No shifting possible

karospirit · 01-20-2009, 03:47 PM

I have a 2003 1500 Nomad that leaked oil. The guy I brought it to to fix the oil leak has had to lift the engine and drop it to get to the oil leaks. Oil leaks are fixed. He did an excellent job, and he is an honest guy.
Anyway, I picked up the bike (overjoyed) and rode it onto the street just to find out that my foot couldn't find the heel shift pedal. It was too low. I tried shifting into second gear with the front pedal but it only shifted into neutral, no further. Brought bike right back to the mechanic. He said, the only thing he did was take the gear shift pedals off, not more. He thought that when he rolled the engine back in the fork shifter (shaft shift) might have been bent. Today he told me that he took the engine completely out etc and looked at the shaft shift and it is straight. He has no explanation of what could have happened or what is wrong with the shifting mechanism. There is a distinct clunk noise when you try to shift though. Now he tells me that it is unrelated to his repair because he never touched the transmission. I can only say that I have not had any problems shifting (except for that it was a little bumpy sometimes but nothing major). I am afraid that he is gonna charge me for the repair.
Do you guys have any idea on what the problem with the shifting could be?

Todd · 01-20-2009, 03:57 PM

I am guessing that your heel shifter was just put on at the wrong position which will not allow enough travel downward (or upward on the toe shifter). I would try to pull the heel shifter off and rotate it up, then re-install to allow more clearance. Hope that is all that is wrong.

cactusjack · 01-20-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd (Nomadis Custodis)

I am guessing that your heel shifter was just put on at the wrong position which will not allow enough travel downward (or upward on the toe shifter). I would try to pull the heel shifter off and rotate it up, then re-install to allow more clearance. Hope that is all that is wrong.

I agree. Both the toe and heel shifters pivot on the same shaft. If one or the other is too low, it will limit the shifter shaft travel and would prevent you from being able to shift.

I had the opposite problem recently. I took my bike in for the 15,000 mile service and when I got on it to ride it home, the shifters were at 10:00 and 2:00, I almost got my boot stuck between them.

karospirit · 01-20-2009, 04:20 PM

I actually suggested the same thing but he said he tried repositioning the toe/heel shifter and it didn't change anything. What else could it be?

cactusjack · 01-20-2009, 04:38 PM

You've got me with this one, Cougar. I don't know much about motorcycle transmissions.

Todd · 01-20-2009, 04:38 PM

From your initial story where you say you could not "find" the heel shifter.....which is sort of stored in your muscle memory after riding the bike a while...I am still betting that is your problem.......Granted I have not seen or diagnosed this in person..but my bet is still on the shifter position.

Would you feel comfortable taking the heel shifter off yourself??

blowndodge · 01-20-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd (Nomadis Custodis)

I am guessing that your heel shifter was just put on at the wrong position which will not allow enough travel downward (or upward on the toe shifter). I would try to pull the heel shifter off and rotate it up, then re-install to allow more clearance. Hope that is all that is wrong.

I agree. Both the toe and heel shifters pivot on the same shaft. If one or the other is too low, it will limit the shifter shaft travel and would prevent you from being able to shift.

I had the opposite problem recently. I took my bike in for the 15,000 mile service and when I got on it to ride it home, the shifters were at 10:00 and 2:00, I almost got my boot stuck between them.

With thoses itty bitty feet of yours??? ::)

cactusjack · 01-20-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I agree. Both the toe and heel shifters pivot on the same shaft. If one or the other is too low, it will limit the shifter shaft travel and would prevent you from being able to shift.

I had the opposite problem recently. I took my bike in for the 15,000 mile service and when I got on it to ride it home, the shifters were at 10:00 and 2:00, I almost got my boot stuck between them.

With thoses itty bitty feet of yours??? ::)

Yes, my dainty size "baker's dozen" boots.

Todd · 01-20-2009, 05:45 PM

I am sure BD can appreciate a man like you CJ........one with feet of such stature

karospirit · 01-20-2009, 07:01 PM

What itty bitty feet are we talking about? Probably yours "All known mighty blowndodge". LOL I have shoe size 11

karospirit · 01-20-2009, 07:03 PM

Well, there is this clunk in the area right behind the flywheel. It sounds like it's hitting something. However, the mech said there is nothing wrong behind the cover.

**jmorrow** · 01-20-2009, 07:11 PM

If the heel shifter is in to low of a position it will hit the floorboard support and would not allow it to shift into second. I know you said the bike repairman said he adjusted it and it made no difference, but I would have a (look see) and be sure the pad part of the heel shifter is even with or slightly above the floorboard.

blowndodge · 01-20-2009, 10:59 PM

CJ can wear Cinderella's slipper!!! Pansy!!

karospirit · 01-21-2009, 12:58 AM

What if it is not the position of the heel/toe shifter?

Todd · 01-21-2009, 10:25 AM

First rule of mechanics ..............rule out the easiest and simpliest things first. Then worry about the next.

01-20-2009, 03:47 PM	#1
karospirit Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 82	No shifting possible I have a 2003 1500 Nomad that leaked oil. The guy I brought it to to fix the oil leak has had to lift the engine and drop it to get to the oil leaks. Oil leaks are fixed. He did an excellent job, and he is an honest guy. Anyway, I picked up the bike (overjoyed) and rode it onto the street just to find out that my foot couldn't find the heel shift pedal. It was too low. I tried shifting into second gear with the front pedal but it only shifted into neutral, no further. Brought bike right back to the mechanic. He said, the only thing he did was take the gear shift pedals off, not more. He thought that when he rolled the engine back in the fork shifter (shaft shift) might have been bent. Today he told me that he took the engine completely out etc and looked at the shaft shift and it is straight. He has no explanation of what could have happened or what is wrong with the shifting mechanism. There is a distinct clunk noise when you try to shift though. Now he tells me that it is unrelated to his repair because he never touched the transmission. I can only say that I have not had any problems shifting (except for that it was a little bumpy sometimes but nothing major). I am afraid that he is gonna charge me for the repair. Do you guys have any idea on what the problem with the shifting could be? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-20-2009, 03:57 PM	#2
Todd Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,915	No shifting possible I am guessing that your heel shifter was just put on at the wrong position which will not allow enough travel downward (or upward on the toe shifter). I would try to pull the heel shifter off and rotate it up, then re-install to allow more clearance. Hope that is all that is wrong. __________________ Todd Frazier VBA #0003 VBA National Leader-USA Operations/Garage Moderator - RETIRED 2006 Black Nomad since she was born Greensboro, NC
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01-20-2009, 04:20 PM	#4
karospirit Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 82	No shifting possible I actually suggested the same thing but he said he tried repositioning the toe/heel shifter and it didn't change anything. What else could it be?
	0

01-20-2009, 04:38 PM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	No shifting possible You've got me with this one, Cougar. I don't know much about motorcycle transmissions. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-20-2009, 04:38 PM	#6
Todd Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,915	No shifting possible From your initial story where you say you could not "find" the heel shifter.....which is sort of stored in your muscle memory after riding the bike a while...I am still betting that is your problem.......Granted I have not seen or diagnosed this in person..but my bet is still on the shifter position. Would you feel comfortable taking the heel shifter off yourself?? __________________ Todd Frazier VBA #0003 VBA National Leader-USA Operations/Garage Moderator - RETIRED 2006 Black Nomad since she was born Greensboro, NC
	0

01-20-2009, 05:45 PM	#9
Todd Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,915	No shifting possible I am sure BD can appreciate a man like you CJ........one with feet of such stature __________________ Todd Frazier VBA #0003 VBA National Leader-USA Operations/Garage Moderator - RETIRED 2006 Black Nomad since she was born Greensboro, NC
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01-20-2009, 07:01 PM	#10
karospirit Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 82	No shifting possible What itty bitty feet are we talking about? Probably yours "All known mighty blowndodge". LOL I have shoe size 11
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01-20-2009, 07:03 PM	#11
karospirit Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 82	No shifting possible Well, there is this clunk in the area right behind the flywheel. It sounds like it's hitting something. However, the mech said there is nothing wrong behind the cover.
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01-20-2009, 07:11 PM	#12
jmorrow Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Beech Grove, Arkansas Posts: 1,884	No shifting possible If the heel shifter is in to low of a position it will hit the floorboard support and would not allow it to shift into second. I know you said the bike repairman said he adjusted it and it made no difference, but I would have a (look see) and be sure the pad part of the heel shifter is even with or slightly above the floorboard. __________________ Jim (Dooley) Morrow Stanford, Arkansas 2004 Kawasaki Nomad 1500 VBA #146
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01-20-2009, 10:59 PM	#13
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	No shifting possible CJ can wear Cinderella's slipper!!! Pansy!! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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01-21-2009, 12:58 AM	#14
karospirit Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 82	No shifting possible What if it is not the position of the heel/toe shifter?
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01-21-2009, 10:25 AM	#15
Todd Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,915	No shifting possible First rule of mechanics ..............rule out the easiest and simpliest things first. Then worry about the next. __________________ Todd Frazier VBA #0003 VBA National Leader-USA Operations/Garage Moderator - RETIRED 2006 Black Nomad since she was born Greensboro, NC
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