Toe Shifter for Californias

[AJ Huff]

Is there a toe only shift available for the Californias? I've never really liked the heel-toe shifter on my Cal Spec. With the heel of my boot locked on to the foot peg I find lifting it and moving back to heel shift too cumbersome.

Thanks,

-AJ

[Loop Tonti EV]

I wear size 14 boots. Needles to say, I cut the heel part of the shifter off a long time ago.

[Ncdan]

I don’t particularly use the heel/toe shifter all the time myself. What worked for me was by using the linkage adjusters raise the toe part high enough so my booted toe slips easily under it as well as it lowers the heel part low enough that it really does not interfere with my foot position.

[LowRyter]

I don't see how anyone can upshift a Cal with floor boards unless they use the heel shift.  Hardly anyway to get your toe under the toe shifter and have any leverage to upshift. 

I typically use my toe to upshift by kicking the heel lever. 

[wymple]

Toe & heel forever!

[AJ Huff]

I don't see how anyone can upshift a Cal with floor boards unless they use the heel shift.  Hardly anyway to get your toe under the toe shifter and have any leverage to upshift. 

I typically use my toe to upshift by kicking the heel lever.

Makes sense, but I don't have floor boards.

-AJ

[LowRyter]

Makes sense, but I don't have floor boards.

-AJ

hack saw

[AJ Huff]

Appreciate the replies. I guess I was hoping for a more elegant solution, something aftermarket or off another Guzzi model, or maybe that it was a past part available from a dealer.

Thanks

-AJ

[Texas Turnip]

The debate of the heel/toe shifter has been going on for 40 plus years. I wear a size 15 cow pasture pump (cowboy boots) and don't want to mess up the toe on a $500 boot.

It is your ride and cut off the heel shifter as some riders have been doing for 40 years that I know off.

I like the heel shifter, but that doesn't mean it is the best thing,
Tex

[Stretch]

I can't abide the heel-toe shifter on my Rocket iii, but I like the setup on the California Touring.

Upshifting with the toe is a little bit awkward because of the angle of the shifter in relationship
to the floorboard.

Easy to change, though  - the rear portion just unbolts if you don't like the heel portion of the program.

                                                                         -Stretch

[AJ Huff]

Seems like most of you have floor boards? How's that work, the heel shifter is behind the back edge of the floor board and you just slide your foot back and rock your heel down on the edge of the board?

Seems like a dumb set up for foot pegs.

I'll try maximizing the height of the toe part as has been suggested.

Thanks,

-AJ

[moto-uno]

My 2018 Eldorado has a heel toe shifter , but the heel section is simply screwed on . Mine is unscrewed and that's the way I like it . Peter
So I'd suggest ordering one for an Eldorado , you may even be able to order it without the screw on heel section .

[LowRyter]

The pedals are little more forward on the 1400 models.  I never got comfortable with it. 

[Tom H]

AJ,

I have just looked at a picture of what I think is your shifter/peg in another thread. FYI: My Guzzies have floorboards and heel/toe shifters. Love 'em!

Why can't you just use the toe end? Is it too low or high or too long to reach comfortably? Is the heel end in your way?

If it's too low, you could adjust the linkage rod to bring it up. If not enough adjustment, make a shorter rod. If the heel is in the way, cut it off and paint the end to protect the metal.

I do not know if there is another shifter with toe only available. You could go to Benders or Harpers site and look through the parts books and see if there is something from another year/model that might work. But it new or used and see if it will work.

Good luck,
Tom

[s1120]

AJ,

I have just looked at a picture of what I think is your shifter/peg in another thread. FYI: My Guzzies have floorboards and heel/toe shifters. Love 'em!

Why can't you just use the toe end? Is it too low or high or too long to reach comfortably? Is the heel end in your way?

If it's too low, you could adjust the linkage rod to bring it up. If not enough adjustment, make a shorter rod. If the heel is in the way, cut it off and paint the end to protect the metal.

I do not know if there is another shifter with toe only available. You could go to Benders or Harpers site and look through the parts books and see if there is something from another year/model that might work. But it new or used and see if it will work.

Good luck,
Tom

I have the same issue with my 02 cali stone. If I get the toe part adjusted how I like it, the heel part hits the back of my shoe. Maybe its a peg vs. board bike thats the issue. I havent cut mine yet, but I really need to.

[nbags]

i have same bike had to cut rod down a little to be able to up shift (get under shifter) I kind of like it better that way

[AJ Huff]

I have the same issue with my 02 cali stone. If I get the toe part adjusted how I like it, the heel part hits the back of my shoe. Maybe its a peg vs. board bike thats the issue. I havent cut mine yet, but I really need to.

That sums it up pretty well. I've always just used my toe. But the heel is really an annoyance than anything. I don't want to cut mine, but maybe a used one. I don't want to do anything irreversible. Like I said, had hoped there was a familiar, more elegant solution. I did learn that a California with foot pegs seems to be unfamiliar to most of you. I guess that separated the Special and Special Sport from the other Californias.

Right now I have it adjusted to easily toe down to down shift. To get my toe under I have to kind of swing my toe around and under. I think if I raise the toe higher then getting under would be easy but I'd have to do some foot gymnastics to down shift. All compromise I guess. Do I want it to be easier to down shift or up shift? But my heel fits between the foot peg and the back of the shifter and that's a PITA. Overall it just seems like a poor design, even poor shape.

[Tom H]

Fleabay, or the classified section here for a used one. Cut it to make you happy! I think you need one for foot pegs, not sure if a floorboard version is the same.

With floorboards. The clearance is usually too small to get your toe under. You always lift your foot off the board to shift up or down, you don't pivot your foot like my BMW or HD. I've never given this any thought, but I think the pivot of the shifter is farther forward making the heel end natural to hit it.

Tom