Heel toe mishap
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Wow, Didn't realize the heel shifter was such a PITA for so many.
I also place my heel shifter tight to the board to make heel shifting very easy and natural motion with a simple lift of my heel to upshift.
I keep the toe shifter low too so I don't have to remove my foot from the foot board to make a downshift.
No toe shifter marks on the top of my boots!!
Seems so odd to hear so many can't adjust their heel shifter where it's convenient to use.
I also bought the Softbrake lowered brake lever. You'd have to have a monstrous foot to use the rear brake lever on the new Rushmores without lifting your entire foot off the foot board.
It seems so unsafe to have your foot lifted off the boards while shifting or braking.
I also place my heel shifter tight to the board to make heel shifting very easy and natural motion with a simple lift of my heel to upshift.
I keep the toe shifter low too so I don't have to remove my foot from the foot board to make a downshift.
No toe shifter marks on the top of my boots!!
Seems so odd to hear so many can't adjust their heel shifter where it's convenient to use.
I also bought the Softbrake lowered brake lever. You'd have to have a monstrous foot to use the rear brake lever on the new Rushmores without lifting your entire foot off the foot board.
It seems so unsafe to have your foot lifted off the boards while shifting or braking.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 214
Likes: 42
From: Texas
I was actually wondering about this. Have only had my bike 2 weeks and was just sitting on it the other day with the kickstand down and went to put my foot down and my jeans were caught on the heel shifter. Had to reach down to pull it off. I was thinking that could have been bad.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 214
Likes: 42
From: Texas
Haha, this is exactly how I use mine. Have never actually shifted with it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Just a matter of preference. If you like your heel shifter, then use it. It's all about what the rider prefers. In my own case, since I was brought up on conventional shifters, and neither of my other two bikes have heel shifters, the "toe-only" shifter suits me fine. So, I "adjusted" the heel shifter....off the bike!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Allendale, Mi
BIG feet and heal shifters just don't mix. I was thinking about cutting the shaft off as I caught my pant leg in it a couple of times. I don't plan on keeping the scooter forever so I left it on.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 89
Likes: 20
From: Alabama
Got caught in a springtime downpour earlier this week. There is an elastic band that fits in the arch of each boot to hold the rainsuit pant legs down. Caught the elastic on the heel shifter. Fortunately it was elastic enough I was able to get the side of my foot down and not drop the bike. Ankle is sore, heel shifter is history.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: NW Suburbs Chicago
Ya don't have to cut it off.....it comes off, just loosen and pull.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
I'd be a little careful with that, I would bet that if you remove the peg but not the shifter arm, you'd be a lot more likely to get your pants caught - the shifter arm would just be a thin rod then in perfect position to catch your pants and it seems it'd fit in easier than the shifter arm AND peg when getting into your pants.
My elastic and clip that holds my pants to my boots seems to keep my pants tight to the back of my boots so I guess it has a hidden benefit (along with keeping my choice of socks private) when riding that I was unaware of.
My elastic and clip that holds my pants to my boots seems to keep my pants tight to the back of my boots so I guess it has a hidden benefit (along with keeping my choice of socks private) when riding that I was unaware of.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: NW Suburbs Chicago
I'd be a little careful with that, I would bet that if you remove the peg but not the shifter arm, you'd be a lot more likely to get your pants caught - the shifter arm would just be a thin rod then in perfect position to catch your pants and it seems it'd fit in easier than the shifter arm AND peg when getting into your pants.
My elastic and clip that holds my pants to my boots seems to keep my pants tight to the back of my boots so I guess it has a hidden benefit (along with keeping my choice of socks private) when riding that I was unaware of.
My elastic and clip that holds my pants to my boots seems to keep my pants tight to the back of my boots so I guess it has a hidden benefit (along with keeping my choice of socks private) when riding that I was unaware of.
I'm sorry - loosen it - pull it off - put a chrome or black cap on it. About $12 at your local HD dealer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
I have but one shifter on my Road King. I removed heel shifter and took the rubber piece off it to cut down and use as a spacer. I put that between the primary case and the remaining toe shifter that I positioned on the end of the shaft where the heel shifter was. That makes it easier to get to and I don't have the shaft with a cap on it in my instep when shifting.