Heel shifter?

[v4bob49]

Well I got rid of the heel shifter on my last two bikes. Just couldn't get used to it, and they got in the way of moving my foot around on the floorboard. So when I got the Tri-Glide, I took it off immediately after I got it home. Two of my riding buddies have also removed the heel shifter. My brother on the other hand loves it. So I guess it's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[rwmrfm]

My triglide has the heel shifter which is a new thing for me since I haven't rode in 20-25 years. Not sure they were even around back then.

Question is do people really use them much, I am thinking of getting rid of mine as I never used one before and really haven't gotten used to it being an option while riding.

Sell me one way or the other!

Thanks

Bob

Hi Bob I really don't use use the heel shifter. I guess I'm old school a toe man. However, if it's not in your way I would leave it on the bike. A friend took his off and then hurt his foot and could not shift. So you guessed it he had to put it back on for the up shift.

Cheers

Bob

 

[GARYD]

1. Like I said earlier, we had a gal loose her toe shifter on a ride - so we removed the heel shifter and mounted it in front - problem averted. I've heard of lots or riders loosing their toe shifter = common problem =?

2. If you want to use it, but it gets in the way = get the extended lever = problem solved - plus you have a back up lever.

 

[trikermutha]

I don't know how you loose a toe shifter unless the bolt falls out completely and then the heal shifter.

How would you not notice this when you are riding and shifting?

Moving the shifter from one spot to the other moves the way the bolt hole faces

 

[oldNbold]

Removing my heel shifter. Just gets in my way and I wont miss it.

 

[GARYD]

I don't know how you loose a toe shifter unless the bolt falls out completely and then the heal shifter.

How would you not notice this when you are riding and shifting?

Moving the shifter from one spot to the other moves the way the bolt hole faces

The gal that was in front of me lost hers on a ride and it hit the ground and bounced up just missing my head. If I was quicker I could have grabbed it.

Poor maintainence is my guess if one falls off. I've herd a few stories about that. If the rear one is tight it won't fall off even if the front one does.

The heal shifter is behind the toe shifter.

She did notice it - as soon as it fell off.

I'm glad she didn't panic and slam on the brakes. She kept the clutch in until she got off the road and then turned the bike off.

I always check the tightness before a ride. Same with the highway bars - I lost one on a trip a few years back.

 

[GARYD]

You may if someday you get a broken toe - or - loose the toe shifter - it could happen.

Just curious - how does it get in the way?

 

[rhino 2]

In the state of California the heal shifter has been known to cause Cancer

 

[hardwickbv]

Update

Over the last couple weeks I have made a concerted effort to use the heel shifter and am liking it.

It does take a bit to get used to but once I made it a habit it is starting to feel awkward to use the Toe shifter to shift up.

I do believe I will be getting an extended arm in the near future to give me more room on the floorboard and this will allow me to lower it a notch or two to make it easier to get my heel over it.

I did try lowering it without the extended arm but did not like the fact that it would hit the floorboard pad when shifting. It probably isn't a problem but I didn't like the idea.

I have also added DK's Extended floorboard kit and highly recommend putting that on.

Thanks for all the input

Bob

 

[Trailridr]

I've never ridden with one except for the ride from the dealer to home, and it wouldn't allow me to place my left foot comfortably on the floorboards. That was the first thing I took off as soon as I got home. Never had one before and I certainly don't miss it.

Trail Rider

 

[470004]

I use the heel shifter to find neutral. It also keeps my boots off the primary cover to prevent scratching the chrome.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I wont ride with out one

maybe just me but my trike does NOT clunk when I use te heel shifter

 

[GARYD]

I wont ride with out one

maybe just me but my trike does NOT clunk when I use te heel shifter

Now that you mention that, I don't recall mine clunking either.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I wont ride with out one

maybe just me but my trike does NOT clunk when I use te heel shifter

Now that you mention that, I don't recall mine clunking either.

If u look at the linkage, the heel shifter has less mechanical effort involved to shift the gears JMO = less clunk this comes to me via several baggers and 2 trikes with heel toe shifters

 

[Recall]

I wont ride with out one

maybe just me but my trike does NOT clunk when I use te heel shifter

I am glad someone else has the same impression. I think it shifts better with the heel shifter too. For a while there I thought I was loosing my mind. I also adjusted mine down as low as it would go. May have to look into the extended shifter as well.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I am glad someone else has the same impression. I think it shifts better with the heel shifter too. For a while there I thought I was loosing my mind. I also adjusted mine down as low as it would go. May have to look into the extended shifter as well.

LOL, Dont take my word for it

I just know what works for me

I guess I spend TOO much of my time analyzing every thing

 

[Peter A.]

Heel

Have always had them on all my Harley's.......seems like a natural any more!

May just be habit now, but I like them!

My first New Harley was 1970.

:clapping:

 

[Recall]

LOL, Dont take my word for it

I just know what works for me

I guess I spend TOO much of my time analyzing every thing

I tried all kinds of trickery, preloading the shifter (BMW style), watching RPMs for sweet spots, light, medium and hard acceleration and then the magic heel shifter. Amazing, simply amazing! All I can say is an old dog can learn new tricks.

 

[PosseRider]

Wouldn't be without it. :wave4:

 

[Jack Klarich]

2 things come to mind with the heel shifter

Actually more

Any way, the MOCO stopped drilling and tapping the primary housing where the shifter shaft runs thru, Problem solved on my last 2 trikes

the shifter levers I have removed and put a wave washer on the shaft before putting the shifter arms back on, Why? Good question, grab your shifter see how much it wiggles? The wave washer will take out most of the slop { years ago on older baggers we would cut an old valve spring down instead to put more tension on, BUT it was hit and miss}

Pingel makes a shifter shaft with a grease fitting in the end so no drilling is needed

{ u can drill and tap the rear brake pedal also} I did both shafts on the trike, if u r careful and drill slow and use a blow gun and pump a lot of grease thru when u r done, there is NO need to remove any parts JMO with 13k miles and NO ill affects on my 17 M8 FREEWHEELER

The wave washers can be had at any Lowes or Home Depot look below

 

[ctdair]

I wouldn't be without the heel shifter on My Police FLH but on the Tri Glide it just is awkward to me with the seat position. My feet feel cramped on the boards and its just in the way. Just had a spacer made and moved toe lever to outer position. Haven't taken it out for a test yet.

 

[nevtat]

My triglide has the heel shifter which is a new thing for me since I haven't rode in 20-25 years. Not sure they were even around back then.

Question is do people really use them much, I am thinking of getting rid of mine as I never used one before and really haven't gotten used to it being an option while riding.

Who says you can't teach an old dog ... after reading more posts I decided to re-install the heel shifter lever. I've removed it on my other 2-wheel Harleys (4) over the years and never had an issue with finding neutral. When the engine isn't up to normal temp., a soft tap of the heel shifter finds neutral like magic! When the engine is hot, as in it's 105 degrees in Las Vegas and I'm riding in stop and go traffic, the heel shifter isn't much good - yet. I ordered and extended heel lever and will try it again. (The stock levers don't leave enough room on the boards for my size 13 boats.)

 

[HDB0B]

(The stock levers don't leave enough room on the boards for my size 13 boats.)

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/folding-heel-shifter

This will give you more room. Rear shift linkage that allows the peg to move to a 45 degree position.

Bob orag:

 

[nevtat]

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/folding-heel-shifter

This will give you more room. Rear shift linkage that allows the peg to move to a 45 degree position.

Bob orag:

Thanks, but I'm pretty sure I mentioned I had ordered an extended shift lever.

 

[GARYD]

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/folding-heel-shifter

This will give you more room. Rear shift linkage that allows the peg to move to a 45 degree position.

Bob orag:

Not sure I'd like a swiveling heel pad - doesn't look very safe to me.

The extended lever is much more user friendly. I have mine lowered enough that I hardly have to raise my heel = almost level with the floor board.

I watched one of the gals in our chapter using her heel shifter (not the same one that lost hers). She would raise her foot almost 8" above the shifter. I told her about the extender and lowering it, but she said she liked doing it her way better. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand now. I guess if you get use to doing something, you don't want to change - even if it's better.

My setup is perfect, comfortable and very user friendly. Plus, as I stated earlier, you have a backup - just in case.

 

[rhino 2]

Not sure I'd like a swiveling heel pad - doesn't look very safe to me.

The extended lever is much more user friendly. I have mine lowered enough that I hardly have to raise my heel = almost level with the floor board.

I watched one of the gals in our chapter using her heel shifter (not the same one that lost hers). She would raise her foot almost 8" above the shifter. I told her about the extender and lowering it, but she said she liked doing it her way better. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand now. I guess if you get use to doing something, you don't want to change - even if it's better.

My setup is perfect, comfortable and very user friendly. Plus, as I stated earlier, you have a backup - just in case.

Some people feel its more Manly to pound on the heal shifter ....

 

[67wizard]

My triglide has the heel shifter which is a new thing for me since I haven't rode in 20-25 years. Not sure they were even around back then.

Question is do people really use them much, I am thinking of getting rid of mine as I never used one before and really haven't gotten used to it being an option while riding.

Who says you can't teach an old dog ... after reading more posts I decided to re-install the heel shifter lever. I've removed it on my other 2-wheel Harleys (4) over the years and never had an issue with finding neutral. When the engine isn't up to normal temp., a soft tap of the heel shifter finds neutral like magic! When the engine is hot, as in it's 105 degrees in Las Vegas and I'm riding in stop and go traffic, the heel shifter isn't much good - yet. I ordered and extended heel lever and will try it again. (The stock levers don't leave enough room on the boards for my size 13 boats.)

Good to see somebody else that wears a 13 boot. I think I'll try the extender and see how it works. I live in Vegas also, WHEN ITS HOT, ITS HOT.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

I've had 7 or 8 Harley's and 6 out of them i use my heel shifter to shift gears. I had a a sore toe and dropping a engine part on it and had to shift that way. Got so use to doing it that way I still do it to this day.

Might not be for everyone ! BUT works for me..

 

[TriTn]

I must not be using the right search terms. Anybody have a link to the extended heel lever?

ETA: I tried again and found a link. Thanks

Another add: Ordered

 

[TriTn]

I must not be using the right search terms. Anybody have a link to the extended heel lever?

ETA: I tried again and found a link. Thanks

Another add: Ordered

My extended lever came in this morning. I put it on and lowered it a notch. Rode it a little and with a little time, I'm sure I will like the extra room. Only thing is the one I ordered has poor quality chrome. I can see what looks like copper through some imperfections. Oh, the pinch bolt was smaller than stock, not as beefy.

ETA: I still want that longer peg for the toe shift lever like Bill G shows in post #5.