Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 1500 only => Topic started by: Wolf74 on October 03, 2015, 20:39:26 PM

Title: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: Wolf74 on October 03, 2015, 20:39:26 PM
I just realized that my 99 1500 Drifter is missing the heel shifter. Does anyone know where I can find a replacement or if a different one would fit? Thanks
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: 49Reo on October 03, 2015, 23:05:58 PM
Any Classic, or Nomad heel shifter should fit; try eBay.
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: DC on October 03, 2015, 23:17:00 PM
After having a heel shifter on my Drifter, it would feel like a step backward going back to my old bike (or any other) without a heel shifter.  To me, it's much more efficient, or at least easier to shift.  You'll love it, once you get one on there.
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: Old Drifter on October 04, 2015, 07:46:40 AM
Quote from: DC on October 03, 2015, 23:17:00 PM
After having a heel shifter on my Drifter, it would feel like a step backward going back to my old bike (or any other) without a heel shifter.  To me, it's much more efficient, or at least easier to shift.  You'll love it, once you get one on there.

X2.... When I got mine the PO had removed it.  Lucky for me he saved it and gave it to me when I asked what happend to it. 

Wolf74....Check your PM's
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: mittico68 on October 04, 2015, 09:54:09 AM
Quote from: DC on October 03, 2015, 23:17:00 PM
After having a heel shifter on my Drifter, it would feel like a step backward going back to my old bike (or any other) without a heel shifter.  To me, it's much more efficient, or at least easier to shift.  You'll love it, once you get one on there.
And, all in all, it allows to keep your shoe's tip nice and clean! 8)
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: Wolf74 on October 04, 2015, 19:50:29 PM
Thanks fellas, picked up a set off eBay just now. Looks like an easy install. I've never used a heel shifter so it'll be interesting to get used to. Just seems like a bike above the 1200cc class SHOULD have one.
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: Troll on October 04, 2015, 20:08:09 PM
Quote from: Wolf74 on October 04, 2015, 19:50:29 PM
Thanks fellas, picked up a set off eBay just now. Looks like an easy install. I've never used a heel shifter so it'll be interesting to get used to. Just seems like a bike above the 1200cc class SHOULD have one.
OK, so now you can have a chance to experiment with placement. the witness mark on the shifter puts it level with the rear of the board, so you have to step back and push below the board with your heel. I have mine set up like on a Harley, with the rear up so when its pressed down to upshift, it THEN is even with the back of the board. I found that with it in the factory position, it was easy to miss shifts unless you were quite positive with them...maybe a cowboy heel would have helped, but I wear engineer boots!
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: Old Drifter on October 04, 2015, 20:38:56 PM
Quote from: Troll on October 04, 2015, 20:08:09 PM
  I have mine set up like on a Harley, with the rear up so when its pressed down to upshift, it THEN is even with the back of the board. I found that with it in the factory position, it was easy to miss shifts unless you were quite positive with them...maybe a cowboy heel would have helped, but I wear engineer boots!

That's exactly how I have mine (higher than foot board) set up. My toe stays on the board as I raise my heel, then come down on the lever to up shift. Works great.  8)
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: 49Reo on October 04, 2015, 23:36:05 PM
Funny, I never use the heel shifter when upshifting, except on the rare occasion; never have on any of my bikes. I almost always use it putting the bike in to first when taking off; I hook it with the side of my heel to put the bike in first. An old habit I have had as long as I ride.
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: CDNRatMan on October 05, 2015, 00:05:36 AM
   I have mine set for my limited movement of my left ankle. Now of course my B-I-L who has a Glide say's it is not the correct set up....and then when I ride his bike I have to lift my foot to use either the toe or heel shifter.......now funny on my bike I never lift my foot just the toe or heel, and yes it was the first bike I had with this set up and it took a bit to get used to it. I still mess up the odd time and miss the odd which way do I shift...but never been bad....
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: Troll on October 05, 2015, 08:35:39 AM
That's probably why they have a pretty fine spline on them...allows for a range of adjustment to suit everybody.
Title: Re: Replacement heel shifter
Post by: kw-retrorider on November 11, 2015, 18:35:36 PM
always use the heel shifter....it's part of riding a drifter....for me anyway...never had a bike with a heel shifter, so always use it now that I have one.