Back in '82 or '83 I'd bought a first-year Honda V45 Sabre but had not yet taken delivery. Was working 3-11 and duties had me off-site for a while. It was a beautiful Rocky Mountain Western Slope spring day so stopped by the dealer to take the bike for a sport into Steamboat. Pulled up to a stop light after only about 3 miles of riding. Committed to putting right foot down and found it wouldn't go! I stabbed at it a few times before I got the presence of mind to discern the pant cuff was stuck on something so, against all instinct of what to do when a bike is going over, I pulled my leg up momentarily to clear the obstruction. I got very, very lucky. Thought I was going down for sure on my spanking-new ride in front of everybody...

Why doesn't HD put a long-enough rear shift lever on so we can place it down and back; out of the way? (I do understand the reasoning behind wanting to use the same part for both front and rear) I lengthened my linkage slightly (for about half a spline's worth of rotation) in order to be able to get it low enough that it would work reliably and leave the board with enough upward movement, but it's taking up an inch or so of the rear of the usable heel space back there. I've got long legs so the optional boards/mounts which move them forward slightly are probably in order anyway and that would fix the rear shifter positioning as well.

I just could not find the utility in using the heel shifter with it up so high like it came from the factory. Now there's an even better reason for not leaving it up like that!

 

So sad to hear of this.
I was going to ask if you were wearing 70's style bell bottoms.
Well if you have a shop do the work you will exceed the $500 deductible.
Best you do it yourself.
A good (QUALTIY) paint shop ought to be able to match the bike paint quite well. But repaint the whole bag not just spot job it.

 

So pant leg caught on the heel shifter? Thinking about removing it? Heel arm of the shifter was one of the first things to go when I got my RKC. Cleans things up and more foot room too.

 

I got hung up on the heel shifter and its in the tool box as a spare, I wear western boots and pro rodeo wranglers and haven't had an issue. Take the damn thing off.

 

find a local shop that can spot it in.most reputable shops can spot paint the repair,then clearcoat the entire piece and make it look good.i own and operate a small bodyshop in n.c.i have done several pieces as i have described and all turned out well.

 

Up where this poor guy lives (Maine), they don't exactly wear western boots and pro rodeo wranglers.

Sorry man about your embarrassing moment... shake it off and enjoy your bike!

I wouldn't remove the heel shifter, as I love them... if I ride a bike without one I feel like something is missing...

 

Because of this scenario, I installed saddlebag guards early on. All I need is one unfortunate incident like that and I'm looking at major damage. On several occasions I've put my foot down on slick pavement and my foot slipped, but in each case it has caught before the threshold of tipping over. I do know that the day is coming when it won't catch and will topple in the middle of the road. Picking it up won't be a problem, but I would like for this to happen without major damage, which is why I added the saddlebags guards. To me they don't detract from the bike's appearance and allow adding saddlebag guard bags, which I like very much.

I found these along with the supports on Ebay for $100, and this package is fairly common. I think most are made available by FLH owners who are looking for that leaner look. They may have second thoughts when they figure up the damage the first time it falls over.

 

Just got back from a ride, after reading this post earlier. I can't see how this is even possible. I actually tried to hook the leg of my jeans and couldn't do it. Your jeans must have a huge leg opening, or be extra long, or this is just a freak accident. I know as kids we sometimes would ruuberband out pant leg to keep it out of the sprocket on our 10-speed bikes. This was with bell-bottoms, of course.

Regardless, glad you got out of it ok.

 

I have been wearing the same jeans for the past12 years (well, same brand and style). I have had one Softail Nostalgia, two Road Kings and FLHT and the current Street Glide. I have never caught my pant leg even one time. Not even felt it catch on the heel shifter. That said, it happened and I still feel stupid. I know that sometimes I lift my leg up a little to catch the rear shifter and that is probably how they got hooked up, that and a little "wind gremlin". I looked the bike over today and went to the local dealer and picked up a clutch lever and ordered a colbalt pearl bag latch as well as a bottle of touch up to hold me over until I get it painted. I think I will wait until I put it away this fall and then send the bag to someone. One odd thing is the way the new hardbags "dent". The road gravel in near the center line dimpled the lower corner of the bag. It did not crack like the old fiberglass bags. I guess thats good. I began to replace the clutch lever and found that my snap-ring pliers were too big. Had to run to Sears and find a set with replaceable pins. Always a treat to buy some new tools. I looked the bike over again and actually am very surprised that it did not sustain more damage. I did notice a small scratch on the front crash bar but only I will know where it is. Oh yeah, forgot to mention that the dealer charged me 22.95 for a micro bottle of touch up. Holy crap Batman....give me a break. Guess what, I bought it anyway because I can't drive around and look at the scratches. I think thatprice takes the cake on"the fleecingof theHarley rider".The clutch lever was only 29 bucks.What would HDowners of old have done...leave the damage and call it character.I am the same guy who refuses to buy HDclothing becauseI don't likepaying themso that I can advertise andit looks like theMotor Companygets the last laugh. Oh well, I am going to ride it to church tomorrow and park the damages side away so when I walk out I wont have to see it. Stay safe and watch your pant cuffs.

 

Sorry about your misshap, never had it happen to me but close one time with long shoe laces. My suggestion is to lower the rear shift lever (front as well). I have no idea why Harley positions them so high you have to pick your foot up to use them. I have the front and rear shift levers positioned to where they just touch the floorboard when shifting.

As as rule when stopping I shift to neutral and place the right foot down first and the left foot only if needed. By the time I'm coming to a stop I'm on front brake only and use it to hold the bike at hills, etc. With the left foot still on the board, I'm ready to shift into first when I get rolling again.