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Re: Toe / Heel Shifter for my R1150R ??
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:59 am
by snowprick
Please advise your physical location. This will help to find a friendly neighbour / home tinkerer.
Re: Toe / Heel Shifter for my R1150R ??
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:17 am
by towerworker
Look up one of the members here......Johnnyjs1-----Lives in Ohio and does some machine work as I recall. Some time back he was asking guys for suggestions on stuff he could make and market for our R's.
Wayne
Re: Toe / Heel Shifter for my R1150R ??
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:41 am
by boxermania
stauffrt
Anything is possible for someone that has the drive........I don't know if there is the physical room for a heel and toe contraption as that would be easiest solution.
Another solution, albeit cleaner but more complicated could be an air shifter, it does require a small air pump and power, the latter not a problem due to the automotive size alternator on the bike.
Pie in the sky would be to have a BMW pseudo scooter (engine in frame like the Suzuki Burgman 650) with a CVT transmission, around 400 pounds and with the twin 800 cc motor.......WOW
Best of luck..............
Re: Toe / Heel Shifter for my R1150R ??
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:02 am
by snowprick
stauffrt,
Just had a look at my bike and I believe there is sufficient room for a heel shift although it would not be Harley Davidson proportion. I am sure if you had a friend with access to workshop facilities they could fabricate for you but it would have to be someone near you as they would need access to your bike and your left foot. Come guys help needed.
Re: Toe / Heel Shifter for my R1150R ??
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:53 pm
by johnnyjs1
If you have an extra shifter laying around, I'd be happy to give it a go and see if I can come up with something for you
. The easiest way would be to get a spare shifter and possibly bend and weld an appendage to the back side. Fabbing something out of scratch would be pretty difficult as the splines on the shift lever would be a pain to duplicate. The first tinkereing experiment would probably be pretty ugly until I figure out the best placement and design, which is why I ask if you could get a spare lever. wouldnt want to ruin yours( or mine
)
Johnny
Re: Toe / Heel Shifter for my R1150R ??
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:55 pm
by Aitch
Perhaps I'm not understanding the mechanics here, being unfamiliar with Harvey Furgeson toe-heal shifters.
Is it the toe up motion that's causing you the problem? Toe down, heel down motions OK?
I'll have to study my bike this evening and think about it.
Cheers.
Re: Toe / Heel Shifter for my R1150R ??
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:49 pm
by ruddy
I can't help with a heel-toe shifter, but I can suggest an alternative. I remember a guy I worked with several years ago who had a damaged Achilles tendon and had to wear an orthotic that prevented the movement required to upshift his new Suzuki. His solution was to shorten the shift lever so he could hook it just above his heel and pull it up that way. It certainly worked well for him.
Re: Toe / Heel Shifter for my R1150R ??
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:54 am
by Ves
stauffrt wrote:Dear Forum Folks
I have a long term disc / lower back issue that is getting worse -- so that my left foot is losing strength in the muscles that let a rider upshift. ...
Maybe you should go see an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spines? If you just let it go you're muscles will NOT be ok. They will degenerate (shrink away) to the point where they are totally useless and you wont even be able to work a shifter at all, and your foot will drag when you walk. Muscles have to have stimulation to be healthy, and they can't get stimulation if the nerve is pinched, which is what you have. There are ways to fix that.