Shifting from First to Second : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

davidtn · 08-11-2009, 11:46 AM

I have a 2002 Road King Classic and have recently experienced a problem when shifting from 1st to 2nd. From time to time it doesn't always engage in gear when shifting. I only experience this from 1st to 2nd gear. The shift lever is somewhat close to the footboard so I'm wondering if it is not allowing the lever to be fully depressed. I can reposition it upward to see if that fixes the problem. The only reason I think this might not be the problem is that this problem has just started and the lever hasn't been repositioned in over a year.

What say ye who are smarter on all things mechanical? Other than repositioning the lever, what else should be checked?

strokerjlk · 08-11-2009, 11:49 AM

sounds like it is your shifter pawl adj.

davidtn · 08-11-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strokerjlk

sounds like it is your shifter pawl adj.

If that's the case, how much time should it take a mechanic to fix it? Thanks so much for your help stroker.

thrasher · 08-11-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidtn

I have a 2002 Road King Classic and have recently experienced a problem when shifting from 1st to 2nd. From time to time it doesn't always engage in gear when shifting. I only experience this from 1st to 2nd gear. The shift lever is somewhat close to the footboard so I'm wondering if it is not allowing the lever to be fully depressed. I can reposition it upward to see if that fixes the problem. The only reason I think this might not be the problem is that this problem has just started and the lever hasn't been repositioned in over a year.

What say ye who are smarter on all things mechanical? Other than repositioning the lever, what else should be checked?

1st gear to 2nd gear is up,... not down,... or perhaps are you using a heel shifter that you think is positioned too close to the floorboard?

davidtn · 08-11-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrasher

1st gear to 2nd gear is up,... not down,... or perhaps are you using a heel shifter that you think is positioned too close to the floorboard?

I'm heel shifting so in that context it's down.

hamyoo06 · 08-11-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidtn

I'm heel shifting so in that context it's down.

So, have you tried toe-shifting to see if you have the same problem?

davidtn · 08-11-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamyoo06

So, have you tried toe-shifting to see if you have the same problem?

I haven't toe shifted since my Honda days back in the 70's! But what the heck, I'll give it whirl. If the problem goes away by toe shifting then do you think it's due to the heel shifter needing to be repositioned higher so it doesn't touch the floorboard?

thrasher · 08-11-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidtn

I haven't toe shifted since my Honda days back in the 70's! But what the heck, I'll give it whirl. If the problem goes away by toe shifting then do you think it's due to the heel shifter needing to be repositioned higher so it doesn't touch the floorboard?

Even if you toe shift, if the heel shifter is too close its still going to hit. If it didn't do misshift before (and you didn't reposition the shift levers) I doubt it,... unless of course the heel shift lever slipped a spline. That could be...

Also check the shift linkage rod for loose bolts and adjustment.

strokerjlk · 08-11-2009, 05:17 PM

after thinking about it if it only happens from 1 st to 2 nd then it probably isnt your pawl adj. or the pawl spring broke.
if it happens in all the other gears then it could be the pawl.
easy way to tell is . after shifting into 1st lightly lift up on the shifter to reset the pawl manually. if it happens in the up gears also..lightly push down on the shifter to reset pawl before going to the next gear.

davidtn · 08-11-2009, 05:36 PM

It only does it from 1st to second so that's what has me puzzled. It seems like if the shifter was hitting the floorboard then the problem would manifest itself with all gear shifts.

Thanks for your tips Thrasher and Stroker. I'll get it checked out and report back as to what the problem was.

NHFree1 · 08-11-2009, 08:39 PM

I haven't actually measured the travel, but I think my shifter travel is slightly more going between 1st and 2nd than between any other gears. I notice it more when downshifting from 2nd to 1st. It may be slightly more space between gears to hit neutral....or it may all be in my head. The simple solution is to adjust your heel shifter up a tooth on the shifter shaft and see if it solves the problem. It's only one allen screw to loosten it and move it.

davidtn · 08-11-2009, 09:13 PM

Works for me NH.

Thorns · 08-12-2009, 08:25 AM

07 RK here. This has happened to me with the Harleys I've owned, and usually it's just me not performing a solid shift. I noticed this happening after a long ride, hot ambient temps, and I'm a little tired. I don't realize it until I've miss 2nd gear, and the engine revs a little to wake me up. The next time I shift is solid as my brain tells my boot and leg not to be so lazy. This might not be your case, YMMV.

Thorns

davidtn · 08-12-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorns

07 RK here. This has happened to me with the Harleys I've owned, and usually it's just me not performing a solid shift. I noticed this happening after a long ride, hot ambient temps, and I'm a little tired. I don't realize it until I've miss 2nd gear, and the engine revs a little to wake me up. The next time I shift is solid as my brain tells my boot and leg not to be so lazy. This might not be your case, YMMV.

Thorns

Initially I thought perhaps this was the case with me as well but it has happened even when I've been deliberate about shifting harder.

Stay tuned and I'll let everyone know if it turns out to be something minor or not so minor.

Coolmaker · 08-12-2009, 05:59 PM

Sounds like a good time to go to a Baker 6 speed and no more problems.