I have been having a problem where every few months one on my shifters (front or rear), or the arm in the back that connects to the the linkage, comes loose from the knurled shaft.  I have tried Loctite and still have the same problem.

Any suggestions on how to keep this darn thing tight?

Popper, I have had that same issue several times in the past. Between the engine vibration and the heating and cooling of the parts (since it does run through the engine block), even Loctite doesn't seem to prevent it.

Not sure if anyone else has any suggestions, but I tighten those every time I change my oil.

Now I love my rear shifter, but I always hated the fact that it got in the way while riding and I couldn't move my foot back. I noticed though that when I shifted, because of the angle of my foot, I was actually hitting more of the shifter arm with my heel than the shifter peg.

So here is what I did. It allows me to shirt just fine with my heel, but is out of the way for riding...

or maybe just take it off, wrap some black electrical tape around the threads then rethread the shifter back on! This should do the trick!

Plumber's tape(white PVC tape) is another option. Not quite as thick as the electrical tape so it conforms to the threads easily.

I like that rear shifter suggestion there Lucky!

CarLow,

I also added these Floorborad Spacers from SoftBrake which extend the floorboards out about 3/4".  That really allows you to put your entire boot squarly on the floorboard.  I recommend them for anyone who has a Harley touring model.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Put the heavy duty loctite and will check it often.

Lucky, thanks for the suggestion on the rear shifter...modified mine last weekend and love it! Now I need to get the floorboard spacers.

Try putting one of thoes star lock washers and locktite make sure you use the right locktite extra hold

Star lockwashers work great also there are different strength of locktite. Blue works well for 1/4 inch or smaller, Red works well up to 3/4 inch and Purple is industrial and works well from there up. Trust me on this I ride an 82 Wode Glide Shovel, The Milwalkee Vibrator.

solid idea on the heel shifter lucky. i completely removed mine and made a spacer to fill the void, my last bike was a cruiser with floorboards, i just stood the shifter up and shifted with my heel over the top

I had my heel shifter come loose on me. I tried tightening it up but that didn't work. I have nerve damage in my left leg & foot and can't toe shift very well. I have to pick my whole leg up from the hip even to heel shift. Turns out i was stomping a little too hard, at times, on the heel shifter. The problem was also complicated bye Harley using a combination of steel and aluminium on the shifting parts (Not sure which was which). You also have to be careful not to over tighten the Allen head bolts that hold the shifters onto the shifter spline, and make sure the bolts are lined up in the shifter spline grooves. I eventually replaced the shifter spline and heel shifter. I made sure I didn't over tighten the bolts. I also don't stomp on shifts any more

Star washer and blue loctite should do the trick. But check it regularly, you should check all hardware occasionally.

Be careful as you can wear out the spline over time. If it happens while you're on the road, you're screwed! Check it regularly and use loctite. It wouldn't hurt to put a little grease on it too.

Four months and 9,000 miles. Just checked it and its just as tight as I left it!!!

By the way Lucky. Got those floorboard spacers. It is amazing how much of a difference just 3/4" can make. That is all you need to get your foot fully on the floor board!

Safety Wire.........
www.turnoneracing.com/joesafetywire.htm

Don't care for the heel shifter had it on my Goldwing.