Shift shaft/arm failure related to heel shifters?
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 447
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From: South Carolina
Shift shaft/arm failure related to heel shifters?
I am trying to decide if heel shifters play any part in the premature wear of a shifter shaft or shift arm. Over the past few years I have noticed bikes with heel shifters tend to wear out the splines on the shifter shaft and/or shifter arm faster than bikes without them. Is this my imagination? Just a coincidence? Or am I putting too much thought into this?
Ive had several riding brothers have their shifter shaft/arm fail with no warning. We all already know about the issue with the shaft and/or arm wearing and failing. A couple of my friends found the shaft on their bikes worn while doing maintenance. At least one of them was running down the road when the shaft slipped out of the arm on the inside of the primary and fell off the motorcycle. All of these guys are riders and all of them maintain their bikes. All of them run and use heel shifters.
I have never used a heel shifter. If the bike has one on it when I buy the bike the heel shifter is normally the first thing to go when I get home. I have no real issue with them I just dont use them. I have also never had a shifter shaft or arm wear out. I ride with a couple of other guys that dont use heel shifters and normally remove them like I do. Neither of them have ever experienced a shifter part failure. Now I do check all the bolts in the shifter assemblies on my bikes regularly to be sure nothing has loosened up. Tighten anything that has loosened up and normally add a little blue Loctite to any I find loose. This may have something to do with why Ive not had one fail to date.
So, what say you? Are heel shifters contributing to the shifter failures? Has anyone else noticed this relationship? Is this just a coincidence?
Ive had several riding brothers have their shifter shaft/arm fail with no warning. We all already know about the issue with the shaft and/or arm wearing and failing. A couple of my friends found the shaft on their bikes worn while doing maintenance. At least one of them was running down the road when the shaft slipped out of the arm on the inside of the primary and fell off the motorcycle. All of these guys are riders and all of them maintain their bikes. All of them run and use heel shifters.
I have never used a heel shifter. If the bike has one on it when I buy the bike the heel shifter is normally the first thing to go when I get home. I have no real issue with them I just dont use them. I have also never had a shifter shaft or arm wear out. I ride with a couple of other guys that dont use heel shifters and normally remove them like I do. Neither of them have ever experienced a shifter part failure. Now I do check all the bolts in the shifter assemblies on my bikes regularly to be sure nothing has loosened up. Tighten anything that has loosened up and normally add a little blue Loctite to any I find loose. This may have something to do with why Ive not had one fail to date.
So, what say you? Are heel shifters contributing to the shifter failures? Has anyone else noticed this relationship? Is this just a coincidence?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,465
From: Charleston, SC
I'm in the " Yes, heel shifters cause issues" camp. I quit using the heel shifter in 2011. I haven't had problems since then. I know that's not scientific proof but since the Techs at my dealer said don't do it, I quit and haven't had a problem since. The Techs told me that it is just too hard to keep from putting too much pressure on the linkage when you use your heel. You can modulate the pressure with your toe a lot better.
I have a heel shifter on mine, but haven't used it at all. I did notice the toe shifter was becoming loose and upon inspection found some wear in the shifter shaft and shift linkage, so I replaced all of it as well as the bushings. Also added a grease fitting to the shaft boss and retorqued the trans shift arm with some Loctite. The new shift linkage uses heim joints and seems much better than the original design.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 367
Likes: 351
From: Long Island NY
I use the heel shifter all the time. I do notice that at times I push down hard to change gears. I can see that becoming an issue. I have heard about this problem before and may just start using the heel shifter less.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 11,155
From: San Diego, CA
FWIW....
I like the heel shifter. I have it on my current 3 Twin Cam bikes, two Softaiils and a Bagger... I even added it to my FXSTS Springer (Oh.. the humanity!). I have had it on a previous twin cam bagger, and an EVO Softail... I even moved the mid controls on my 1980 FXS lowrider (bought new in 1980) to forward controls, with a heel/toe shifter. I rode that bike with heel/toe shifter for 7 years..
I am not a stomping shifter by habit, but won't deny I have made a few vigorous shifts in my life.... I always check the shifter bolts (both foot shifters and both shifter shafts) at my oil changes... only a couple times have I found one loose.. I also always change out the shift rod for one with heim joints...
I have yet to have an issue with any splines on any of the shift shaft spline connections....
I bought my '16 bagger used with 12K miles. At 16 K miles I noticed the heel/toe shifter was loose, but splines were tight.... I had to change the bushings to that horizontal shaft, in the inner primary cover... But I have no idea how that bike was teated prior to my ownership...
My completely anecdotal evidence is not extensive, but with my shifting habits and maintenance habits, I have not had a problem....
I am not trying to fix blame for shifter linkage failures, just sharing my experience....
I like the heel shifter. I have it on my current 3 Twin Cam bikes, two Softaiils and a Bagger... I even added it to my FXSTS Springer (Oh.. the humanity!). I have had it on a previous twin cam bagger, and an EVO Softail... I even moved the mid controls on my 1980 FXS lowrider (bought new in 1980) to forward controls, with a heel/toe shifter. I rode that bike with heel/toe shifter for 7 years..
I am not a stomping shifter by habit, but won't deny I have made a few vigorous shifts in my life.... I always check the shifter bolts (both foot shifters and both shifter shafts) at my oil changes... only a couple times have I found one loose.. I also always change out the shift rod for one with heim joints...
I have yet to have an issue with any splines on any of the shift shaft spline connections....
I bought my '16 bagger used with 12K miles. At 16 K miles I noticed the heel/toe shifter was loose, but splines were tight.... I had to change the bushings to that horizontal shaft, in the inner primary cover... But I have no idea how that bike was teated prior to my ownership...
My completely anecdotal evidence is not extensive, but with my shifting habits and maintenance habits, I have not had a problem....
I am not trying to fix blame for shifter linkage failures, just sharing my experience....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,210
Likes: 3,040
From: St.Louis Mo.
I never have liked the heel shifter and take it off when ever a new bike comes into my life. The problem with them is they are made out of soft metal and strip out. I have seen so many people stomping on that thing it's no wonder they strip out.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 3,799
From: Cape Cod
I put a 2" extended heel shifter on mine and love it, been there about 30k miles now, I dont slam it often, but the 2" extension gives my boot more room on the boards.
So it's not like it's in the way.
Haven't had a problem with any of it.......
So it's not like it's in the way.
Haven't had a problem with any of it.......
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 6,884
From: NC
I had 150,000+ miles on my 1989 ElectraGlide with a heel shifter and no issues. 2002 ElectraGlide at 55k didn't have any issues. I doubt my 2019 will have issues. Perhaps it the users? I do not stomp on shift levers.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 2,996
From: Charleston, SC
I'm in the camp that heel shifting wears out components faster if not used delicately....
Some use the weight of their whole leg when they heel shift. When you toe shift, it's typically just your toe + required muscles.
Just replaced my bushing and shifter shaft after 50K miles - wasn't much fun, but it's sooo much easier getting the bike into neutral using the heel shifter. The only reason I run one.
Note: Like others, I run an extended rear lever for more foot room.
Some use the weight of their whole leg when they heel shift. When you toe shift, it's typically just your toe + required muscles.
Just replaced my bushing and shifter shaft after 50K miles - wasn't much fun, but it's sooo much easier getting the bike into neutral using the heel shifter. The only reason I run one.
Note: Like others, I run an extended rear lever for more foot room.
Last edited by lp; Jun 21, 2022 at 02:47 PM.