The Harley Hummer Club

Ive lucked out over the years. I found a full NOS set of the -59R second and the extra close ratio-62R third > Had another set of the 59R second and third and sold them to Neil Perry. I also had 3 sets of main shaft and first close ratio gears made. They work awesome. I believe I have main shaft second 59R and counter shaft third gears stashed back.If I can ever find their mates, I will see about making 25 sets of the gears

Look at all the old tyme (intentionally spelled that way) photos. They did what they had to do. When I finally sold my '46 Indian Chief after 40 years the guy was amazed at what was in my saddlebags... and what I was including in the deal. I told him,
"If you're really a rider you know that it's better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it". He didn't disagree.

Back when I was riding a 55 Hummer, I never had a problem with a slipping shift lever. Rode this bike to and from work as well as scrambles and enduro competition.

That said, I wouldn't try a drilled through shear pin. If slipping were a problem, one thing I would try would be a round key.

Drill a small hole, say 1/8" or maybe a bit smaller along the axis of the shaft right were the clamp slot is, tap in the round key, and then tighten the clamp bolt. The drilled hole has to be partly in the shift shaft, and partly in the shift lever.

Sorry, I don't have the Hummer parts to check how feasible this idea might be.

During this same time period, we were running a 197 cc Villiers. The kick start shaft and shift lever were very soft material, and even though they were splined, sheared splines was a common problem. This round key idea was the recommended solution.

The round key sounds like a good solution. But what is a round key? I can picture what your describing I think but I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of a round key.
Thanks again!!

I have run into this problem too. I know of two simple fixes. One is non destructive. Make sure the shaft and lever are clean and dry then use chalk on the shaft when you tighten the bolt. The other plan is a bit destructive but works better. Once the lever is on the shaft, drill a small hole at the split line opposite the tightening bolt so the bit is half cutting into the shaft and half into the lever and insert a small screw or dowel pin.

Another thing to try that might work is thread locker on the shaft.

Round key? like a square key but only round. Houserjw describes it better than I did.

Set Screw!
Works for me.....possibly for you too!?
Good luck!

Thanks for all the tips. In the picture is that a set screw opposite the split on the shifter lever? And is it actually threaded into the lever only or through lever and into the shaft? Thanks

Set screw turned to A point........minor dimple in the shaft for the set screw to bite in to.