Heel/toe shifter problem

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 5, 2014 | 11:39 AM

PFR-Captain

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 227

Likes: 2

From: mckinney texas

Heel/toe shifter problem

In the last two weeks the heel portion of the shifter has started to slide on the spline shaft and develop "play". The bolt remains tight. What's the deal? I thought I was going to loose the heel portion this past weekend on a ride. BTW, this a 99 RKC with what appears to be the stock setup. LR.

Jun 5, 2014 | 11:52 AM

spider14043

Road Captain

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 667

Likes: 9

It is probably the internal splines on the shifter. The shaft should be ok.
You could easily remove the heal shifter and run with a readjusted toe shifter alone.

Jun 5, 2014 | 12:14 PM

mkguitar

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 14,744

Likes: 402

From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins

this is age-old common shifter wear.

the shaft is steel, the shifter is aluminum...the teeth wear.

take off shifters are about $15 on the classifieds

some times a fix can be to swap the positions of your 2 shifters

mike

Jun 5, 2014 | 12:29 PM

Def Mute

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 2,422

Likes: 14

From: Fla

I don't believe the rear shift pedal will fit on the splines of the toe shifter. It would need a greater bend to go around the end of the primary cover.

Jun 5, 2014 | 01:14 PM

PFR-Captain

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 227

Likes: 2

From: mckinney texas

I tried running without a heel shifter for awhile last year but I found it almost impossible to find neutral when the bike is running. Another common problem so I hear!

Jun 5, 2014 | 01:36 PM

SafetyMan

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 7,970

Likes: 85

From: San Antone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Def Mute

I don't believe the rear shift pedal will fit on the splines of the toe shifter. It would need a greater bend to go around the end of the primary cover.

They are exactly the same, and interchangeable.

Just flip it over.

To the OP, you can get take off shafts pretty inexpensive. I've sold a few of them, I had a box with 8 or 10 at one time.

Jun 5, 2014 | 01:40 PM

mkguitar

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 14,744

Likes: 402

From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFR-Captain

I tried running without a heel shifter for awhile last year but I found it almost impossible to find neutral when the bike is running. Another common problem so I hear!

this often indicates midadustment of the clutch or primary chain tension- your tranny is designed in such a way that N is found from 1st, not down from 2nd...so from 2nd, you knock it down to 1st, then snick it up to N

and yes, the 2 shifter shafts are same/same

old school fix is to drill through & pin- but that is rarely a great fix.

if yours has been loose for awhile the teeth of the shift lever end are probably worn now

mike

Last edited by mkguitar; Jun 5, 2014 at 01:58 PM.