Shifter peg location?

[Cyclejohn]

Hey All,

One of the first things I noticed about the shifter peg with the bike sitting in the dealer's showroom was the shift peg was pretty much horizontally in-line with the foot peg. I asked the dealer to move that up one notch on the splines before I took delivery of the bike after the purchase.

They didn't (which is fine, I prefer doing my own work) so I rode it out the way it was.

With the shift peg at that location I really have to cant my foot more than I want to get it under the peg. I removed the bottom cover and rotated the shift lever one tooth on the spindle splines. Cranked, the bike would shift into first and back to neutral but not into the upper gears. It felt like it was hitting externally somewhere but it wasn't. It must have been that the new location took away the leverage advantage of the 90° short arms attached to the rod ends.

On both of the first gen Valks that I owned I didn't like the location of the shift pegs either so I cut those off and machined new ones to fit my liking.

I was curious as to whether anyone else here had made any mods to their existing shift peg/shift peg location and would care to share.

Thanks,
John

[allhans4]

I know what you mean, but I got accustomed to it pretty quickly. Now I like it and have no problems getting my foot into the right position, whether upshifting or downshifting.

[_Sheffjs_]

Never noticed anything that hindered my shifting.  No issues however I got rid of my clod hoppers and bought Joe Rocket rider boots and I really like them and can feel more of the action. 

[sleepngbear]

I'm used to wearing a lighter boot for riding. I got a new pair that were thicker than my old ones, and I couldn't up-shift with them for crap. Felt like I had to jack my foot down at a ridiculous angle to get under the shifter. So back they went. I did find a lighter pair that work more like I'm used to. So if it's an option, I'd suggest try looking for a lighter, thinner boot.

[sparko]

I just bought my Valk last week and could barley shift it. The cure for me was Kuryakyn mini boards with 3/4 inch drop. Perfect! lowers foot under arm. I tilted mine forward I notch . Really comfortable now.

[Dragunslayer]

You guys that are having issues shifting must have logger boots for boots. I wear a size 13 boot and have zero issue.

[headpeon]

I just bought my Valk last week and could barley shift it. The cure for me was Kuryakyn mini boards with 3/4 inch drop. Perfect! lowers foot under arm. I tilted mine forward I notch . Really comfortable now.

I put the mini boards on and with the added width of the board, it prevented me from getting my toe under the shifter. So is that what you mean by tilting is the board itself, like slightly down?

[bscrive]

I put on a heel-toe shifter.  I prefer that to the regular shifter.

[Bill Havins]

John,

Before I signed the paperwork on my Valkyrie I asked my dealer about adjusting the shifter position.  Being a friend, he quickly admitted that, "There Is No Adjustment."

I looked at him dumbfounded.

He then went on to explain how aftermarket accessories have been developed to lower and/or angle footpegs so shifting is easy while, at the same time, customizing the ergonomics of the bike to the rider's preference.  He said, "Look around.  Everyone changes their footpegs anyway, so they fix the shifter-to-footpeg position at the same time."

"What?" I asked.  I thought to myself, "That's the craziest bunch of stuff I've ever heard."

So I began to research the question on the internet and, just like he said, there are many footpeg adaptations available that can be used to resolve the issue.  If you search for awhile you may bump into a discussion that reports Honda will not warrant transmission problems if the shifter has been replaced with an aftermarket heel-toe shifter (sorry, bscrive).

I eventually resigned myself to the fact that this is the Goldwing Powertrain "Blemish."  I hate to be sexist but, it's like looking at a woman who you perceive as really pretty...until you spot the mole between her shoulder blades.  And what a mole it is, too.

Having seen the mole it may negatively color your perception of that pretty woman forever, and it may completely ruin your hope for a long and comfortable relationship.  A mole.  A silly mole.

Blemishes don't scare me.  At my age I can imagine what others think of my looks, but I don't really care.

When touring I ride in Danner Gore-Tex Tactical Boots.  As small as I am I'm going to add every bit of protection to ensure my wife and I have a wonderful trip without any concerns I'll twist my ankle.  To shift my Valkyrie I simply "snag" the end of the shifter with the sole of my boot.  Works great and I don't miss any shifts.

On those few occasions I ride without my boots I slip my toe under the shifter, but, most of the time I still shift with the edge of the sole of my shoe.

So this is the Goldwing Powertrain "Blemish."  You can attempt to cover it with makeup, or just live with it as it is.  What a silly thing for Honda to fail to consider.

Bill

[Robert]

I had a problem with the shifter position for awhile and changed shoes. Once I got used to the bike I went back to my old shoes and I swear the shifter actually moved to accommodate them since it was no longer a problem.   

[bscrive]

Bill, worrying about something that may never happen is a waste of time.  

I have had mine on for 2 years now and have known many guys that have heel-toe shifters on their full wings for years and never had any issues.  I think the issues may arise from some who treat their wing like a crotch rocket or use some obscure oil in the crankcase.  If you are going to have issues with your tranny it will not make one bit of difference whether you are using a heel-toe shifter or not.  I use a heel-toe shifter because the regular shifter hurts my toe after a while.  I also don't try to speed shift my bike.

I would think that if the heel-toe shifters were found out to be the real cause then Kuryakyn and others would have been sued by now by wing owners and they would no longer make them.  That coupled with the bikes from Honda that come stock with heel-toe shifter debunk the myth that heel-toe shifters are bad.  The VTX1800 come with them.

I am sure that if the shifter didn't work properly and didn't return to the neutral position, ride the shifter, or if someone hammers on it when they are changing gear that issues can arise.  But, if you use it as it is intended and make sure that they are not sticking then I cannot see how one can cause issues.

The tranny horror stories are just like the hydrolock horror stories with the original Valkyrie.  Ya, they do happen, but so infrequently it is not worth the worry.  I had a heel-toe shifter on that bike as well for almost 10 years without any issues and no hydrolock.  

I only have another year of warranty left and if the tranny breaks I will just put the old pegs on and remove the heel-toe shifter before I bring it in, so that Honda can't quip about it.  

Have fun.


Update:

I just found a great article about GL1800 trannys.  They seem to feel that it is a design flaw.

http://www.justwings.com/Cause.html

[_Sheffjs_]

I'm sorry, I don't fully understand the initial problem. Can someone please expound here?  I haven't had any problems with three 1500 VALKS and now my 1800c.  Also it went from shifter position to ghost shifting.  What is the issue with the shifter being where it is from stock?  Help me out here to understand.


Brian. This Just Wings is four miles from our cottage where the 1800 is!  Small world.   

[dans2014]

  Yes, I wear size 12 ee and it's a bit of trouble to shift. Period. It's a problem but not unsurmountable. I too bought riding boots and they make it doable. With my clod hoppers on, not so easy. I've owned 12 different bikes and this is the first one with this issue. The shifter is small and tucked in but I have gotten used to it and don't miss many shifts antmore

[bscrive]

Jerry,

There is a discussion about adjusting the shifter, or floorboards to be able to shift easier. 

I brought up that I use a heel-toe shifter for easier shifting, but Bill was concerned that they cause tranny problems.  I then indicated that heel-toe shifters don't cause issues and that according to Just Wings there is a flaw in the transmissions that cause the miss shifts that lead to tranny failures.

[_Sheffjs_]

 I guess I'm oblivious to handlebars and shifters      

[Bill Havins]

....So I began to research the question on the internet and, just like he said, there are many footpeg adaptations available that can be used to resolve the issue.  If you search for awhile you may bump into a discussion that reports Honda will not warrant transmission problems if the shifter has been replaced with an aftermarket heel-toe shifter (sorry, bscrive)....

Let me be very clear - I don't have any idea if a heel-toe shifter has the potential to damage a Goldwing tranny.  I simply offered the above as evidence of the several ways that have been developed to improve/fix the Goldwing shifter; the warranty thing surprised me.  But I am unfamiliar with how Honda supports warranty issues so I chose to ignore that discussion.

When you've ridden European bikes for some thirty+ years it takes a bit to get used to Honda's way of doing things.  On Moto Guzzis you quickly get used to Heim joints and threaded linkages - they allow for quite a range of shifter adjustment.  On the Goldwing?  Meh!  Ain't no adjustment.  So I chose to adapt.

[Cyclejohn]

I don't fully understand the initial problem.
Can someone please expound here?
What is the issue with the shifter being where it is from stock?
Help me out here to understand.  

Hey _Sheffjs_,

I guess since I am the one that started this thread I could expound on the exact 'why' of it.

It is nothing more than a personal preference. I am not complaining about my Valkyrie. I did mention that I have to cant my foot downward more at the front to hook under the shifter. I do wear 'work' boots when I ride. They are not steel toe but they are thicker in the toe area than motorcycle specific riding boots. They are the only type of footwear that I own.

I have owned 2 first gen Valkyries and I currently own a VTX 1800S and my new Valkyrie. On both of the first gen Valkyries that I owned I fabricated my own shift levers for them because of their positioning. My personal preference is to not have the front of my boot 'trapped' under the shift lever when going around curves or even when turning left in city/town riding. I would guess that 95% of my riding is in the foothills and mountains of NC and Va. with the other 5% spent getting there. There is more curve riding than upright riding on the good days.

I am not a "heel kicker' or I might entertain that option. I have cut the heel kick portion off of the bikes that I have purchased that came with them. Again, just a personal preference that allows me more foot positioning room.

I was asking for 'member made modifications' so that I didn't spend any time re-inventing the wheel. The secondary shifter arm of this new Valkyrie is different than the first gen ones mainly due to the pivot location and the casting. Not a problem, I will fab one to my liking.

I almost like the option of a peg with a bigger drop but I have to be careful there because of cornering clearance.

Thanks to all for the conversation,
John

 

[TXValk43]

Had the same issue running kuryakyn floorboards even with the comfort mounts which drop 3/4" so i got an adjustable shifter from http://www.dhsracing.com/GL-1800.htm i was able to adjust it a whole inch up before it caused downshifting problems. Now i can fit my riding boot under the shifter plus it really tightened up the shifts. (Recommend purchasing the whole assembly and sending back the core)