Forward control shifting
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
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Forward control shifting
I just installed my forward controls last night. While they are a blessing for my long legs the long front arm means I lost leverage and travel for shifting. This makes shifting stiff and neutral almost impossible to find.
Stock midmount shifting was so easy and had enough feedback I could feel everything the mechanism was doing.
I should add that I didn't tear the primary apart and just used the stock rear arm.
I guess I will drill the front arm for a lower hookup point.
Has anyone else done this and did you have to make an offest bushing to keep the shift rod from binding on the curved part of the front arm? How far down did you go with the new hole?
Tnx
Steve
Stock midmount shifting was so easy and had enough feedback I could feel everything the mechanism was doing.
I should add that I didn't tear the primary apart and just used the stock rear arm.
I guess I will drill the front arm for a lower hookup point.
Has anyone else done this and did you have to make an offest bushing to keep the shift rod from binding on the curved part of the front arm? How far down did you go with the new hole?
Tnx
Steve
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 17
RE: Forward control shifting
No problems here either. You may need to make an adjustment to the shift linkage rod. I assume you know that the bike should be in nuetral and then adjust the shifter pedal by adjusting the shifter rod to your liking for comfort when shiftin upward .
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 397
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From: Queen Creek, Az
RE: Forward control shifting
ya is this the new 6 speeds cuz i can find neutral no prob never even crossed my mind as an issue. dont get me wrong its definatly got more slop thanjust the stock mid shifter had but ive been ridin all kids of bikes since i was waist high so i guess its just second nature for me. i have heardf of the newer bikes doing this and guys buying the short trans shift arm to tighten up the shift throw but i think your idea will be cheaper and easier. but just try ridin a lil more and see if it just was the first ride that made it hard cuz its soo differant than what you were used to.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 791
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From: New Hampshire
RE: Forward control shifting
Need more info....what is your bike? What forward control kit did you install? HD, Kuryakyn, Drag Specialties, etc?
I have an 07 Bob and just installed the Kuryakyn kit for the Dyna. Except for a slight decrease in leverage from 1st to 2nd, I feel no differences from the mid shift, except as mentioned previous a bit more slop and a bit less feedback. But the comfort factor more than makes up for it. Just have to think a bit when shifting into 2nd, and I've only ridden it twice since install.Just need to get used to it more than anything else. Finding neutral is as easy as it was with the mid.
I have not seen any binding, but I am going to look at the linkage when I get home today to make sure.
I have an 07 Bob and just installed the Kuryakyn kit for the Dyna. Except for a slight decrease in leverage from 1st to 2nd, I feel no differences from the mid shift, except as mentioned previous a bit more slop and a bit less feedback. But the comfort factor more than makes up for it. Just have to think a bit when shifting into 2nd, and I've only ridden it twice since install.Just need to get used to it more than anything else. Finding neutral is as easy as it was with the mid.
I have not seen any binding, but I am going to look at the linkage when I get home today to make sure.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,909
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From: Livingston, Texas
RE: Forward control shifting
You might of gotten a shift linkage that has slop in the joints and ain't adjusted right. Look who did the work !
You haven't even given yerself time to git used to the thing either.
I've rode with forward controls over 1/2 my like and for me thats the way to go. But I'm just a Redneck so it might be different for me. Mabe you should git push button shifting.
You haven't even given yerself time to git used to the thing either.
I've rode with forward controls over 1/2 my like and for me thats the way to go. But I'm just a Redneck so it might be different for me. Mabe you should git push button shifting.
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Cruiser
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RE: Forward control shifting
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You might of gotten a shift linkage that has slop in the joints and ain't adjusted right. Look who did the work !
You haven't even given yerself time to git used to the thing either.
I've rode with forward controls over 1/2 my like and for me thats the way to go. But I'm just a Redneck so it might be different for me. Mabe you should git push button shifting.
You might of gotten a shift linkage that has slop in the joints and ain't adjusted right. Look who did the work !
You haven't even given yerself time to git used to the thing either.
I've rode with forward controls over 1/2 my like and for me thats the way to go. But I'm just a Redneck so it might be different for me. Mabe you should git push button shifting.
Bike is 08 super glide and forward controls are moco. There is no adjustment on these except for rider preference of shifter angle - adjusting the shift lever on the splines. Bushing slop and fit is about what I expected and not excessive.
I didn't take the primary apart and used the stock rear shifter arm.
It worked fine but has a very short throw and therefore high effort. High effort means I go right past neutral when trying to find it.
A new hole 7/8 in down from the original on the front arm of the forward control solved the problem. This gives more leverage, more travel, and easy to find neutral.
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