heel toe shifter
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lee's Summit MO
I'm riding a Street Bob and this weekend I rode several demo bikes that have the heel toe shifter. I found that I had to pick up my leg and move it back in order to put my heel on the shifter, also i found that my feet were extended further forewords than I am used to, which made up shifting with my toe "unFun"
Back in the 60s, I would go rent bikes in Corpus and they also had the HT shifters; however all that I did was pivot on the ball of my foot and I could easily use my heel on the shifter.
My question is; is the "normal" method really having to raise my leg up to be able to shift, or would there be some sort of adjustments made to be able to simply pivot my foot to reach that heel shift lets say on a Heritage and wearing EMT boots?
Thanks for any advice.
Back in the 60s, I would go rent bikes in Corpus and they also had the HT shifters; however all that I did was pivot on the ball of my foot and I could easily use my heel on the shifter.
My question is; is the "normal" method really having to raise my leg up to be able to shift, or would there be some sort of adjustments made to be able to simply pivot my foot to reach that heel shift lets say on a Heritage and wearing EMT boots?
Thanks for any advice.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lee's Summit MO
'09 SG H/T shifter stud
On my '09 SG, my h/t shifter stud seems to be worn. The heel shifter moves back and forth a little. I took it off and the splines are worn. Has anyone changed that particular stud out? It seems like it might be a big undertaking. I love the heel shifter.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Shouldn't rattle or even be loose on the shaft. I took mine off and threw it in the bag for a spare. Moved the toe shifter to the end of the shaft and made a spacer out of the rubber piece off the heel shifter. I've always been a toe shifter guy and couldn't get into the heel thing. You definetely sound like you need to tighten it up.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 190
Likes: 10
From: Bucks County, PA
You can also get a washer from the hardware store that is shaped like a wave - the
correct name for it escapes me at the moment, I'm sure someone else here knows what it's called. Anyway it goes on the shaft so that it's closest to the primary cover and will keep tension on the assembly. For that matter you may be able to make one out of a regular flat washer by bending it 10 or 15 degrees.
correct name for it escapes me at the moment, I'm sure someone else here knows what it's called. Anyway it goes on the shaft so that it's closest to the primary cover and will keep tension on the assembly. For that matter you may be able to make one out of a regular flat washer by bending it 10 or 15 degrees.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
Loose linkage
The shift linkage/shaft that the shift levers are mounted to needs to be lubed and kept snug and not allowed to vibrate as per spacing by whatever means you wish or slide the levers tighter against the rubber bushing. Not only does this keep an unwanted rattling noise of the linkage down it prevents the small ball joints of the original linkage from wearing out and excess rattling and vibration is also the cause of the splines on the trans shaft and arm wearing out or stripping causing a breakdown or costly repair.
Last edited by rlh7677; Feb 27, 2016 at 10:23 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 92
From: Michigan
The heel shifter is the first thing that hits the garbage can or should I say the rubber end. I leave the lever on just to protect my boot and from scratching up the chrome cover. Only had it come slightly loose, a minor tightening of the bolt cured that.
I think people let a loose shifter go on to long and it gets all wobbed out.
I think people let a loose shifter go on to long and it gets all wobbed out.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
For a no cost spacer, you can take the rear shifter lever and move it to the inside of the toe shifter, with both of the rubber pegs facing away from each other but the levers are parallel. Both levers will be facing forward and gives a custom look to your lever and will put the toe shifter outboard a bit more.
I prefer the heel shifter right where it is, myself.
I prefer the heel shifter right where it is, myself.
Shifter
There r also bushings(2) in the case., hammer out with socket and $2 each to replace. Only get worse if ignored
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Here's the fix....and it doesn't include simply removing the heel shifter (AKA the Bozo cure).
If the lever is rattling on the shaft no amount of loctite on the splines will cure it. Instead remove the lever and open the gap where the lever is split so it will close further. A hack saw works well for this.
If the levers and shaft are moving side to side you can simply make yourself a new rubber spacer from some rubber hose. Just make it long enough so you have to push the levers on with some force.
If the lever is rattling on the shaft no amount of loctite on the splines will cure it. Instead remove the lever and open the gap where the lever is split so it will close further. A hack saw works well for this.
If the levers and shaft are moving side to side you can simply make yourself a new rubber spacer from some rubber hose. Just make it long enough so you have to push the levers on with some force.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX.
Folks I've been reading these post and I haven't seen any mention of how different if any it is to have the shifter peg further left after installing a spacer. I went to install my spacer not understanding that the lever would end up further out so I stopped wondering if I'm going to like that or not. I'm guessing that since there's not much mention it's not much of a difference. Has anyone had any negative experience with the lever and peg further out to the left?
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