HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => General => Topic started by: roadkingdresser on April 24, 2025, 11:17:40 AM

Title: shifter lever
Post by: roadkingdresser on April 24, 2025, 11:17:40 AM
Is it possible to change the shift lever on the transmission without taking the primary or the trans. out on a 2002 road king. I know the later models you can.
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: xlfan on April 24, 2025, 12:17:41 PM
I have never been able to. Have always taken off inner primary cover.
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: calif phil on April 24, 2025, 12:27:11 PM
Unfortunately XLFAN is right, off it comes.  Buy a Baker Truss lever and then you should never have to do it again. 
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: Hossamania on April 24, 2025, 12:36:20 PM
Some have gotten in there with a Dremel or similar to cut the old one out, then installed a new two piece unit.
It's called Better Lever, but it's $260!. Not even sure if it's available any more, website is still up.
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: Dan89flstc on April 24, 2025, 02:41:23 PM
Quote from: Hossamania on April 24, 2025, 12:36:20 PMSome have gotten in there with a Dremel or similar to cut the old one out, then installed a new two piece unit.
It's called Better Lever, but it's $260!. Not even sure if it's available any more, website is still up.

I would rather pull two inner primary covers then cut a shifter off in that tight space.

Those guys at better lever have people conned into thinking that removing an inner primary cover is rocket science.

$250 for a shifter lever is absurd.

Pull the inner primary cover and replace the shift lever, the most important thing to remember is keep that bolt tight, check it as regular maintenance.

Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: nibroc on April 24, 2025, 03:03:15 PM
 :scoot:



 :chop: any pics?
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: capn on April 24, 2025, 03:39:37 PM
Have a better lever on my 97 flht paid around 100 over 5 yrs. ago. Still tight but not worth 250 bucks.
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: roadkingdresser on April 24, 2025, 04:09:18 PM
I was pretty sure that the primary had to come off and i'm not going to get in there with a dremel and I know he's not going to put $250 out for the shifter. So he'll have to wait till i'm unbusy. Thanks for the input!
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: kd on April 24, 2025, 06:17:14 PM
Use the Search feature on the site.  There is a suggested workaround with the loose leaver used by members that sometimes works well. It involves using a different fastener that will take more torque hense getting a better squeeze if it's not too wallowed out.
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: fbn ent on April 24, 2025, 07:21:17 PM
The fix for me was to put green loctite on the splines, It's a bit hard to get it off again but worth not having to worry about it... :bike:
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: RoadKingKohn on April 24, 2025, 07:38:26 PM
loctite is the solution for everything on a Harley.
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: FXDBI on April 24, 2025, 09:19:44 PM
Quote from: RoadKingKohn on April 24, 2025, 07:38:26 PMloctite is the solution for everything on a Harley.

Blue is my glue. Been using blue loctite sparingly on every bolt I assemble on motorcycles since the 70s. Red where the manual calls for it only.   :nix:  Works for me.  Bob
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: smoserx1 on April 25, 2025, 06:20:31 AM
Not really practical (if even possible) with primary on  Replace lever & use grade 8 hex bolt instead of Allen head one.  That way you can get some serious torque on it.

DSCN0009 smaller.jpg
Title: Re: shifter lever
Post by: JSD on April 25, 2025, 08:31:03 PM
I fitted the steel Baker . Primary was off