Toe shifter options for use with Cobra floorboards (Update)

[Mtn Valk]

There have been several posts where people have used toe shifters from the following bikes that allow adequate room for shifting with boots on:
CBR1100XX (Blackbird)
CB1100XX
'83 model CB1100f
Does anyone have experience with the'83 model?

[sandy]

I had Cobra boards on my old Tourer. I cut and ground off the peg. Then drilled a hole and mounted a Kuryakin pilot peg for a Harley installation. Then mounted the shifter up one spline on the shaft. I wear size 11 MC boots.

[Alberta Patriot]

There have been several posts where people have used toe shifters from the following bikes that allow adequate room for shifting with boots on:
CBR1100XX (Blackbird)
CB1100XX
'83 model CB1100f
Does anyone have experience with the'83 model?

My modified OEM shifter:
I drilled out the pedal and threaded the hole for 3/8" coarse thread and inserted a length of a stainless steel bolt with the head cut off (with epoxy as thread lock)  to add about 1 1/2" of length to the pedal.
I then slid rubber grommets on to fill the added space and then the shifter rubber. Last was an acorn nut with half the hex nut ground off to avoid metal to leather contact with my riding boot (also installed with epoxy).
I also cut the top wire off the shifter arm so that I could raise the pedal enough to clear my boot for upshifts... which has a thick vibram sole and tall toepiece....BTW it works with the Cobra Boards(not pictured at the time but I have Cobras mounted now.
The pedal is far enough past the valve cover to make downshifting easy...also the shifter is raised enough to avoid pavement contact for you footpeg draggers out there!!

[Jess from VA]

One of the few complaints about the Honda Valkyrie is that bitty little shift pedal.  Nice work.

[Mtn Valk]

7th son, I like what you did. Seems easy enough to duplicate what you did. Looks like you also raised it a notch or 2?

[Alberta Patriot]

7th son, I like what you did. Seems easy enough to duplicate what you did. Looks like you also raised it a notch or 2?

I raised the pedal to one notch down from where it would not upshift any longer because the top of the pedal rubber hit the valve cover.
When I first got the bike, I thought I was going to have to buy new lower profile riding boots...after the mod...no problem!

[Mtn Valk]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[Houdini]

There have been several posts where people have used toe shifters from the following bikes that allow adequate room for shifting with boots on:
CBR1100XX (Blackbird)
CB1100XX
'83 model CB1100f
Does anyone have experience with the'83 model?

I do, I have the Blackbird shifter on my IS.  I bought it for $11 off Amazon and it allows me to use Cobra boards without having to jam my toes under or over the shifter.  Highly recommended if you want to use floorboards.

[Mtn Valk]

Very helpful, Houdini. Probably the easiest, less labor intensive (none), mod.
BTW, is the pedal easy to get a hold of. Seems kind of stubby.

[Houdini]

Very helpful, Houdini. Probably the easiest, less labor intensive (none), mod.
BTW, is the pedal easy to get a hold of. Seems kind of stubby.

"Get a hold of"?  I assume you mean is it easy to shift?  Yes, I find it very easy to shift with; to me, it put the shifter at the perfect location to work with floorboards.  If you mean the actual part that your toe contacts, it's about the same size as the OEM shifter.

[Mtn Valk]

Yea, that's what I meant. Sounds like it would be perfect. Don't think I'll find one at $11.00, but I'll wait a few days & see what pops up. Thanks for everyone's replies!

[Mtn Valk]

I do, I have the Blackbird shifter on my IS.  I bought it for $11 off Amazon and it allows me to use Cobra boards without having to jam my toes under or over the shifter.  Highly recommended if you want to use floorboards.

Did you have the peg lowering kit installed with your floorboards?

[MountaineerSTi]

Yea, that's what I meant. Sounds like it would be perfect. Don't think I'll find one at $11.00, but I'll wait a few days & see what pops up. Thanks for everyone's replies!

Looks like $34 at Partzilla (confirm that's the part you are looking for and don't take my word as gospel!)
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/honda/HP-24701-MAT-000.html

[Houdini]

I do, I have the Blackbird shifter on my IS.  I bought it for $11 off Amazon and it allows me to use Cobra boards without having to jam my toes under or over the shifter.  Highly recommended if you want to use floorboards.

Did you have the peg lowering kit installed with your floorboards?

I did, for one ride, I almost killed myself when my floorboard hit the ground and I was unable to maintain my line and ended up in the oncoming lane.  I went home, removed, and sold the lowering kit.  They are fine if you are a highway cruising type but if you like to chase your buddies through tight corners DO NOT put them on your bike.

[Mtn Valk]

Just ordered the CBR1100XX shifter & rubber from partzilla. Thanks MountaineerSTi & Houdini. I'll be removing my peg lowering mod & mounting the new floorboards soon.
I will post my results when the shifter gets here.

[Mtn Valk]

I'm well pleased with the CBR1100XX shifter/Cobra boards combo. Removed my left peg lowering kit and much, much better. Not sure why I waited so long to try the floorboard experience. Also think my calves like it too!

[Harryc]

I'm well pleased with the CBR1100XX shifter/Cobra boards combo. Removed my left peg lowering kit and much, much better. Not sure why I waited so long to try the floorboard experience. Also think my calves like it too!

Thanks for the info. I have one of those shift arms and I tried it with the lowering kit installed and Cobra floorboards, but I found the reach awkward for my left foot. So are you saying it is perfectly comfortable if you remove the lowering kit? Your shoe size if that's not too personal a question? I wear a 15. You understand the reason for the question right? Guys post here all the time that this or that peg or board or heel toe shifter or shifter peg etc is very comfortable...yeah but my foot is 6" longer than yours. Lol

[Mtn Valk]

Wow! I only wear a 10.5. Removing the lowering kit eliminated scraping and moving alternative shifter up a notch allowed enough room for shifting up and down.
I can see why you are having to make a concerted effort rather than a second nature shift. You just might be better off with the original stubby shifter moved up a notch or two. If you use the lowering kit, you will scrape, but at least you have shifting comfort, which is everything.

[Harryc]

Wow! I only wear a 10.5. Removing the lowering kit eliminated scraping and moving alternative shifter up a notch allowed enough room for shifting up and down.
I can see why you are having to make a concerted effort rather than a second nature shift. You just might be better off with the original stubby shifter moved up a notch or two. If you use the lowering kit, you will scrape, but at least you have shifting comfort, which is everything.

Thanks. I took the left lowering kit off and put on the CBR shifter. I'll take a ride later to see, but it looks like it might work. With the lowering kit on I could not get a good position....too high or too low.

[Harryc]

Looks like a winner, thanks for the suggestion. I had to try a few shifter positions but found one that is comfortable and works well. Next ... lose the lowering kit on the right side. I was never a big fan of the kit anyway, but thought it was necessary with Cobra floorboards. Now I know better.

[Mtn Valk]

Good deal. I originally added the peg lowering kit because I needed more leg room. I have a Corbin seat. I'm glad you were able to find comfort in shifting!
Thanks for the pic. I still haven't figured that out yet.

[Harryc]

Good deal. I originally added the peg lowering kit because I needed more leg room.

Same here, but it's only an inch and to me it's not worth the side effects. (board scraping on minimal leans). I was able to gain an inch to 2 inches with an Ultimate King seat. For pics use Photobucket and paste the image url here.