i had a major oh **** moment today..

as some of you might remember i got a 09 xbones in febuary. this is the first bike i have had with floorboards, let alone a heel toe shifter..

WARNING - do not wear carpenter jeans on this bike..

the weather here is just starting to warm up some.. i finally have 200 miles on it.. admittedly i am still getting used to it..

so today, i pull up to a stop light and try to put my foot down, and immediately i notice that my pant leg had blown around and got caught on the heel shifter.. i yanked my leg up and it did free and i was able to get my foot down, JUST in time.. it happened again a later in the ride.. but this time i was prepared enough to handle it better.. that heel shifter is a nuisance, i cannot be the first to expereince this.. i was an instant from dropping the bike..

that thing is coming off..

 

I had that happen with even non carpenter pants. That is one crappy feeling!

 

heel shifters are retarded.

 

For that exact reason I removed my heel shifter !

 

I hear ya. I have pretty big feet and kept hitting the heel shifter when I was taking off from a stop and picking my feet up onto the floorboards. Every now and then I would knock it out of gear. Also, the toe shifter was not far enough forward to be comfortable. So, I removed the heel shifter altogether, and installed a shift lever for a softail standard which is slightly longer and curved. Works much better and more comfortable.

Another FYI - I was looking for more leg room and purchased the floorboard extensions. They move the floorboards out an inch or so. First stop I came to I went to put my feet down and muscle-memory didn't move my foot over that extra inch. My boot sole got caught on the edge of the floorboard and I probably felt that same feeling you did. I was able to get my foot down in time but felt pretty silly for a few minutes. Anyone installing the extensions needs to be aware of this until they get used to the new floorboard position.

 

mine is boxed with bolts and other crap

 

Remove heel shifter and replace with chrome end cap. Your deal will have em.

 

Had that happen to me too. Does anyone know if u can get a shorter toes shifter then i could remove the heel shifter? thanks

 

i am glad at least that i am not the only one that thinks it is a hazard..

 

I don't think they come any shorter,but harley does sell a folding version,here is the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harle...spagenameZWDVW