjoy all of your videos and am a huge fan of yours!

[johnnyo]

Doc, let me tell you that was some good information. My brothers 12 Limited had that same issue and he paid out the Ying Yang to ME!!! I pulled it apart and the shaft/lever had to go. Good information Doc.

I subscribed and I will be on your channel a lot. I have a 1981 Shovelhead FXWG and she’s my pride and joy and she is a roller brother.

[WardInstruments]

This is a great video. Thank you! Just checked mine and it's very loose. (Not for long, though.)


Edit: If you need a new screw and don't want to go to the dealership, it's a 5/16 - 24 by 1" Grade 8 fastener. Takes a 1/4" Allen wrench.

[robertrosson]

Just got lucky and came across the video.I bought a 05 Soft Tail back in 2019.And I noticed a few day's ago my shifter seemed or just felt different.And sure enough.The bolt had started to become a little loose So I used a ball end and just put in a new bolt with a dab of blue lock tight on a couple of threads.And just went on and replaced the bushing on my foot shifter because it had a little more play in it than I liked.So I guess I caught it at the right time.I usaly inspect my bike nearly every time before I go riding Makes good since to check the nuts and bolts.Knowing everything is tight makes for a better ride.Was taught to check your bike by my uncle's when I was getting into bikes and that's always stayed with me.I just wish they were still around to ride with.

[tomdean]

I replaced this lever with a Beueller's Better Lever. It is a 2 piece instead of the pinch bolt. I still check it routinely, but it has never loosened in over 10 yrs.

[joshuaherndon]

Doc, I just discovered your channel recently and love the tech tips. This one hits close to home for me. I ride a 2012 Road King. In 2016 I took a road trip from Charleston to California and back. In Jamestown, CA my shifter fell off the transmission shaft. I was able to get it back on and ride it to the Harley dealer where the techs were very helpful in replacing the bolt with a new one. I think this is a major oversight on the engineers part. Why do they use a completely threaded bolt instead of using a shoulder bolt. The thin threads are subject to compression from the vibration thus allowing enough room for the lever to slide off the shaft. Fortunately the splines on my transmission shaft were not damaged. I made it back across country with no more issues although I checked the play of the lever many many times out of paranoia. When I got home I replaced the lever and the OEM bolt with a proper length shoulder bolt and installed with lock tight. That was close to 25, 000 miles ago now and it has not loosened. Thanks again for producing these videos. I have learned a lot watching them.

[ChristianXProper]

Literally this is my problem! Thank you

[darrinleazer]

I have actually seen this on my own bike. And yes' I noticed that it is loose, so' Doc I definitely appreciate you sharing this little bit of very important message. Because tomorrow morning I'm definitely going to fix that problem before it becomes a bigger problem.

[rayf]

Great info for new riders! You must! Do a precheck or preventive maintenance on your bike before every ride so you can be confident that your bike will perform and endure so you can focus on the road and enjoy the ride .Great vid Doc ! 👍✌😎

[waynesiminski]

Great tip. Most people would never think of checking that till it’s too late. Do you put a little blue thread locker on that bolt? Thanks.

[Davidm]

Really basic but essential information, Doc. Thanks a bunch

[goyeabuddy]

i had this fail on my 1989 FXLR lowrider while on a roadtrip.. my parking lot repair was, clean shaft/arm with spray cleaner,
use 271 {red} Loctite, new bolt and torque bolt as much as i could. since we were at the motel, i let the Loctite 'set-up' for
12 hrs or so.. this repair worked well, so well that i used the bike for 8 more years before i sold it with this repair!