Heel toe mishap
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 14
From: lancaster,ca
I remember this being a topic a couple years ago but they were just close calls. I have had several close calls but they are so few and I ride so often, I've never considered it a real danger.
I'm talking about the heel shifter getting caught on clothing. I wear jeans and in colder months, add leather. Last night after a 125mi ride, leaving my friend's house I stopped at a stop sign and couldn't get my leg down. I managed to stay up a couple seconds, trying to treat my leg free, but to no avail.the bike down on the left side. My leg, still tangled, took most of the damage. The bike suffered some.
I have a long ride north on Friday morning so I'm getting the parts I need to ride so I don't miss the trip. Among the casualties are my bars, mirror, clutch lever, clutch housing, and the rear turn signal.my primary was damaged but it looks to be just scratches.
The parts will be picked up today and I'll start working on them as soon as I get off work tonight. My plans also include the permanent removal of the rear shifter. I love the heel shift, so it will be missed.
I'm talking about the heel shifter getting caught on clothing. I wear jeans and in colder months, add leather. Last night after a 125mi ride, leaving my friend's house I stopped at a stop sign and couldn't get my leg down. I managed to stay up a couple seconds, trying to treat my leg free, but to no avail.the bike down on the left side. My leg, still tangled, took most of the damage. The bike suffered some.
I have a long ride north on Friday morning so I'm getting the parts I need to ride so I don't miss the trip. Among the casualties are my bars, mirror, clutch lever, clutch housing, and the rear turn signal.my primary was damaged but it looks to be just scratches.
The parts will be picked up today and I'll start working on them as soon as I get off work tonight. My plans also include the permanent removal of the rear shifter. I love the heel shift, so it will be missed.
I can say this has happened to me luckily I never dropped it but I have came close...I always take the heel shifter off my bikes now I just don't like the look.
Side note sounds like your heading to the Red River Run? That ought to be interesting after Waco...maybe it will be a little calmer..LOL
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 25,202
Likes: 30,162
I've never had that type of shifter, but I have lost 4-5 pairs of jeans to my pipes. My solution was found at a bicycle store. I bought two reflective velcro straps to keep it all together. Similar to:
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Same situation. The Deluxe I bought a few months back was the first bike I'd had with a heel shifter. I took the heel section off. For me, it just gets in the way
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 18,484
From: Displaced Texan
Took mine off after trying it for six months. HD makes a chrome cap to cover the bare shaft end. Looks sharp.
The Fatboy is the first bike I've owned that had one. I did not like it at first, but kept it for six months to see if I'd warm up to it. I did not. Got in the way more than anything. I miss it only about 10% of the time. Good move letting it go. It's amazing how much more real estate there is on the floorboard without the rear shifter.
The Fatboy is the first bike I've owned that had one. I did not like it at first, but kept it for six months to see if I'd warm up to it. I did not. Got in the way more than anything. I miss it only about 10% of the time. Good move letting it go. It's amazing how much more real estate there is on the floorboard without the rear shifter.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 153
From: Midlands of SC
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 132
From: x
I was debating to take it off or not last year when I first got the bike. About six days into riding and I had a pair of bootcut Levi's catch on the danm thing and almost went down before I got my foot on the ground about halfway down. Danm near gave me a hernia trying to save it! Took it off right then and there.