Alt Bergs and changing gear

[John Roberts]

Yesss! Got the Alt Bergs this morning ready for the Wee-Kend, and then found that I couldn't change gear on the Airhead because the toecap is so big that I couldn't get my toe under the gearlever. The boots, Hoggs, are of quite chunky proportions, but then again, so are lots of biker boots. So far all I've done is to drop the left hand footpeg a centimetre or so, and that has made a difference because it raises end of the lever a bit but not a lot. Any suggestions?

 

[Toad]

Yesss! Got the Alt Bergs this morning ready for the Wee-Kend, and then found that I couldn't change gear on the Airhead because the toecap is so big that I couldn't get my toe under the gearlever. The boots, Hoggs, are of quite chunky proportions, but then again, so are lots of biker boots. So far all I've done is to drop the left hand footpeg a centimetre or so, and that has made a difference because it raises end of the lever a bit but not a lot. Any suggestions?

Had the same problem with enduro boots for years.

I just learnt to change gear using the edge of the sole.

 

[Roger Chatterton]

I have Hoggs too, and I know what you mean- can you not adjust the gear change leverage to raise or lower the (shorten or lengthen) the linkage ?
Also, the Hoggs need a bit of running-in ( well walking-in) too. Great comfy boots though, I use them for dog walking too -all through the snowy winter I had cosy warm dry feet.

 

[John Roberts]

I have Hoggs too, and I know what you mean- can you not adjust the gear change leverage to raise or lower the (shorten or lengthen) the linkage ?
Also, the Hoggs need a bit of running-in ( well walking-in) too. Great comfy boots though, I use them for dog walking too -all through the snowy winter I had cosy warm dry feet.

No, the link on mine is the type with a short lenthy of rod with a 90degree bend at each end and non-adjustable. Getting your type (with a ball joint each end?) could well be a solution.

Good to hear about the Hoggs, and reassuring to know that they will get more flexible. I had thought of putting them in a cement mixer with a few bricks to soften them up before the Wee-Kend. Actually, these are the first boots I've had in 35 years of biking so I don't really know what to expect, but having said that I do know that by all accounts they really are good.

 

[Montydog]

Best boots ive had and i normally use Daytona which have a fantastic rep but i wouldnt swop my Altbergs for anything....enjoy

 

[toadjam]

hoggs

best boots in the world , had mine about 14 years and never had wet feet

 

[alistairl]

Yesss! Got the Alt Bergs this morning ready for the Wee-Kend, and then found that I couldn't change gear on the Airhead because the toecap is so big that I couldn't get my toe under the gearlever. The boots, Hoggs, are of quite chunky proportions, but then again, so are lots of biker boots. So far all I've done is to drop the left hand footpeg a centimetre or so, and that has made a difference because it raises end of the lever a bit but not a lot. Any suggestions?

I had that when I bought Altbergs part way through learning for the second part of my test. Just couldn't wear them on the Honda CG125 because I couldn't change gear.

Ah, the days before Direct Access

 

[Schtum]

No, the link on mine is the type with a short lenthy of rod with a 90degree bend at each end and non-adjustable. Getting your type (with a ball joint each end?) could well be a solution.

Is that an early Kinematic linkage...? Bear with me, I'm going back 30 years here. Is the end that connects to the shaft into the gearbox not splined? If it is, you can surely just rotate it one spline clockwise on the shaft and that'll raise the gearchange lever enough to get your boot underneath it.

 

[Schtum]

I had that when I bought Altbergs part way through learning for the second part of my test. Just couldn't wear them on the Honda CG125 because I couldn't change gear.

The thought of you on a CG125 is mildly amusing.... "Cowboy riding an Alsatian..." as a Weegie mate of mine used to say.

 

[John Roberts]

Is that an early Kinematic linkage...? Bear with me, I'm going back 30 years here. Is the end that connects to the shaft into the gearbox not splined? If it is, you can surely just rotate it one spline clockwise on the shaft and that'll raise the gearchange lever enough to get your boot underneath it.

Yes, Early kinematic, I think. Rod bent at both ends and retained in the gearshift lever and pedal lever with spring clips.

Splined? Not to my knowledge, the shaft that engages with the selector cam has a sort of 'birdsmouth' connection which can only engage in one position, as opposed to splines which could be adjusted. Having said that, I'll check when I get to the Wee-Kend, can't do anything before because I hope to set off early.

 

[brassmonkey001]

Personally, if I'd just taken delivery of a new pair of boots I'd wear them around the house for a week or so before using them in anger. Especially if riding a 4-500 mile round trip.
Wear your old boots to Sids and break the new ones in when you get back is my advice.

 

[Beemerboff]

Still wearing my Hoggs and I had them when Ileft Scotland in 1973.

The adjustable linkage is the way to go - the early ones had a left/right hand thread so adjusting is easy, the later ones have two right hand and have to be removed to adjust them.

I think the lever which goes into the box has the birdsmouth in a different position on the G/S box, I am not certain,but when I replaced the G/S box recently with a non kick start box I had to swap the lever too, too keep the pedal in the same position.

I have also replaced the pedal end with a home made roller which is twice as wide ads the origonal so it is a bit easier to get my toe in and under.

I have widened and moved forward the brake pedal with a bit of L shaped alum checker plate too, as my boots dont fit under the carb either.

 

[John Roberts]

Personally, if I'd just taken delivery of a new pair of boots I'd wear them around the house for a week or so before using them in anger. Especially if riding a 4-500 mile round trip.
Wear your old boots to Sids and break the new ones in when you get back is my advice.

Old pair? I don't have an old pair, never had boots before over the last 35years

Otherwise I totally agree with you, one hundred percent. I've changed my route so as to use roads needing minimum number of gearchanges, dual carriageways and motorways. I can see me stopping and changing part way...

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Just do the trip in 1st gear- simples!
We can talk Altbergs all Wee Kend.
See you at Sid's - think you'll be finding out if you Hoggs are waterproof too!
Roger

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Still wearing my Hoggs and I had them when Ileft Scotland in 1973.

The adjustable linkage is the way to go - the early ones had a left/right hand thread so adjusting is easy, the later ones have two right hand and have to be removed to adjust them.

I think the lever which goes into the box has the birdsmouth in a different position on the G/S box, I am not certain,but when I replaced the G/S box recently with a non kick start box I had to swap the lever too, too keep the pedal in the same position.

I have also replaced the pedal end with a home made roller which is twice as wide ads the origonal so it is a bit easier to get my toe in and under.

I have widened and moved forward the brake pedal with a bit of L shaped alum checker plate too, as my boots dont fit under the carb either.

Jeeez , If you have been wearing them since 1973, I hope you are not comming down to the Wee-Kend.

 

[alistairl]

The thought of you on a CG125 is mildly amusing.... "Cowboy riding an Alsatian..." as a Weegie mate of mine used to say.

too right, it was such a big deal for me at the time but now I think how small the bike was.

There's a pic taken a few years later which should be on my facebook page

 

[Schtum]

There's a pic taken a few years later which should be on my facebook page

This one....?

 

[The Other PaulG]

Had the same problem with enduro boots for years.

I just learnt to change gear using the edge of the sole.

+1 Not ideal but OK

 

[alistairl]

This one....?

Aye I've lost a few stones since then but I'd still have my knees round my ears gear change is quite tricky because a lot of size 14 touring style boots have a deep toe. And you should see my offroad boots