Need help from any of you that have changed your shift linkage. I purchased a new shift linkage from my dealer for my 06 Road King. When i installed the new one i found that the linkage moves a bit back and forth or "north" and "south" even after the acorn nuts are tight. I am not sure if the linkage should not move at all or if this is normal that there is movement. The instructions (HD part# 33851-02) say to match the length of the exsisting shifter and torque the nuts to 13-16 ft/lbs, but it says nothing if the linkage should be "tight" front to back. I cannot remember if there was that slight "wobble" in the stock one when i removed it. i hope i am describing my problem correctly and hope anyone will be able help. Thanks for any help.

 

I'm not sure I understand but, if I do, it's normal to have some "play" in it.

 

If you set the linkage up the same length maybe check your heel toe shiters for slop. You may have to adj. them in our out on the spline to get them slop free. And don't forget the loctite.

 

if you've got slop in the shifter after installing the new linkage, you might find that the play is somewhere else.

 

The ends can be adjusted on the linkage.

 

The play may likely be on the spline shaft behind the primary.

 

The "stock type" linkage has quite a bit of play in it.

I changed to the... other style... where the bolts go through the hole with the goofy "u-joint" looking thing -- Shifts are much more solid with it, IMO/E.

 

Well here's one for you; I had new tires installed on the RK last week at the local HD Dlr. One ride later my shift linkage comes apart at the forward connection. Makes one wonder.

 

First of all for duoglider, those things are always a day away from coming apart anyway.
The u-joint thing is called a heim joint and there should not be any play in that. Not sure from your description if your new shift rod is an oem replacement or an upgrade. If it's the oem I'm thinking you could have replaced the ends only. The heim joint type should have no slop so look for it somewhere else as everyone has said.

 

changed mine on my 08 and had no problem.