MY HARLEY ULTRA CLASSIC "1999 " SHIFTER SEEMS TOO LOOSE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

my 1999 ultra classic fuel filter is in the tank

There's only two things that could possibly make contact with the top cover and cause any problem. One is the shifter pawl and the other is neutral switch.

The shifter pawl return springs are notorious for breaking in the five speed transmissions. I've replaced a load of them. Take your foot shifter pedal and lift up on it until the transmisson just tries to shift. Then go back to the center position and press the lever down until the transmission just tries to shift. Does the spring pressure feel the about the same in both directions. If not, the shifter pawl return spring is broken.

With the top off, you can inspect the small spring on the sfifter pawl itself. See if that spring is broken. This is about the only thing that I know of in a five speed that will cause shifting problems. But then, I never claimed to know it all.

Good Luck
Steve

Check the wiring within the headlight shell--look for connectors that may be corroded or pulled loose. A little WD-40 will favor connection integrity when sprayed into the connectors, then coupling and uncoupling them several times. Hope this helps!

No oil pan plug, it is a sump system. Just find the oil tank, drain it, change the filter.

shifter lever that connects to shifter pawl has some left to right wobble. Check bolt it is tight,so I shortened Rod between shifter lever 3 turns, now it shifts great. This winter will take apart and replace parts that are worn. Thanks for your help.