DOC HARLEY: SHIFTER LEVER ADJUSTMENT

Doc Harley from the Service Clinic at Low Country Harley-Davidson to help you with the health of your motorcycle! This week he talks about how your heel toe shifter levers can be adjusted to fit your shoe size/style.
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Doc Harley is a motorcycle technician at Low Country Harley-Davidson with over thirty years working on motorcycles. Over the years at the dealership he has worked on Harley-Davidson, Buell, and Triumph motorcycles with a few other brands here and there from trade-ins. There are thousands of how-to videos out on youtube and other websites across the world. Doc’s goal is to help solve problems that people run into when using their service manual, share insights only found as a certified Harley® technician, and some of the tips he’s picked up over the years.
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[@michaelwalker3920]

Doc I could listen to you talk forever. You have a calm and reassuring voice. I feel now I can handle some of the minor fixes and adjustments to my Road King confidently. Thank you.

[@Soxruleyanksdrool]

I switched my steel toe boots from Carolina to Chippewa. Never had a problem before, but the new boots are taller up front and shifting my Dyna has become more difficult. This is exactly the info I needed. Thanx muchly.

[@Jaminphotos]

Thanks Doc. I'm not new to riding but this video helped a lot. My work boot had me change my shift lever but splines made it too high. Now I'm excited to fine tune a bit. Thank you again

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Glad it helped….Doc

[@willyafg]

Thanks for this vid lol. Super simple mod but glad I had this to refer to. I kept missing my shifter on upshifts. Sucker was sitting just a little too high. Got it just where it needs to be now. Gonna test ride tmrrw

[@Liveharley1]

Have a problem come to the Doc, just got my 2022 Road king and I want to try a heel shifter. thanks

[@Thomasj876]

Great Video, just bought new boots, that don't fit under the shifter...thanks!

[@THEKING-tt5rp]

thank you Doc Harley, very helpful tips coming from you.

[@jimfarnell5813]

I have for years adjusted my shifter so that both of arms are low. I use the forward shifter for downshifting only and the heel shifter for upshifting only... they are as low as they can go without touching floor boards...

[@kingkrimson8771]

I do the same Jim. Also added H-D extended levers so size 12 boot fits comfortably on the board. Those who wear out their shift splines must be "stomp shifters".

[@mikejw58]

Anyone who upshifts with the rear shift lever doesn't know how to ride a motorcycle. Yeah I said it.

[@bikersoncall]

Great, like that upgraded shift link , going on the list..

[@blujack100]

Terrific. Timely advice. Thanks

[@luckygoldberg1425]

Excellent!!! Just what I needed to know!!! Thanks!

[@BrewCityRider]

Great clear vid on these procedures Doc!

[@anoldmaninthewoods2548]

Hey Doc. I've got a 2005 883, can this be done on it? Thanks.

[@markcyrus5517]

Doc Harley push button and lower trunk on Triglide is leaking how do you fix that

[@camomanofcranham]

Great tip D H...

[@robbiehutslar5509]

Great video! Thanks for the video Doc!

[@johnasbury9915]

I would add that you should loctite the inner shift arm Because the bolt that holds it in can vibrate out over time, you you lose the shaft and your shifters as you roll down the highway w your feet on the highway pegs... go to downshift... nothing... don’t ask me How I know. The parts dude in Sioux Falls said I was the 5th guy in there that week w the same problem... shifted by hand across SD. Not much fun.

[@Wooley689]

Great info, thanks.

[@ctscantechnologist]

Very cool.

[@damonpilalis6399]

Great video!

[@paulrevere4326]

I hate the heel shifter, so I took it off. Blame it on my motocross days as a youth.

[@charlieangkor8649]

Once I asked Honda if they can adjust this they said no. Then I bought it realized it has the spline unscrewed reinserted and it was perfectly adjusted. I think Honda doesn’t even understand the product they are selling.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks Honda :)...Doc

[@williamfeuerstein8072]

Hi doc , i come from a heavy equipment mechanic back ground , in my field i use never seeze , can this be used on anything being dismantled on bikes

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Yes. Axle shafts, foot peg pivot area, to name a few. Choose wisely where. Thanks ~ Doc

[@bethany-joyrobertson4054]

Does anyone know the torque setting for adjusting the gear lever on a road king classic 1998 1450cc ? Manual doesn’t say

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Beth if it is a 1/4-20 bolt, Manual says 7-9 ft/lbs….Doc

[@bethany-joyrobertson4054]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson thank you 7nm to 9 nm cooo thank you been searching everywhere

[@thekingsservant1104]

I hate heal toe shifters, can never get the down shift right without screwing it up

[@beardedwonder8864]

Dang it Doc! I’m always in flip flops! The comments I got when I was in sturgis were crazy, I like to be comfy. 🤣

[@jim73challenger]

Comfy and stupid as hell!

[@rajm2309]

Doc Harley, HELP!!! My mechanic is stumped. My 2016 Sportster 48 is vibrating excessively. I can feel the buzzing on my hands and feet. We already changed the rubber mounts but still not resolved.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Do you still have stock exhausts on?

[@rajm2309]

Low Country Harley-Davidson Yes

[@rajm2309]

Low Country Harley-Davidson I bought it with 2,000 miles and it didn’t start happening ‘til around 29,000 miles. I’m on 32,000 now. So I’m very familiar with the feel of the bike.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Does everything else run normal? Just a vibration issue?

[@rajm2309]

Low Country Harley-Davidson Yes, everything is great. Just the vibration.

[@mikehammer2408]

One point to make is that dont go ape shit hitting the shifter hard when shifting. It takes nearly nothing to put into gear but people love to Kick the crap out of them then wonder why they strip

[@michaelberns2850]

Harley's telling me that I have to pull the rocker boxes to adjust the lifters on a 2002 Harley-Davidson fls TFI fat boy ???

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Sir Harley would assume you have the Stock - Solid- non adjustable push rods in your bike. There is no adjustment to lifters with stock push rods…..Doc

[@mikegodwin3019]

I can listen to Doc for hours , a great tip this one my rear shifter is always too high . Dealer ought to check as a norm.

[@mikejw58]

Its too bad that harley is so cheap now that they don't even give you a heal shifter anymore

[@keystonedaytrip238]

Just one thought 💭 If Harley would engineer the shift linkage rod with right-hand threads on one end , and left-hand threads on the other end you would only need to loosen the jam nuts then turn the rod the appropriate way to shorten it or lengthen it - just like a turn-buckle 👍

[@jameswiggin2631]

My thoughts as well.

[@T56JetMech]

Thanks Doc, Another helpful video. Got the adjustments made.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Great to hear…..Doc

[@kellyw20]

THis may sound stupid, however I played with my shifter linkage since I purchaed an engine guard and my shifter peg was rubbing against it so I had to make an adjustment on the linkage where the long shaft rod screws into the gear assembly (I think) to the shifter where my foot rests on. Unfortunately when I did this I can no longer shift into any gear, I am not sure what is cauing this to happen since before I made the adjustment the shifter was able to shit into any gears without any issues. In case you are wonder what motorcycle I have, it's a 2014 Harley Davidson Night Rod Special so you know what I am working with. I am wondering if the linkage has to be at a 90 degrees for the linkage to work correctly but I am not 100% sure. Any suggestions you may have would be appreciated.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

You are on the right thought. There has to be enough travel to rotate the shift drum. But first look very closely at the foot lever travel. Is it touching a cover or reaching the end of the internal bushing fitment. You are correct that 90 degrees is perfect…..Doc

[@jahorta70]

hi...I like the heel toe shifter but I have big feet(size 14 men) so I bought the extended toe shifter which is 3.5 inches longer. I no longer have any problems getting to the heel part, but when my foot is on the board, no part of my foot is under the toe shifter; I have to slide my foot forward to get it under. Do you see that as a problem? Really, the only time I need to shift up with my toe is to find neutral. What do you think??? Thanks!!!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

It sounds like you fit perfectly. Great Job….Doc

[@grangus76]

I adjusted the gears pedal on my streetbob 22 and it was hard to land it on first gear when I stop so I put it back on the original position but I can only wear slim boots when ridding, any subjection?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Look closely behind the inner primary. You should see an adjustable linkage. Use this to fine tune your gear shifter height….Doc

[@chuckswildberger2262]

Hey Doc, I have a 1999 road king how do I know when to grease my shifter?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

At every service….Doc

[@kevenclark7168]

As always, another great video about the small things that make such a big difference- Thanks Doc!!

[@nevillegreg1]

I fitted mini floor boards to my 2018 FXLR. While not absolutely necessary, I would nonetheless like to raise the position on the foot brake lever ever so slightly. Is this possible and if so, may well be helpful to me and others who may wish to adjust the height of their foot brake lever if you did a video on this. Thks.

[@MikeNewtown-pt1lg]

My heated grips not working properly on my 2014 limited

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Have you changed anything in the fairing or added another accessory? Check your accessory fuse and the condition of your bike battery and charging system. Not enough amps to supply the much demanding heated grips will effect its performance….Doc

[@sumncguy]

This is a great tip. My heel shifter is way to high.

[@cluuck4617]

And you can remove the back one and put a cover on the spline. Never did get use to the heal shifter.

[@garyzanghi9272]

Someone needed my heel shifter more than I did i guess Disappeared while parked at an event

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

That’s sad…..Doc

[@allangosling6134]

I am very happy I found your video. I have limited range of motion in my left ankle and more than likely will have to get the shifter fine tuned for better accuracy. I have more power in foot to push down and very little up. Thank you very much for your tip.

[@elithegreat6463]

That rear shift lever can also be used as a nice Fishing Weight, HATE THEM 👎

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

FXDR/R9T HD & BMW 👍🏼👍🏼

[@IIllytch321nonadinfinitum]

A verbose, potentially awkwardly-worded question if I may: We have an 07 Electra Glide and the toe side shift bar's spline was worn out so it was essentially unusable as it would slip. The way the "main splined shaft" is (the shaft that the toe and heel shift bars attach to) has two smooth slots for what I guess are the tightening (allen) bolts to sit into (that maybe helps lock the shift bar in place as to keep it from sliding off the end of the main shaft?). This means that the shifter bar's splines only wore out at either end while the middle splines (about a third of the total splines) were healthy (as the healthy portion was matching with that smooth portion of the main shaft that pairs with the allen bolt). I simply loosened the shifter bar and slid it out along the main shaft (away from the body of the bike) maybe half an inch such that the healthy portion of the spline was matching with the splined part of the main shaft rather than all the way into the smooth groove (the proper way). I tightened that allen bolt quite a bit, maybe to what felt like at least 25 foot pounds or so. How likely is this going to lead to that shifter bar falling off while cruising down the road, or is this temporary, "off label" installation secure enough until I'd install a new one? Would something like Loctite be at all useful to help keep it on? Thank you for your time.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I can not say how long this modification will last or be safe. I understand you are trying to keep the bike on the road but it is your choice and your life. You know this is not correct…..Doc

[@IIllytch321nonadinfinitum]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Fair enough; the shame I just felt reading your reply persuaded me to just wait until I can install a new one. Thanks again.

[@larrybrown441]

Trying to go to sleep but, brain is not ready. Another odd issue is the mud Dauber Wasp and transmission vent tube issue and the reason transmission oil can be pushed up to the clutch lever on long rides in hot weather because of the vent being completely blocked by the wasp nest/mud. I actually had that happen on a snowblower engine vent. They have no air filter and the engine vent hangs straight down. They will blow oil out a places you didn't know they could and go directly to the disk that drives/propels the snowblower. Just sharing. Good night Doc.

[@davidburke6139]

I know this is an old video, but I picked up my first “bagger” yesterday, 2013 ultra limited. It came with the heel/toe and I could barely fit my boots under the toe and forget about getting my heel high enough. Thanks for this video, especially the second adjustment to remove both the heel and toe shifters at once. Took me less the 5 minutes to get everything adjusted.

[@keb9196]

Can I put a heel toe shifter on my 2021 Iron 883 without have running boards

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I don’t believe so because how close the primary cover is. But I’m told with a little imagination and a welder anything is possible….Doc

[@keb9196]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson thank you ⭐️

[@Samuel10463]

Highly suggest to get extended hill lever, so it will go behind the board, just to miss the board and shifts the gear at the same moment when you foot lands flat on the board. This way you will avoid kicking the lever excessively because the board will stop your foot just in right time. It's easy to adjust this way.

[@wtf0101]

Had a friend adjust his to close to the board and he drug the board and it jammed it down a gear,it was'nt preaty,think about your adjustment height

[@Peter-976]

Another reason Harley`s are so easy to adjust or modify.

[@stevecastillo6826]

Thanks doc Harley, you know your business that's for sure. A shifting on my Chopper was horrible for a first-time bike owner. Watched your video and you are exactly right to my problems about shifting. Everything was loose, use some Loctite and tightened everything up and boy does it shift nice. Not the first video you saved the day and save me money because I fixed it myself.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for sharing and support….Doc

[@hiranhorta]

Muito obrigado!

[@Since_84]

Who the hell uses a rear shifter, Doc?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

🤔mmmmm let me see…..Doc

[@lm4tuna0461]

Hey Doc are you able to find neutral better by adjusting or replacing the shifter rod? I recently seen a blogger claim after replacing the shifter rod he found neutral easier and faster. Is there any truth to this or have you done a video regarding this issue?

[@chiva2222]

Gracias doc. Saludos desde México 🇲🇽 I'll try that on my touring always has been a pain on my foot to shift gears.... Always is been a pleasure watch your vids.

[@pmaint1]

I never got comfortable with the heel shifter. I always removed them.

[@nevillegreg1]

Very good, now we need to know about adjustability for the foot brake side.

[@jo513josie]

Do you make for dyna 2010 super glide custom

[@Jockstrap716]

Like always Doc, your help is on point and thanks to you so many of us Harley owners are happy to have your help in keeping our bike enjoyable!!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Much appreciated….Doc

[@61espo]

Great spot on Video Doc! I’m going to fine tune my 06 Deluxe this weekend! The Toe shifter is way to high...Thank you for explaining it clearly like you do in all of your video’s!

[@onesaltyzombie]

Doc I’m really enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@dang2473]

Thanks Doc! Gonna get out the wrenches and find that sweet spot this weekend...never really gave it a lot of thought, but it could be a little better, especially the heel shifter

[@dougburrell]

Thanks, just what I needed. The micro adjustment part for my 94 wide glide.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Glad it helped…..Doc

[@laurierobey432]

Thank you, always to the point, and comprehensive.

[@Peter-mcmcmc]

Hot damn, Doc! Thank you for this video. Ironically, I just bought a '23 RKS from y'all less than two weeks ago (with Capps), and Paul's been my most trusted Tech for nearly two years on my '21 Street Bob. All's running well on the RKS, but the stock shifter height was bugging me so I stumbled upon your awesome video when searching for how to adjust it. Shoutout to all the guys in the LCHD Service Dept. for always doing such topnotch work! ✌🤘

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you for your positive feedback Peter👍…..Doc

[@reese5121]

lol I almost Threw out my boot I bought because they did not fit on my new Harley.... I am laughing at my stupidity and everyone else around me that didn't even think of this.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

So you kept the boot and the Harley! You and that bike are a perfect fit now..Doc

[@Richfiekd]

Nice vid I learned a lot. Gonna adjust my shifter next chance I get...

[@robertkrawczak7414]

Doc, I always really enjoy and learn loads by watching you work on Harley cycles. You do understandable work every time. Many thanks...

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you for your kind words and support….Doc

[@1luckyleppy]

Thank you for your in-depth and easy to understand videos. Great job as always.

[@et9010]

Thanks Great information.

[@mrwilljones3015]

Thanks for the information Doc, great radio voice

[@galenburns69]

Awesome video helped out alot

[@washingtonpesantez6311]

How you adjust and old 1986 sporster the lever to shift is to close to my booth some times my boot gets stock thanks

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

There is a mounting bolt or allen that pinches the lever onto the shaft. mark the opening and shaft with marker. Remove lever and move the lever one notch up or down. put it half way on and sit on bike, put foot under and above. check fitment. if good push lever all the way on until it meets rubber sleeve. install allen/bolt and tighten.....Doc

[@briantanner9900]

Thanks for sharing , love all your tips , Tricks and do nots

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for watching…..Doc

[@kurtisroberts8485]

Got my 06 springer softail classic from low country!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Awesome Kurtis!....Doc

[@sirjhonson8218]

The flipflop is for the guys that ride sport bikes at the lake with shorts and no shirt. LOL

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I cringe at the sight of flip flops on a motorcycle....my mind plays,"what if...."....Doc

[@markeithmitchell8301]

having problem once shifter goes down gets stuck sometimes

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

On to tight? or when was the last time linkage was lubed?..Doc

[@jim73challenger]

First thing I always do is remove the useless heel shifter.

[@jimbeam4111]

James how is it useless? It allows for quicker shifts.

[@CHEVYK10]

I'm sure majority of people have a extra lever laying around

[@richardedwin5980]

Hey Doc!!! I need some help!!! Can you advise as to what tool is used to remove the shifter shaft bushing on a 2018 Road Glide? On the 16 and earlier models I was able to use Jim's tool 5518. Can't seem to locate a tool for the M8. I change the shaft and bushings every 2 years just to save me problems on the road as I log 30,000 miles + a year. Any help would be HUGELY appreciated.

[@charlie-dv7mi]

Um Doc ? Your being a bit of a Hippocratic in your video’s my friend. You seem to have forgotten to strap down your motor patrol bike on the lift table !!!!!!! Just an observation from a fan from Boston lol

[@tonydanzl]

Now cover the Brake pedal side ! Nope, no adjustment there. And the huge pedal on the CVO Limited doesn't allow you to slide your foot under (and into lowers during rain ). I replaced mine with a PM Brake lever. Perfect now. Plus i can now rest my heel on floorboard while on the highway pegs. One more "position " on long rides 😉😎

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Is there a certain way that the lever that is inboard of the shifter should be I thought they should be 90° or straight up I noticed this one is quite a bit forward. I asked because of the correct position to easily shift the transmission.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Thanks Doc . This is my first Harley , well second actually as my PAS just wasn't doing it for me , and I have had the rear gear shift removed on my 2014 FatBoy and I am using the lever for up & down changes. Its my first forward control bike and I am struggling to get use to it but I think you may have now solved my problem. Can I ask should your boot sit snuggly under the lever or should you have an half inch of play or more. All and any advice would be welcomed here in the UK.

[@williamjohnson6517]

Nice explaination Doc but I would have added the transmission lever spline bolt as well as the shifter spline bolt . Because as you know these bolts need to be TIGHT on the splines otherwise to much movement on the splines will strip the bolt/ spline out and on the ( right side) transmission lever that means having to remove the whole primary cover to get to where the lever is located behind the primary cover which is a pain in the ass just because of a loose bolt / stripped spline.. As well as expensive if you don't have warranty. Common problem on touring models.

[@perrybrown5744]

Let me get this right. Adjust the front so I can put my toe underneath to up shift , and adjust the rear so my heal can up shift again ? I have been pressing down with my toe or my heal for 25 years which works well for me.

[@mintech1000]

Great video! The “flip flop” example is funny but great example! “We should not see this!!!”

[@daymaker5460]

When I bought my new Street glide I asked to have the heel shifter adjusted lower, I am met with "what?" "why"? I show the "tech" what I want, "I have never seen it changed like that before" Victoria BC Canada strange dealership indeed.

[@DazedNConfuzed58]

Doc, I adjusted my heel shift with my forefinger and middle finger for spacing...Perfect!

[@williamaltman5796]

Thanks for the presentation, I just bought one with a heel-toe shifter and need to adjust....this is perfect! PA boy here but from Walterboro so also nice to see one of my own!!!!

[@gghostrrider]

I can’t see how the replacement shift linkage is adjusted. It looks like the two connection points are fixed at either end so where is the adjustment?

[@jguilletjr]

Wow, I can't believe you had to do a video on that.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Why not? There are those who want to learn….Doc

[@richardedwin5980]

Doc I should've clarified...I'm referring to the shifter shaft for the heel/toe shifter.

[@sixtyninetele]

The very first adjustment I made to my bike on day 1 was the shifter position.

[@edwardjohnson5331]

Just bought a 2021 Heritage and had the heel toe shifter put on ,always wanted one . Thanks for the vid .

[@jeffreyengle2762]

Excellent information I have been really needing to adjust and fine-tune the shifters and now I can thank you very much!!!!!

[@jacquesyoung7010]

great tip but seeing how the 20s don't come with the heel shifter any longer can you address installing one on a new 20

[@maddawg4599]

Who puts they’re toe under the best invention ever, a heel toe shifter. Blasphemy

[@Jspackman]

A dirt bike rider. Someone who doesn’t want to jam down with their heel and who would rather feel the shift.

[@maddawg4599]

@@Jspackman I own AND race dirt bikes. I still use my heel shifter as intended. Best thing ever on a touring bike.

[@josea5949]

Nice police motor in the background. Is that a 2020?