One more question....would this be #16 from above?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transmissio...ash=item4d28aee204:g:KTQAAOSwiCRUdS0C&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transmissio...ash=item4d28aee204:g:KTQAAOSwiCRUdS0C&vxp=mtr
How about a picture.
Quick question. Is it the shaft or the arm that fails, or both? I'm only at around 5000 miles on my bike but I'd like to be prepared. Also someone said the shift rod was junk and I can see that but how do you make the shifting assembly bullet proof?
Astars,
As Aviator says, it is indeed "usually" the forward shifter arm that fails. However, the OP of this thread had both shaft & arm fail. I also had both of those fail back in '06. I had a special custom HIGHLY POLISHED Stainless shift arm put on my Ultra at the dealer before I took delivery...Bling was my Thing back then.Lol. (BIG MISTAKE...As Aviator said, the stock arm is made with slightly weaker steel almost like "pot metal" for a reason). It also didn't help that the tech that installed my "Custom One", put it on improperly, and it was straining both the arm itself and the shifter shaft. I thought it was pretty cool that the dealer admitted "Their Bad". They were willing to pay for the more expensive Stainless Arm, but I opted to go back to OEM after some "counseling" from an older, more experienced Harley Tech. The system is NEVER going to be totally "bulletproof". BUT... There are things you can do. First, routine maintenance should include a check (inspection) of the pinch bolts, on not only your forward arm, but also the rear arm attached to your tranny shaft, as well as both shift levers and the shifter rod. These parts rarely, if ever "suddenly" decide to go. It is pretty much ALWAYS an "over time" failure and you learn about it when it's already TOO LATE. The tranny, (or REAR) arm is tougher to get to, but if it fails, you are in for a rude awakening and lots-o-cash flying out of your wallet. Warranties are great, but most guys don't stop riding or get a new bike after the warranty expires (MOST guys). I use a special 1/4" drive extension and also a modified 1/4" drive allen socket (ground down to fit in the tight location) and a very bright LED mini work light to check tightness of the tranny arm pinch bolt. More often than not, failures are caused by what I (& my dealer's service dept. shop foreman) call "SHIFT STOMPING". You should NOT have to stomp on your shifter to change gears, but I see it all the time. It's like they're training for a UFC match. Lol
A lot of Harley guys wear big heavy boots, and hammer the shifter lever peg (or pads) like they're trying to drive the shifter through the footboards. NOT NECESSARY. ...especially if your tranny has good "specially formulated tranny fluid". My tranny shifts like butter, and I've learned, over the years. that a very light touch works just fine when shifting (up or down) and your components LAST LONGER (I happen to wear lighter Alpine Stars boots).
I really don't wanna' get in to the "which oil is best fiasco", but, I personally use RED-LINE V-TWIN TRANSMISSION OIL WITH SHOCKPROOF (has what they call "Shock-Proof" additives). It has made a world of difference in how smooth my tranny shifts. Just some thoughts from an old geezer.
Ride Safe