The stock shift linkage on your Harley-Davidson exhibits subpar quality, and it's not a matter of if, but when it will encounter a failure, potentially leaving you stranded. This assessment is drawn from extensive experience over many years, witnessing numerous failures, often occurring during long trips in remote locations. In the event of such a failure, preparedness is key, and we recommend the Cruz Tools RTH3 Roll Up Motorcycle Travel Tool Kit For Harley. This kit includes Harley-specific tools, zip ties, and tape, enabling you to temporarily address a broken stock Harley shift linkage until you can procure a replacement. (see video below)
The impending failure of your Harley shift linkage can be attributed to its construction with inexpensive metal and the presence of pressed balls & sockets on both ends for attachment to the shifter arms. The ball and socket undergo wear, eventually causing the ball to dislodge. Once this separation occurs, reinsertion becomes impractical due to the worn-out nature of the ball and socket. The variability in the timing of these failures is observed, with some linkages succumbing sooner than others.
Related Video Link (Must Watch-this will fail too on your Harley)
Install Video:
Harley has maintained the use of the same stock linkage for an extended period. I highly advise considering an early replacement with the Kuryakyn replacement shift linkage, a product we have extensively tested for over a decade and covered many thousands of miles. Personally, it's among the initial components I upgrade on any new Harley in my possession. The Kuryakyn replacement offers a cost-effective solution, providing assurance against the inconvenience of potential breakdowns during long journeys where we consistently cover substantial distances.
⚠️⚠️ ➜YOU SHOULD REPLACE THIS SAFETY ITEM IMMEDIATELY ON YOUR HARLEY ⚠️⚠️
Upon obtaining the Kuryakyn replacement shift linkage for Harley and conducting a side-by-side comparison with the stock counterpart, the discernible disparity in quality becomes evident. The Kuryakyn linkage boasts a sturdier build, crafted from superior metal, and employs heim joints as opposed to the pressed ball and socket system found in the stock version. Remarkably, we have yet to encounter a failure with the Kuryakyn shift linkage for Harley, and there is a high level of confidence that it will continue to uphold its reliability.
You can get the Kuryakyn shift linkage for Harley in black, chrome, or black/raw aluminum right in the Law Abiding Biker Store!
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Kuryakyn shift linkage fits:
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles:
- '80-UP Electra Glides, Road Glides, Road Kings, Street Glides & Tour Glides
'09-UP Trikes - '86-UP Softail Models (except '97-'99 FLSTS, '18-UP FXLR\S & FXBB)
Options:
- black
- chrome
- black/raw aluminum
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