Well, good and bad news

[Wall]

Finally worked the nerve up to try and ride the bike. That's the good news.
The bad news, I can't properly feel the top of my foot since the surgery. I still walk with a bit of a flapping foot. I can't control the rate at which my foot falls on the ball after the heal hits the ground. Plus I have lost sensation in my foot for light pressure. Like if just rubbing my foot or if I have slippers on or not. I can't tell without looking. I can feel my foot when I walk on it and if I go to kick something or use the clutch in the truck or equipment. What I can't feel is the top of my foot. When I go to shift up, I can't tell just by feel if my foot is in the right place and how much pressure I'm picking it up with. A couple times I shifted before the clutch and rpms were right. This caused the bike to jerk more than I am comfortable with. I practiced watching my foot position as I shifted but this requires eyes off the road for a few more seconds than I would like. Kept practicing different procedures and moving my foot around, using leg to lift the foot, (not a fine enough motion) and rolling my foot sideways (leaving the outside of my left foot on the board and raising the inside of my foot in a sidewards roll action.) This seemed the most effective but still missed gears by not throwing the sifter far enough up.
It is what I was expecting but I was hoping I would be wrong. I wasn't. This is going to take more effort and refinement of motion.
I am going to see if I can find a heel toe set up for it this week. If it's not outrageous, I will buy it and try it.
I'm still doing duty on the Cape. They have not released any new work in the Merrimac Valley yet, so I am doomed to the Cape maybe till May. So it's tough to practice and work on solutions while I'm not home.
So for now, I'm either going to start looking at boats or corvettes just in case.  

[ybnorml]

You partially described my left foot Paul.....except mine is top and bottom.

Hope you can find a heel/toe shifter, cause you could have issues trying to get in and out of a 'Vette !!

[holmes]

My entire right leg from hip plate to toes 

Life finds a way man

[Big Tom 10628]

Pingle Electric Shifter...  I looked at a trike that had one installed because I am having the same problem.

http://www.pingelonline.com/prodcat/electric-speed-shifters.asp

[Tony C.]

Life finds a way man

Very true.

There's probably leftover 2018 Gold Wing Duel Clutch Transmission (DCT) models available that dealers might be willing to discount. No more foot shifting. Gary rides a DCT and loves it.

I got inspection sticker at Central Mass Power Sports on Saturday. They've got a blue DCT Tour model on the floor, which I think is a 2018. There was no price tag on it, though. Might be less expensive than a boat or Corvette. 

[Wall]

Life finds a way man

Very true.

There's probably leftover 2018 Gold Wing Duel Clutch Transmission (DCT) models available that dealers might be willing to discount. No more foot shifting. Gary rides a DCT and loves it.

I got inspection sticker at Central Mass Power Sports on Saturday. They've got a blue DCT Tour model on the floor, which I think is a 2018. There was no price tag on it, though. Might be less expensive than a boat or Corvette. 

Thanks guys. No one seems to have the heel part of the heel toe shifter. The guy at HK in Hooksett says he believes he has one "out back." He's going to look and get back to me. Thanks for the electrical shifter details. Nice idea but,,
Tony, I think I could persuade Kathy on a new bike, but it may mean going back to the dark side.. By the way she has already made HER opinion clear about the boat or Corvette.

[Hook#3287]

Here's a past post by member Ken Tarver.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,83587.0.html

He found a low cost H\T shifter designed for a Gold Wing that can be used on the Valks.

I've done 2 and they work as well as the $400 used Rattlebars ones.  Just need to get different spacers.

Check it out.

[holmes]

You do know that boat stands for "bust out another thousand" right?

[ybnorml]

Here's a past post by member Ken Tarver.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,83587.0.html

He found a low cost H\T shifter designed for a Gold Wing that can be used on the Valks.

I've done 2 and they work as well as the $400 used Rattlebars ones.  Just need to get different spacers.

Check it out.

Paul owns neither a Valk nor a Goldwing......So I'm guessing that H/T shifter will not work for him.

[ybnorml]

You do know that boat stands for "bust out another thousand" right?

That's figured before inflation...."bust out another ten-thousand"

[RickT2004]

"BOAT" A hole in the water surrounded by wood that you pour money into" Good Luck

[Wall]

You do know that boat stands for "bust out another thousand" right?

A big hole in the water into which you pour money. Yeah, I've owned a couple. Kathy has made it clear, that and the Corvette are NOT options.

[ybnorml]

May I suggest the Cadillac Escalade ESV....plenty of space for all your friends !!!

[GaryC]

How's about a Goldwing DCT? 

[Valkrocket]

Hey Bud,
Got a similar problem with not being able to bend my leg enough after knee replcement. Cured it with this.

paddle shifter at left hand. Semi auto (no clutch). Only need to upshift(paddle). She automatically downshifts.
Extremely fast and will corner around a nickel. Does take some getting used to. Steers like an atv or snow mobile.  Carol loves riding on it. Helmet to helmet communication, on board navigation, pairs with your phone to play music, use apps or answer calls. Having said all this....... I still miss 2maidens every time I go into the garage.(empty feeling). As they say, "time heals all wounds"

Glide-on>>>>>>>>>>

[Tony C.]

Tony, I think I could persuade Kathy on a new bike, but it may mean going back to the dark side..

If Dark Side means HD, not sure how that fixes the issue unless HD makes some sort of electric shifter? But if Dark Side for you means Honda, I know you'd enjoy the Gold Wing DCT. The GL1800 forum has many people who've gone from HD to Honda. Most went from the Ultra-Classic or Road Glide and are very happy with the change.

I hope your physical therapy continues to improve your ability to safely ride your Victory. It's a beautiful bike. Otherwise, you've got options. Don't rush into anything.

[Wall]

Good news. Kevin from HK Powersports says heel half of shifter is on its way! Walked me through the install and should have it done in a half hour. Have to remove floor board but he says it is a simple R and R and just bolt the heel half on and reassemble. I'm almost giddy with antica
  pation. Let's do the time warp again!

[Tony C.]

I'm almost giddy with anticipation. Let's do the time warp again!

Excellent!   

[Karen]

Yaaaaay! Hoping this works for you, but if not, you're not out of options... a Majesty, frinstance....

[Wall]

Yaaaaay! Hoping this works for you, but if not, you're not out of options... a Majesty, frinstance....

Oh My. There's room for but one Majesty in this Kingdom and that would be you my Lady

[ybnorml]

Rumors have it Polaris / Indian are coming out with a fixed fairing Roadie look-alike... !!!
Liquid-cooled, 1770cc, and @120 hp.....

Just some food for thought Paul......

[DanL]

If you are and it's not working, you might think about going to a different PT?

There are great PTs and there are real bad PTs. 

Good luck

[Tony C.]

Rumors have it Polaris / Indian are coming out with a fixed fairing Roadie look-alike... !!!
Liquid-cooled, 1770cc, and @120 hp.....

Going to be interesting for sure.




120 HP water cooled engine will make for lots of fun! 

[ybnorml]

That could be a decent bike....

For some reason the fairing and gas tank are under wraps....

[Ponte]

Personally, I think the motor is ugly, but that's just me. I can tell you first hand, the Road Glide with the Milwaukee 8 117ci motor is an amazing machine to ride.  Take care

[sssportsmfg]

Finally worked the nerve up to try and ride the bike. That's the good news.
The bad news, I can't properly feel the top of my foot since the surgery. I still walk with a bit of a flapping foot. I can't control the rate at which my foot falls on the ball after the heal hits the ground. Plus I have lost sensation in my foot for light pressure. Like if just rubbing my foot or if I have slippers on or not. I can't tell without looking. I can feel my foot when I walk on it and if I go to kick something or use the clutch in the truck or equipment. What I can't feel is the top of my foot. When I go to shift up, I can't tell just by feel if my foot is in the right place and how much pressure I'm picking it up with. A couple times I shifted before the clutch and rpms were right. This caused the bike to jerk more than I am comfortable with. I practiced watching my foot position as I shifted but this requires eyes off the road for a few more seconds than I would like. Kept practicing different procedures and moving my foot around, using leg to lift the foot, (not a fine enough motion) and rolling my foot sideways (leaving the outside of my left foot on the board and raising the inside of my foot in a sidewards roll action.) This seemed the most effective but still missed gears by not throwing the sifter far enough up.
It is what I was expecting but I was hoping I would be wrong. I wasn't. This is going to take more effort and refinement of motion.
I am going to see if I can find a heel toe set up for it this week. If it's not outrageous, I will buy it and try it.
I'm still doing duty on the Cape. They have not released any new work in the Merrimac Valley yet, so I am doomed to the Cape maybe till May. So it's tough to practice and work on solutions while I'm not home.
So for now, I'm either going to start looking at boats or corvettes just in case.  

Well I'm a babe in the woods when it comes to the Valkyrie.....so I have to ask and make a recommendation at the same time.....do they make a gear indicator for the Valkyrie?   I also own a Suzuki M109R, and my 2013 has the gear indicator, but the older models didn't, but they make one aftermarket.   That might help you if they make one, mount it high at the bars so you can see the shift change?......

Marty