Toe Shifter Failed
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27
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Toe Shifter Failed
Coming off the highway this morning on my 2008 RK, my downshift from 6th felt a little odd. I went to downshift again, and no toe shifter!
I pulled off to the side at the bottom of the exit, and the toe shifter was flapping lose on the shaft. By pulling it out towards the heel shifter, I was able to get it to catch a little, but it would not stay that way. The bolt was not lose. I used the heel shifter to put the bike in 3rd, and kept it there the rest of the way to work, which was fortunately mostly down hill.
As soon as I can find someone in the office with a set of hex wrenches, Im going to go check it out, but Im wondering if anyones ever had a failure of the splined shaft?
Cheers - Steve
I pulled off to the side at the bottom of the exit, and the toe shifter was flapping lose on the shaft. By pulling it out towards the heel shifter, I was able to get it to catch a little, but it would not stay that way. The bolt was not lose. I used the heel shifter to put the bike in 3rd, and kept it there the rest of the way to work, which was fortunately mostly down hill.
As soon as I can find someone in the office with a set of hex wrenches, Im going to go check it out, but Im wondering if anyones ever had a failure of the splined shaft?
Cheers - Steve
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 14
From: Houston, Texas
Had mine happen to me a couple of weeks ago on my 06 RK. Used the heel shifter to get back home - 1 1/2 hrs of riding.
Same problem. My son is a certified mechanic - working at a custom shop. He told me that is was the splines etc.... put the heel shifter on the front until I got a replacement. For me, he said it is probably miles, weather and use. * almost 45K on her and Sr RC in PGR here so use shifter alot*
Same problem. My son is a certified mechanic - working at a custom shop. He told me that is was the splines etc.... put the heel shifter on the front until I got a replacement. For me, he said it is probably miles, weather and use. * almost 45K on her and Sr RC in PGR here so use shifter alot*
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 71
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yep stock HD stuff is not quality anymore.
Pull the lever off. Retap the bolt hole.
Buy a better quality grade 8 bolt 1/4 to 1/2 inch longer.
Now cut a aluminum shim from a soda (beer) can. spread the shifter clamp open enough
to allow you to place the shim 3/4 way or so around the shaft (leave bolt hole area clear). position correctly for your foot angle. tighten pinch bolt. Apply some red or blue locktite to a nut and put nut on the bolt. That's why the longer bolt.
Stops it from working loose.
This assumes the splines are not completely stripped out.
I do this even with new levers when they don't feel right.
Another option but harder to remove is red or green loctite on the splines when you assemble. Stops the working back and forth everytime you shift and from normal vibrations.
Also while you are there, double check all pinch bolts, especially lever on tranny.
Pull the lever off. Retap the bolt hole.
Buy a better quality grade 8 bolt 1/4 to 1/2 inch longer.
Now cut a aluminum shim from a soda (beer) can. spread the shifter clamp open enough
to allow you to place the shim 3/4 way or so around the shaft (leave bolt hole area clear). position correctly for your foot angle. tighten pinch bolt. Apply some red or blue locktite to a nut and put nut on the bolt. That's why the longer bolt.
Stops it from working loose.
This assumes the splines are not completely stripped out.
I do this even with new levers when they don't feel right.
Another option but harder to remove is red or green loctite on the splines when you assemble. Stops the working back and forth everytime you shift and from normal vibrations.
Also while you are there, double check all pinch bolts, especially lever on tranny.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 11
From: TN
Locktight will do you no good. The splines on the toe shifter and the rod have washed out. You need to replace both.
Bwana
Bwana
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: ST. Louis
WOW, after 16,000? WTF I guess they are too busy designing Tee-Shirts to care about us guys that ride.