Heel & Toe Shifter

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Jun 16, 2010 | 03:56 AM

#11

LouEyez

Cruiser

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 222

Likes: 0

From: Geneva, Switzerland

Hi Seemedo,

Thanks for the info.

I checked out his thread, and it looks good, but I have a fatbob with forwards, and his design would not work on my bike.
I pmed him and asked just to make sure, so I'll wait to hear back from him.

But I would still like to see the product on offer from twin.

Thanks

Lou

Jun 18, 2010 | 10:20 AM

#12

bikerlaw

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 9,193

Likes: 494

From: Richmond, VA

Now, I can't say for sure but I think Harley makes only one size spline for whatever shifter for whatever bike. I would think a call to the dealer would be enough to confirm that. That being said, your post got me thinking that a nice heel toe shifter would be a comfortable upgrade whether medical needs necessitated it or not. Being one to never pay for a part when I don't have to, I went threw my Shovelhead boxes and found an old heel toe shifter off my '79 FLH. It bolted right on. I ground a little bit out of the bottom for clearance, but I didn't really have to. I kinda feel like if I didn't modify it somehow, I didn't really install it correctly. But thats just how goofy I am. Anyways, same spline, fits perfect, works like a dream and no absurd dealer prices. Just a thought if your still looking for ideas. I would guess if the later Dyna's DID use a different spline, the later Touring models would as well. And a late model Touring heel toe would work no differently.

Jun 18, 2010 | 11:47 AM

#13

Taddeoeg

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 1,260

Likes: 5

From: Batesville Ga

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerlaw

I would guess if the later Dyna's DID use a different spline, the later Touring models would as well. And a late model Touring heel toe would work no differently.

Keep in mind that late model touring heel and toe are two separate pieces. They take 1-1/2" of shaft length while my Dyna only uses/has about 5/8" sticking out.

Jun 18, 2010 | 12:25 PM

#14

bikerlaw

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 9,193

Likes: 494

From: Richmond, VA

That may be exactly correct. Maybe an older Shovelhead part is all that WILL work. Man, thats twice I got lucky today. The shifter is working out great too, by the way.

Jun 18, 2010 | 03:45 PM

#15

Taddeoeg

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 1,260

Likes: 5

From: Batesville Ga

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerlaw

That may be exactly correct. Maybe an older Shovelhead part is all that WILL work. Man, thats twice I got lucky today. The shifter is working out great too, by the way.

Glad to hear it. I wonder if it would work with mid controls? I really miss the heel toe when I go from the 'Glide to the Dyna. Think I'll rummage in the shovel parts at the swap meet Sunday - if this friggin' rain quits by then!

Thanks

Jun 18, 2010 | 05:21 PM

#16

lo-rider

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 4,990

Likes: 9

From: Marina del Rey

shifter work-around

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grendel4

Trying to think -- I don't know that I've used my toe to shift my mids with very much. Maybe a couple times. But my ankle got crushed years ago and besides, my toe doesn't fit all that well underneath the shift lever, especially with boots on. Hate it.

I use my heel. Extend my leg out and pull up with the back of my heel. Sometimes my highway peg gets in the way but not enough to get excited about.

One of the things I liked about my old '84 FLHTC was the heel toe shifter and the floorboards. Thought about putting a similar setup on the 'glide but......?? Not so sure 'bout all that. Dunno.

I wondered if I was the only one to have trouble fitting the mid-shifter, which I would not give up. As delivered, my foot could not rest naturally under the shifter, but rather I was forced to over-extend it downward, endangering scraping a toe. This left only an unacceptable extreme outboard position for my rest. So I moved it up one spline-tooth. This seems about perfect for allowing my foot to rest comfortably just below the shift "****" (my boots are not overly large--they are the side-zip TCX European-style touring boots w/ moulded sole). However the shift stroke is way too long; this forces me to raise my leg in order to get enough upward travel, and the repetition can be tiring in the mountains. Also I must raise my leg to prepare to down-shift as well (the **** residing just above the toe of my boot). For me, the spline is too coarse to provide enough adjustment, so I have considered replacing the shift linkage with an adjustable one. But a heel/toe shifter just might be a better option, as long as it clears my resting foot. A design which allows independent heel/toe adjustment (similar to the touring) would be desirable, except for the long spline requirement.

Note: in moving the shifter, I discovered that someone had buggered the spline a bit by forcing the shifter off the shaft w/o first removing it's bolt (which is trapped in a groove in the shaft such that the shifter would not fall off even with a loose bolt). I was able to restore the spline using a file (I just happened to have) made especially for sharpening Japanese saws. The bolt threads had been badly mangled from this ham-handed wrenching as well, so I installed a new grade 6 bolt and lock-washer. Even with the shifter bolt fully-torqued, the clamping feature does not tighten completely snug, as the spline's trying to change "pitch" prevents it, allowing a small amount of looseness; this looseness further exacerbates the longish travel.

Jun 20, 2010 | 02:29 AM

#17

ynots

Thread Starter

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 7,138

Likes: 26

From: Southern Oregon

Thanks for the additional info, there's a couple of independent hd shops around my area, I'm going to have to go see if they have any used h/t shifters laying around