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DragonRdr
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« on: March 18, 2022, 04:39:19 PM » |
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Has anyone out there installed the Shifter Buddy to get rid of the excess shifter movement?
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
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JimC
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« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2022, 04:49:48 PM » |
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I installed the Jersey bracket and it helped considerably. The shifter buddy is very similar in design from what I have heard, so it should help.
Jim
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Jim Callaghan SE Wisconsin
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RonW
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« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2022, 05:58:28 PM » |
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Unfortunately the original Shifter Buddy was knocked off by various ebay vendors (pics below). They are cheaper but I don't know about buying those ebay clones. The originals are still available here.   |
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2000 Valkyrie Tourer
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sandy
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« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2022, 10:34:55 PM » |
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I purchased 3 shifter buddies. Installed all 3 on mine and 2 friends Valks. The biggest improvement is finding neutral from either 1st or 2nd.
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ShiftHappens
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« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2022, 03:35:52 AM » |
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I installed shifter buddy about 2 years ago. I like the improvement in clean precise shifts.
I also like that it is non invasive. No holes to drill. You could take it off and it would be like it was never there.
Highly recommended.
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« Last Edit: March 19, 2022, 03:37:58 AM by ShiftHappens »
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1999 Interstate  |
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DragonRdr
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« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2022, 04:55:58 AM » |
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Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to purchase the original that's on FaceBook.  Looking forward to riding season! |
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
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SCain
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« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2022, 05:33:53 AM » |
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Steve  |
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Foozle
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« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2022, 06:14:22 AM » |
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Both are quality builds and designs - and, IMHO, well worth the effort.
I have floorboards and kick shifters on both my Valks - and found the Shifter Buddy to be a more seamless install.
If memory serves, the Jersey bracket requires a few minor mods in this particular application.
YMMV.
Terry
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Knapdog
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« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2022, 06:44:16 AM » |
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This looks interesting.
I've contacted the guy on Facebook regarding price and shipment but could someone explain exactly what the Shifter Buddy does and the differences I'd notice, please?
Thanks.
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Stay between the hedges!
'98 Honda Valkyrie Tourer⁸
'96 Honda C90
'83 Honda C90C
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DragonRdr
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« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2022, 06:57:15 AM » |
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Knapdog, it supposed to get rid of the sloppy gear lever movement because of the long gear shaft linkage. Here's a link to a good YouTube video that explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrA1Gkimj3wIt also shows the seal replacement, but I think you'll get the idea. Here's another video that shows the installation only: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVOpn33-r-8 |
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« Last Edit: March 19, 2022, 07:00:14 AM by DragonRdr »
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
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Knapdog
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« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2022, 07:34:19 AM » |
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My Valkyrie is the only one I've ever seen so I can't go to another one to check, but..... Have I got one already? ...  |
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Stay between the hedges!
'98 Honda Valkyrie Tourer⁸
'96 Honda C90
'83 Honda C90C
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SCain
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« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2022, 07:42:31 AM » |
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My Valkyrie is the only one I've ever seen so I can't go to another one to check, but..... Have I got one already? ... Yes, that is my Shifter Buddy. |
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Steve |
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Knapdog
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« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2022, 08:50:55 AM » |
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My Valkyrie is the only one I've ever seen so I can't go to another one to check, but..... Have I got one already? ... Yes, that is my Shifter Buddy. OK, thanks, Steve. You can now ignore our to and fro messages today. Thank you. |
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Stay between the hedges!
'98 Honda Valkyrie Tourer⁸
'96 Honda C90
'83 Honda C90C
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DragonRdr
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« Reply #13 on: March 19, 2022, 09:00:07 AM » |
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My Valkyrie is the only one I've ever seen so I can't go to another one to check, but..... Have I got one already? ... Yes, that is my Shifter Buddy. Steve, my order and check is on the way. Larry |
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
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Bagger John - #3785
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« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2022, 09:55:31 AM » |
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Both are quality builds and designs - and, IMHO, well worth the effort.
I have floorboards and kick shifters on both my Valks - and found the Shifter Buddy to be a more seamless install.
If memory serves, the Jersey bracket requires a few minor mods in this particular application.
YMMV.
Terry
Likewise. And while both of mine are relatively low mileage bikes (the bushings and seals aren't worn), adding the part made shifting smoother. I also went this route instead of the Jersey for the same reason, but either product definitely works better than the stock design. |
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Timbo1
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« Reply #15 on: March 19, 2022, 11:09:56 AM » |
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Guess I need someone to explain this to me. It seems to me this design prevents the normal rotational movement of the shaft and forces it to vertical movement, either flexing the shaft or wobbling it at the engine stub, neither of which would seem like a good idea?
I would think 2 V shaped pieces inverted with a bearing or bushing on the bottom V would serve the same purpose in stabilizing the the outer end of the shifter shaft while still allowing the normal rotation for shifting?
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #16 on: March 19, 2022, 11:16:26 AM » |
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From my understanding, they do not interfere with normal shifting at all. They just stop the wobble and flex of the shift shaft.
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SCain
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« Reply #17 on: March 19, 2022, 05:13:38 PM » |
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Guess I need someone to explain this to me. It seems to me this design prevents the normal rotational movement of the shaft and forces it to vertical movement, either flexing the shaft or wobbling it at the engine stub, neither of which would seem like a good idea?
I would think 2 V shaped pieces inverted with a bearing or bushing on the bottom V would serve the same purpose in stabilizing the the outer end of the shifter shaft while still allowing the normal rotation for shifting?
Timbo1, The shifter shaft does not rotate It only goes up and down. The shifter buddy provides an outboard shifter shaft support to keep it in line with shaft that comes out of the engine. |
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Steve |
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Timbo1
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« Reply #18 on: March 19, 2022, 06:39:51 PM » |
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Timbo1, The shifter shaft does not rotate It only goes up and down. The shifter buddy provides an outboard shifter shaft support to keep it in line with shaft that comes out of the engine.
Guess I should have inspected the linkage prior to posting my questions. My assumption were wrong and it is indeed a vertical movement only and no rotational movement. Makes sense now how it supports the outer length of the shifter shaft. Thanks. |
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Valkorado
Member
Posts: 10491
VRCC DS 0242
Gunnison, Colorado (7,703') Here there be twisties.
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« Reply #19 on: March 20, 2022, 04:17:04 AM » |
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For those on the fence, these really work great for improving the sloppy shifting our old bikes develop over time. Keeping the shifter flush and wobble free should help prevent future seal leaks, or at least that's what I'm hoping. I have one of SCain's, highly recommended.
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« Last Edit: March 20, 2022, 04:20:54 AM by Valkorado »
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Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good, there's always a pigeon that'll come sh!t on your hood? - John Prine 97 Tourer "Silver Bullet" 01 Interstate "Ruby"  |
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Gondul
Member
Posts: 257
VRCC #408
Central Florida
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« Reply #20 on: March 20, 2022, 09:07:04 AM » |
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For those on the fence, these really work great for improving the sloppy shifting our old bikes develop over time. Keeping the shifter flush and wobble free should help prevent future seal leaks, or at least that's what I'm hoping. I have one of SCain's, highly recommended.
These bikes have always needed a firm shift, IMO it is a $50 answer to a $5 part... |
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As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion....
John Adams - 1797
Because Thou lovest the Burning-ground,
I have made a Burning-ground of my heart
That Thou, Dark One, hunter of the Burning-ground,
Mayest dance Thy eternal dance.
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LTD
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« Reply #21 on: March 21, 2022, 05:44:33 AM » |
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Both are good highly recommended
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F6BANGER
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« Reply #22 on: March 21, 2022, 09:39:40 AM » |
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Unfortunately the original Shifter Buddy was knocked off by various ebay vendors (pics below). They are cheaper but I don't know about buying those ebay clones. The originals are still available here. The knock off version has a thicker upper bracket making it harder to install between engine guard and spacer. It also looks to rub metal to metal. |
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DragonRdr
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« Reply #23 on: March 30, 2022, 05:11:39 AM » |
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I got my Shifter Buddy with a link to video installation instructions from Steve Cain yesterday. I'm going to install this weekend. |
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« Last Edit: March 30, 2022, 05:13:15 AM by DragonRdr »
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1745
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #25 on: April 01, 2022, 06:06:04 AM » |
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On a note, I purchased 2 pk.of Vitron seals from Amazon last night for $7.00. Hoping to get the Buddy ordered today. My biggest issue is finding neutral when fully warmed.
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DragonRdr
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« Reply #26 on: April 01, 2022, 06:20:11 AM » |
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Exactly, finding neutral after the bike warms up is one of my problems too. I'm all set to do the install of the Shifter Buddy. I'm also going to look at the shifter shaft seal before just to make sure I don't need to replace it too. |
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16769
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #27 on: April 01, 2022, 06:28:55 AM » |
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I installed a set of BBT forward controls on my Valkyrie in 2007, so there's always been a lot of floppy linkage on my bike  ... nevertheless, it has always shifted well, so I noted the appearance of these "shifter solutions" with disinterest when they started showing up. Punisher gave me a Shifter Buddy at the Taos Inzane, and I installed it after a while. It made a noticeable difference in the way the shifter pedal feels, and certainly reduces seemingly undesirable movement of the extra long shaft that comes from the engine... I experienced the shifter shaft seal failure and the resulting mess once, maybe the Shifter Buddy will help with that. Anywho... I'm glad I installed mine... -Mike |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #28 on: April 01, 2022, 07:33:48 AM » |
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Exactly, finding neutral after the bike warms up is one of my problems too.
I have no shift buddies because I don't want to cut up my heel toe shifters. (at least for the Jersey product)
For many years, my trick to finding neutral (once in 1st or 2d) is that my foot barely brushes the shift peg. And I'm staring at the neutral light looking for green.
Shifts between gears needs to be authoritative, though not brutal.
But shifts for neutral need to be feather light.
98% of the time, this does it. But once in a while she just won't find neutral.
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« Last Edit: April 01, 2022, 07:36:03 AM by Jess from VA »
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DragonRdr
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« Reply #29 on: April 16, 2022, 09:14:24 AM » |
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Finally installed my Shifter Buddy this morning and it works great! Definitely worth the investment. |
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
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Cracker Jack
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« Reply #30 on: April 16, 2022, 09:30:38 PM » |
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I have a Jersey shifter bracket new and never installed that I will sell if someone needs one. PM me if you're interested.
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DragonRdr
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« Reply #31 on: July 13, 2022, 04:31:38 AM » |
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Just wanted to post an update on my Shifter Buddy. I installed it 3 months ago and the shifting is a lot smoother now. I've put about 1000 miles on the Valk so far this year and it was absolutely worth the investment! Thanks SCAIN. |
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
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jdp
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« Reply #32 on: July 13, 2022, 08:35:53 PM » |
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I just installed one I found on eBay for $30 and it works
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rww930
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« Reply #33 on: July 17, 2022, 04:27:51 PM » |
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Yes, a real one not a knock off. Worked exactly as advertised. Highly recommended.
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Pappy!
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« Reply #34 on: July 23, 2022, 06:15:03 PM » |
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Exactly, finding neutral after the bike warms up is one of my problems too.
I have no shift buddies because I don't want to cut up my heel toe shifters. (at least for the Jersey product)
For many years, my trick to finding neutral (once in 1st or 2d) is that my foot barely brushes the shift peg. And I'm staring at the neutral light looking for green.
Shifts between gears needs to be authoritative, though not brutal.
But shifts for neutral need to be feather light.
98% of the time, this does it. But once in a while she just won't find neutral.
I have a heel/toe shifter as well and installed the one that was sold at this year's Inzane. 5 minute install and a good difference. |
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