Shift Lever issues

Fore Stroke · Sep 14, 2009

Dudes & dudettes,

It's been awhile. I won't go into all the details, but a medical condition that bedeviled me in the spring is mostly behind me (but no riding during that time), but it has left me with a 'condition' that makes current riding 'problematic.'

Got on bike today (2007 1300A); started OK, idled well.....BUT - my medical issues have splayed out my left foot at about a 25 - 30 angle; can't move it back in; thus can't currently use stock shifter.

I feel perfectly OK to ride; but not having an AE and not being able to manipulate the shifter makes it kinda tough.

Where is a good resource for a shifter that's longer than stock with a shift toe bar that's about an inch longer than stock? (that's all I need to get proper leverage).

If this has been previously covered in the GEN II Bin O Facts or elsewhere on the board I apologize for my redundancy (like I said, been off the board for a while now), but I'd really value everyone's input for a suitable replacement (dirt bike? cruiser single lever?)

Thanks much in advance,

Forestroke (aka Don Gaitten)

Panman · Sep 14, 2009

Fore Stroke said:
Dudes & dudettes,
It's been awhile. I won't go into all the details, but a medical condition that bedeviled me in the spring is mostly behind me (but no riding during that time), but it has left me with a 'condition' that makes current riding 'problematic.'

Got on bike today (2007 1300A); started OK, idled well.....BUT - my medical issues have splayed out my left foot at about a 25 - 30 angle; can't move it back in; thus can't currently use stock shifter.

I feel perfectly OK to ride; but not having an AE and not being able to manipulate the shifter makes it kinda tough.

Where is a good resource for a shifter that's longer than stock with a shift toe bar that's about an inch longer than stock? (that's all I need to get proper leverage).

If this has been previously covered in the GEN II Bin O Facts or elsewhere on the board I apologize for my redundancy (like I said, been off the board for a while now), but I'd really value everyone's input for a suitable replacement (dirt bike? cruiser single lever?)

Thanks much in advance,

Forestroke (aka Don Gaitten)

Cut and weld.

Fred W · Sep 14, 2009

I don't recall anyone ever asking this question before. I don't think there is anything "ready made" for your condition, but I would think that it wouldn't be too hard to buy a replacement shift lever and cob something together with a longer toe bar. Of course you'd have to be careful not to drag it on turns...

If you don't have the mechanical skilz, I bet someone else on here does, and maybe they'd help a fellow rider get back on their steed for expenses?

Grumpy · Sep 14, 2009

Fred W said:
I don't recall anyone ever asking this question before. I don't think there is anything "ready made" for your condition, but I would think that it wouldn't be too hard to buy a replacement shift lever and cob something together with a longer toe bar. Of course you'd have to be careful not to drag it on turns... If you don't have the mechanical skilz, I bet someone else on here does, and maybe they'd help a fellow rider get back on their steed for expenses?

In accient times when I rode dirt bikes, a number of them had spring loaded the front part of the shifter bar. That would solve the dragging problem, maybe?

FJRay · Sep 14, 2009

When I lowered the pegs on mine it also moved the pegs foward so there wasn't room for my big feet. The cut and weld route is what works. If you do that make sure to remove the shift lever from the bracket and keep the pivot end in water or get the bushing out of it because its plastic and will melt when you weld it. Mine now has a bronze bushing. The lever itself welds good so add what you need and glue it back together.

johnny80s · Sep 14, 2009

Now the 64 million dollar question... Is there anyone in Ohio who can help Fore Stroke out?

Fore Stroke · Sep 15, 2009

johnny80s said:
Now the 64 million dollar question... Is there anyone in Ohio who can help Fore Stroke out?

Johhny80s -

Good call out. Thnaks much.

Don

FJRay · Sep 15, 2009

I am not in Ohio but I have yet to see a town in this country that doesn't have a welding or fab shop in the area. It is a real easy fix. I would offer to do it via mail but without the bike and operator it would be a bit tough.

rwenck · Sep 15, 2009

When I sprained my left ankle several years ago the pain was too severe to shift either up or down. Being in the middle of a 9-day ride and more than 2000 miles from home I had few options. Here's what I did: Downshift--step on the shift lever with my heel. Up: Hook the back of my heel on the lever and lift with my leg. I made it home OK; didn't slow me down too much. The biggest problem was stopping carefully to keep pressure off of left foot. Dismounting/kickstand almost killed me, of course, but I survived.

Fore Stroke · Sep 15, 2009

May have happened on solution for problem.

Went to local parts store today (Iron Pony); found shifter lever about 2" longer than stock and toe bar and attaching bracket extending out about an inch further than stock - it's a replacement part for a Suzuki dirtbike (thanks for the dirtbike idea, Grumpy!).

I'll keep everybody posted on how this $16 experiment works out. If it works, I may have a new line of work for older FJR riders who "can't get it up with the shifter lever" anymore!

Thanks all.

Don

dcarver · Sep 16, 2009

Good idea on the dirt bike shifter - but I think I'd measure lean angles by carefully lowering the bike (2 big healthy friends is a plus) before punching the twisties hard..

Fred W · Sep 16, 2009

Or, if you don't want to lower the bike down to the point of (potentially) dropping it, try holding a sheet of plywood up along side the bike with one long edge on the floor and butting against the tires to "simulate" the road at maximum lean angle.

stealth1 · Sep 16, 2009

Just saying

I knew a guy with a similar problem with shifting who rode a ZX-14.

He installed an aftermarket electric shifter and was quite happy with the result.

I don't know what brand it was or what the cost was but you could check into it if your mod doesn't give you satisfaction.

BigDaddy · Oct 6, 2009

Fore Stroke said:
May have happened on solution for problem.
Went to local parts store today (Iron Pony); found shifter lever about 2" longer than stock and toe bar and attaching bracket extending out about an inch further than stock - it's a replacement part for a Suzuki dirtbike (thanks for the dirtbike idea, Grumpy!).

I'll keep everybody posted on how this $16 experiment works out. If it works, I may have a new line of work for older FJR riders who "can't get it up with the shifter lever" anymore!

Thanks all.

Don

Don, did that work. I have to twist my ankle to some weird angle to use the shift pedal. I prefer to downshift with the pedal rather than the finger paddle. It seems to be smoother. I would prefer a shift pedal that sticks out an additional inch or so. Especially if anything happens to the little grey button.

Thanks, Big Daddy

Grumpy · Oct 6, 2009

Fred W said:
Or, if you don't want to lower the bike down to the point of (potentially) dropping it, try holding a sheet of plywood up along side the bike with one long edge on the floor and butting against the tires to "simulate" the road at maximum lean angle.

Even a piece of cardboard gets you close.

jim

Shift Lever issues

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