Hi, My 21 year old Heritage Softail (1992 EVO) won’t return gear when placed into second upwards. Do I need to take the gear box out to fix the pawl?
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Kenny, yes, you will have to remove the gear set. Be sure to replace the entire Harley shifter pawl assembly; not just the spring. It will also be a good time to replace all of your bearings including: main drive gear bearing, main shaft and counter shaft bearings, trap door bearings, throw out bearing, inner primary bearing; if your budget allows. Thanks for your question.
Tool: Adjustment is easiest to do in instances when the primary drive is removed. However, the adjustment can still be made with, either, a specialty tool or with modified 11/16″ and 1/4″ wrenches. Loosen the 11/16″ jam nut and make small adjustments with the 1/4″ wrench. Suggest finding 2 sacrificial wrenches. 11/16″ & 1/4″. Bend, cut, grind them as needed.
Related Fix My Hog Videos:
Harley Shifter Shaft Seal Replacement
Shifter Pawl Adjustment: Tips and Techniques
Stripped Harley Shifter Shaft
Motorcycle Pegs Shifter Upgrade
Harley 5 Speed Transmission Project
Harley 6 Speed Transmission Rebuild
Have more questions? Check out our Q&A index page to find some answers.
How,can I tell the difference between a broken and a loose shifter paw on a1996 flht
If you have a broken shifter pawl spring, the transmission shift arm will not return on its own.
If you have a broken shifter pawl shaft, you will not be able to shift at all.
There is really no way for a shift pawl assembly to be considered loose.
If it is sloppy and has a lot of play; either the shaft is broken, or the spring.
Thanks
Where did you buy the pawl adjustment tools for adjusting pawl without taking bike apart
Dear Jd,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
The tool in the demonstration was purchased decades ago.
It may no longer be available.
As an alternative, find sacrificial 11/16″ & 1/4″ combination wrenches. Grind & bend the wrenches as needed to make adjustment.
Be sure to remove shift linkage from rear shift arm.
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