2017 Chieftain Shifting Problem
Question
OK, I have a 2017 Chieftain with 2700 miles on it. Yesterday I was riding home and it failed to shift from third to fourth (I have a heel shifter). The shift lever was flat on the foot pad and I could neither heel shift or toe shift. Fortunately I was less than a lie from home so I was able to get it to my Garage. When I got home I was able to shift up to fourth gear while sitting still, but when I tried to go to fifth, the shifter was on the foot pad again and the gear shift indicator showed a “- -“ symbol. I could downshift to fourth, third etc… but I am afraid to ride it as I am concerned that there is a bigger problem with the transmission. Any suggestions? I am probably going to take it in on Tuesday when the dealer opens.
Answers ( 28 )
Adjust the heal a little higher.
Agree, check the simple stuff before going to the worst cast scenario.
It shouldn’t hit the floor board.
Yeah. Start with kicking it a little harder. If that doesn’t work, adjust it.
If your sitting still with the motor running and you are trying to shift gears you need to work the clutch lever as well so the gears move in the transmission. You’ll probably get a code about the gear shift sensor that’s from shifting while standing still. You should be able to clear that code under engine diagnostics and if your getting and engine light that should clear after a few engine starts. If your still having problems with the shifter not returning to it’s normal position get it to the dealer.
I’d do that. Only issue I have as far as that goes is with the clutch pulled all the way back, it still doesn’t 100% disengage. When it warms up, it’s fine. But until then, I still have a little forward pull in first.
Adjust the cable
Need less free play!
If your bike is creeping forward with the clutch lever pulled back you need more free play.
I assume I’d just need a wrench or two to do That? Haven’t actually looked at it but that’s how every other bike in the world works.
Sounds like good adjustment to me.
Sweet
You’ll need two wrenches of different size. It won’t be a big adjustment just a little to get more free play.
Bout a 10 and an 8 maybe?
I would suggest pulling the rubber boot up and not down. I had a older HD and the top end of the boot stretched out over time and allowed water to get in and rusted the adjuster – had a hard time with that.
Call Indian roadside and have it towed to the shop.
Take the junk heel shifter off & shift like any normal shifter. Heel/ toe shifters are junk on every bike they are on!
Really all my bikes had them when I bought them and never an issue had heel toe on Honda Yamaha Harley and now Indian.
Chris Foth I agree
The heel shifter has been around for 40+ years. Nothing wrong with it at all.
They weren’t around when I started riding,never have liked them.
You have to be Careful with heal shifters, because they are longer there is more leverage and you can strip things out.
Check your shift rod underneath the left floor board….mine bent on my 2017 Indian Roadmaster when I was on a trip from Knoxville Tennessee to Denver Colorado.
Take heel shifter off. Expose more of that beautiful 111.
Heel shifters are for Harley’s. Toe shift and stop stomping gears.
Check the shifter rod under the bike to see if it is bent. It is too thin and will bend if you shift too hard….
I just bent my shift rod two weeks ago too. It’s quite pliable, which makes it easy to bend when stomping on the heel shifter. Look under your left floorboard. Thankfully, it’s very easy to replace.
I used to know guy who had an Indian with the same name as you. Did you steal my friend’s identity? Did you eat him, as part of some aborigine ritual? And by consuming his flesh, did you consume his soul? Because if so, that’s pretty badass. But I still want to know what you did with my friend. He was a really good guy.