Just installed a shift linkage with heim ends. Got everything tightened down, but noticed that the heim itself has a little rotational movement when playing with the shifter, and looks like it's moving around a little too easily.

Guess I'm a little weirded out by it not staying in one place. So, the question is: Is it supposed to move that easily? Everything is tight (bolts holding it on, nut adjusting the length).

Am I screwing something up, or is this natural? Thanks for the support...the older we get, the more we worry I guess

 

Mine does the samething.

All heims are not the same.Some may be looser than others.

 

No worries. They have some play inherent in the design.

 

Thanks 1FLHTK and boog. Figured that was the way it was, I just hate seeing loose things anywhere on the bike. I'll keep the original in the saddlebag in case somebody needs it out on the road.

Other than flipping the front bolt around so it comes outward instead of inward (the long "wire nut in appearance" nut was way too long to clear the cylinders), and the "looseness" of the heim joints, this was an easy 10 minute swap out.

 

I've also noticed that every few thousand miles or so, you should put a few drops of lube (I use Triflow) on the joints. Or else they can get a little noisy. Enough so that my friends riding with me noticed the noise when riding next to me every time I shift.

 

alot of the cosmetic shifter linkages forget that the whole thing is on gimbels.

If they were to design so that the mass is below the center of attachment the lickages sure would look better.

Mike

 

FWIW, heim joints are not forever. Keep (ride) your bike long enough and you will find out.

 

there's a big range of quality when it comes to heim joints, also known as spherical rod end bearings. i found that out when putting together the throttle linkage and other controls on one of my old hot rods. speedway motors in lincoln nebraska has a great selection, and the cheapest ones are loose, where the better quality ones have much tighter tolerances meaning almost zero slop. it makes a difference. look in streetrodder magazine for ideas as to where to find great quality rod end bearings.

 

I went with the round, polished linkage from Landmark (http://www.landmarkmfg.com/Linkage_Round.html) and I'm impressed with it, just didn't know if this type of joint should have some movement to it when moved by the hand. I expected some play while being operated by the foot though since there's more force being applied.

 

I bought mine from McMaster-Carr when I made a new shift rod.They are 303 stainless.
Had them on my old '06 Road Glide for thousands of miles and put the assy. on my new Limited.They have held up well.