Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2022 8:48 pm
- Location: DeLand,Florida USA
- Motorcycle: 1988 Honda Goldwing GL1500
Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
Any help or ideas would be appreciated. I have a1988 Goldwing GL1500 and I want to put a heel toe shifter on it, any suggestions as to where I can locate one.
- rider1939
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 4:20 pm
- Location: MARION,MA,
- Motorcycle: 2000 1500SE
1995 GL1500SE - parts bike
1979 GL1000 - NAKED
1994 HONDA VFR
1974 DUCATI GT 750
1978 DUCATI GTS900
1978 DUCATI DARMAH
DUDA = DUCATI 500 FRAME WITH HONDA CB500 MOTOR
MT3 = MOTO GUZZI POWERED 3 WHEELER
Re: Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
One idea = DON'T do it.
-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2022 8:48 pm
- Location: DeLand,Florida USA
- Motorcycle: 1988 Honda Goldwing GL1500
Re: Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
I have severe loss of mobility in my left ankle due to injury, was hoping to get a useful answer, so I could continue to ride.
- DragonRdr
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2022 3:41 pm
- Location: Gardner, Massachusetts
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500I Interstate
2000 GL1500CF Valkyrie Interstate
Re: Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
I was looking at the one on Cyclemax before someone on the forum advised me not to because of excess wear on the shifter shaft and seal. Here's the link:
https://cyclemax.com/products/gl1500-lo ... rboard-kit
https://cyclemax.com/products/gl1500-lo ... rboard-kit
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 23874
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
They are the primary cause of transmission failure in GL1500's, but if you require it for mobility reasons, I would recommend sourcing a Markland shifter - I don't believe anyone still makes them for GL1500's, so you're going to need to find a good condition used one.
Oh, I am mistaken - someone is making knockoffs of them, and you can buy them new on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/185712991124
Oh, I am mistaken - someone is making knockoffs of them, and you can buy them new on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/185712991124
- rider1939
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 4:20 pm
- Location: MARION,MA,
- Motorcycle: 2000 1500SE
1995 GL1500SE - parts bike
1979 GL1000 - NAKED
1994 HONDA VFR
1974 DUCATI GT 750
1978 DUCATI GTS900
1978 DUCATI DARMAH
DUDA = DUCATI 500 FRAME WITH HONDA CB500 MOTOR
MT3 = MOTO GUZZI POWERED 3 WHEELER
Re: Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
I apologize for my "Don't do it".
In your case, it sounds like the solid way to go.
I think you'll find that all available systems will work. As to what's best, I have no idea, maybe someone will come forward with an idea. BUT, if you do, be sure to install: an Auxiliary Shifter Pivot:
Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!
Maybe your bike already has one.
If you don't install an Auxiliary Shifter Pivot you'll soon wish you had. If you don't go with the heel/toe system, you should still install a shifter pivot.
Also be aware that one tends to leave pressure on the "heel" = This will eventually cause an issue with the transmission = don't leave your heel on the lever.
In your case, it sounds like the solid way to go.
I think you'll find that all available systems will work. As to what's best, I have no idea, maybe someone will come forward with an idea. BUT, if you do, be sure to install: an Auxiliary Shifter Pivot:
Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!
Maybe your bike already has one.
If you don't install an Auxiliary Shifter Pivot you'll soon wish you had. If you don't go with the heel/toe system, you should still install a shifter pivot.
Also be aware that one tends to leave pressure on the "heel" = This will eventually cause an issue with the transmission = don't leave your heel on the lever.
-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2022 8:48 pm
- Location: DeLand,Florida USA
- Motorcycle: 1988 Honda Goldwing GL1500
Re: Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
Thanks for recommendations, I just want to keep riding.
- DragonRdr
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2022 3:41 pm
- Location: Gardner, Massachusetts
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500I Interstate
2000 GL1500CF Valkyrie Interstate
Re: Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
That's the same one I posted from CycleMax and it's cheaper than Ebay. I also have the Auxiliary Shifter Pivot. It's worth it to install it. Not sure if you can do both?WingAdmin wrote: ↑Wed Aug 30, 2023 3:28 pm They are the primary cause of transmission failure in GL1500's, but if you require it for mobility reasons, I would recommend sourcing a Markland shifter - I don't believe anyone still makes them for GL1500's, so you're going to need to find a good condition used one.
Oh, I am mistaken - someone is making knockoffs of them, and you can buy them new on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/185712991124
- blupupher
- Posts: 787
- Joined: Sun May 17, 2020 5:47 pm
- Location: Katy, Republic of Texas
- Motorcycle: 2013 BMW K1600GT
Re: Heel Toe Shifter for 1988 GL1500
Hope it works out, and agree that you need the shift shaft pivot regardless of if you get it or not.
I found the floorboard/heel toe shifter setup on the 1500 to be nothing but awkward. Always felt I was dancing my feet around shifting and braking, and I know many have issues with having to put your feet further out when stopped due to the floor boards. I had major hip pain and cramps (especially in my left hip) when I had the heel toe shifter on the bike.
Best thing I did to my 1500 was swapping back to OEM setup.
I also had the 4th gear shift fork failure, which I can not say for a surety was due to the heel toe shifter (bike had 70,000 miles by previous owners with them on), but I found I would unintentionally be riding around in 5th gear and my heel was resting on the shifter putting pressure on the shift mechanism.
I found the floorboard/heel toe shifter setup on the 1500 to be nothing but awkward. Always felt I was dancing my feet around shifting and braking, and I know many have issues with having to put your feet further out when stopped due to the floor boards. I had major hip pain and cramps (especially in my left hip) when I had the heel toe shifter on the bike.
Best thing I did to my 1500 was swapping back to OEM setup.
I also had the 4th gear shift fork failure, which I can not say for a surety was due to the heel toe shifter (bike had 70,000 miles by previous owners with them on), but I found I would unintentionally be riding around in 5th gear and my heel was resting on the shifter putting pressure on the shift mechanism.
Current ride: 2013 BMW K1600GT
Former rides: 2002 GL1800A, 2001 CB750, 1994 GL1500 SE, 1994 VT1100C , 1984 VF500F, 1982 CB750C, 1982 GS250T, 1981 CB900C, 1978 CB125s, 1976 TS185
Former rides: 2002 GL1800A, 2001 CB750, 1994 GL1500 SE, 1994 VT1100C , 1984 VF500F, 1982 CB750C, 1982 GS250T, 1981 CB900C, 1978 CB125s, 1976 TS185