She popped out of second

[Tfrank59]

Well I just kind of had my 30000 mile anniversary with my girl and I was making a turn yesterday and apparently didn't follow through fully on my shift into second and rather than missing it completely the bike actually went a little ways and then it popped out of gear. That's the first time that's ever happened to me with that bike and it really bothered me. I know it was my fault but I just hope that the cogs arent like getting worn or something. I stopped and shifted from first to second like 15 times after that making sure I fully shifted and it didn't happen at all and today on my ride it didn't happen at all but has that ever happened to any of you guys?

[Jess from VA]

You just limp-footed the shift.  I wouldn't worry about it if it's not chronic.

[Chrisj CMA]

I know I have missed second a couple times. It's been a long while and memory is not clear, but I think it was on my Valkyrie that the same thing happened once shortly after I bought the bike. Certainly has not been a problem since 2002. Like was said, don't worry about it, these transmissions are tough. One time slipping out of gear is not going to hurt it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Yes, I've done it before also.

[Tfrank59]

It certainly hasn't been chronic but I'm just looking for reassurance that it won't become that way. Again I know that as Jess said I limpfooted it but like I said also it bothered me that it partially went in gear whereas I'll admit probably a handful of times I've missed second completely. The thing too about second gear is that's the time when normally I'm on it pretty hard for torque, not so much first gear or the higher gears. I guess I just got to work on making sure I make that shift correctly and that it's in gear before I get on it.  maybe I should think about repositioning my shift lever?

[Bagger John - #3785]

Yes, I've done it before also.

A few times on my first Tourer over the years. As far as I know it's still going strong with its second owner.

[old2soon]

Trust me you AIN'T the only one here what missed a gear on our Ghurls.   Can't recollect the part # but I installed the longer shift lever from I believe a V T X and while it moved it a tad further back on my boot(s) it now shifts easier and I have kept the old stock shifter in my spares box. In all things these Valkyries of ours prefer strong hands and strong feet.   RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

If I had to toe shift (up), I'd probably do it all the time.  

With a heel toe shifter, that shift is a solid heel kick down using the whole lower leg power (and weight), and not just an ankle power up-move.......not really hard, but very positive.

What happens to me from time to time is that I toe push down to go from neutral to first, the bike trans makes a very audible/definite clunk, but I am not in first but still in neutral, and I let out the clutch and I don't depart.  When I hear the clunk, I don't look at my neutral light, I'm looking to see it's safe to depart.  Again, it is a weak toe push.  This is not as bad as the bike getting half way into 2d and then popping out, but I believe it's caused by the same less than positive foot shifting.  The square cut gears are very tough.  You don't need/want to slam the shifter, but you need to do more than nudge it.

I have tried the preloading of the shifter (like taking the slack out of a pistol trigger, before pulling the trigger) by taking all the slack out of the shifter, before the shift, and it works very well.  I just don't need to do it all the time.  But using this technique, you should never miss a shift.

If you have (foot) room for moving the shifter up or down a single tooth on the splines, you might get more positive shifts.  Only trial and error can answer that. (Before I did this years ago, I drug a punch tip across the spline shaft and shifter clamp, so I had a benchmark to show where I started from (it's still there, but not visible without close inspection)

The last thing is that this more often than not happens (for me) when the bike has just been started and is not fully warmed up.  All the oil is not fully and warmly flowing through the engine and trans yet.  What may be a sufficiently powered shift later during the ride, may not be enough power when the bike is still cold.

My '03 Dodge Intrepid with just 30K miles really likes to run for a full minute before I put it in drive.  It often sits for a week or two without being run.  If I run out and hit the starter and hit drive, it may sit there for a few seconds before deciding to engage.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah heel-toe shifters are awesome I've got that on my other bike and I never have a problem upshifting but I might just try repositioning 1 spline down on the valk shifter. Wonder what it would take to Fab up by heel-toe for my valk...just thinking out loud

[Jess from VA]

Frank, supposedly, a readily available (and cheap) used 1500 Wing heel toe shifter can be modded up to fit the Valk (I think the mods are mostly a bunch of correct spacers and bolts), but I don't have any more details. 

It would beat the hell out of the hard to find and expensive Rattlebars shifters I have (or a complete MC Enterprizes kit with floorboards included, that is really expensive).

I don't think the 1500 Wing shifter conversion to Valk ever made it into Shoptalk (I could be wrong).

[Tfrank59]

Okay well I'll look into that. I had the opportunity to buy a heel toe shifter a few years ago and now I'm kicking myself that I didn't haha. For what it's worth I don't think I want floorboards not on my Valkyrie

[Tfrank59]

Update: well I rode over 100 miles yesterday, mostly city and secondary roads so lots of shifting, and as usual she didn't miss a beat, didn't pop out of gear, no malfunctions at all.  I'm gonna say what happened the other day when she popped out of second was a fluke and hopefully a one-time occurrence. Truth is when I'm riding for hours there's times I'm not focused on every single movement I make, kind of like driving a car you know. But it really just startled me that time she popped out of second because as you know with a big bike when you expect power and then it's cut short well it usually ends badly, especially in a turn.  Good thing I didn't drop her in that turn!  So I'm gonna say happy ending here and although I will keep my eyes peeled for a heel-toe shifter – man those things are pricey! – I'm not gonna worry about changing anything except maybe my driving habits

[Jess from VA]

Frank, the day I drove to Reading PA to buy my first Valk (IS) ('05), I had never ridden or even sat on one.

I had already discussed my lifelong history of riding to the seller, and he said go take it for a spin.

I sat on it and fired it up and rolled down his slightly elevated driveway to the street.

I clutched, toe shifted to first (CLUNK), leaned her over hard to turn up the street, but when I let the clutch out, I was still in neutral.  The bike wanted to fall over badly, and I straight-legged it and used every bit of upper body I had to not drop it (right in front of him).  Once upright again, I again toe shifted HARD to first, and went for my ride.

I wish that was the only time that ever happened.

I once did exactly the same thing with my full dress Harley, and the bike went over and pinned me to a conveniently placed stop sign mounted on an old 4x4 post.   I was stuck like a wiggling bug.  In public.  Humbling experiences are good for us.  And provide laughter to the world.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Frank, the day I drove to Reading PA to buy my first Valk (IS) ('05), I had never ridden or even sat on one.

I had already discussed my lifelong history of riding to the seller, and he said go take it for a spin.

I sat on it and fired it up and rolled down his slightly elevated driveway to the street.

I clutched, toe shifted to first (CLUNK), leaned her over hard to turn up the street, but when I let the clutch out, I was still in neutral.  The bike wanted to fall over badly, and I straight-legged it and used every bit of upper body I had to not drop it (right in front of him).  Once upright again, I again toe shifted HARD to first, and went for my ride.

I wish that was the only time that ever happened.

I once did exactly the same thing with my full dress Harley, and the bike went over and pinned me to a conveniently placed stop sign mounted on an old 4x4 post.   I was stuck like a wiggling bug.  In public.  Humbling experiences are good for us.  And provide laughter to the world.   

I have no doubt that providing humor to the world is a good thing. I'm not sure how public humiliation is good for the soul.  I do think I would have enjoyed your "wiggling bug" impersonation though.

[Gryphon Rider]

I've missed the 1-2 shift a handful of times over the years.  It usually happened when I was trying to impress someone with the Valk's acceleration. D'oh!  No harm done, though.