Suicide Shifters & Foot Clutches

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  • Опубліковано 20 гру 2023
  • A controversial subject for sure but here are the facts, truth and correct terms on most motorcycle gear changes and clutch operation.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 29

  • @larryfromwisconsin9970
    @larryfromwisconsin9970 4 місяці тому

    Interesting. In the 1970s I had a Harley Davidson Electra Glide Police Special with the foot clutch and tank shifter. I managed fine. I could never get the shifter gate adjusted for all gears. I converted it to a ratchet top transmission so I didn't need to search for gears. Later I chopped the bike and ran a jockey shifter. I still kept the heel toe friction plate clutch, chromed of course. When I chopped it I severely reduced the wiring so I eliminated the ignition switch and only had an ignition toggle switch. Nobody else could ride it, nobody was going to steal it.

  • @25chief39
    @25chief39 7 місяців тому

    As far as I can figure out, a "suicide clutch" is simply one with no means of stopping the clutch plates engaging when you took your foot off the clutch pedal. This is completely normal on manual-shift automobiles (a.k.a. "cars" in Australasia) and not considered at all suicidal, but it does makes life a lot more interesting on a foot-clutch mo'sickle and as-such is normally restricted to devices created by your more hard-core type of chopper builder. As a rider of a stock '44 Indian Chief, on the other hand, I am glad for the adjustable friction washer that allows you to avoid suicide because you can then take your foot off the clutch pedal when stationary with the bike in gear!
    To really get up the noses of Harley chopper/bobber riders who so proudly have a so-called "suicide clutch" and "jockey shift" set-up installed on bikes running a Big Twin four-speed transmission, it becomes very pertinent for pre-1954 Indian owners to point out that "Synchro-mesh is for pansies, a Real Man rides with a "crash'n'burn" non-synchro transmission!" (a.k.a."Gearbox" in Australasia).
    Follow-up video needed for yuppies to guide them through "synchro" vs. "non-synchro"?

  • @peteduch2151
    @peteduch2151 7 місяців тому +1

    I had a bike i madeup a handshifter with a clutch handle attached to it i took a while to get used to no fear of dead

  • @Stroke2Handed
    @Stroke2Handed 7 місяців тому

    Nice!🤘

  • @1466bird
    @1466bird 7 місяців тому

    I disagree with your comment on the Indian four (I've owned two and a Henderson 4). The foot clutch of the four and Henderson is not a suicidal clutch at all. As your vid demonstrated the clutch has a safety lock out in the event of the need for a quick stop and a foot plant. Is it a true safety clutch -probly not. Is it suicidal, nope. Just my opinion.

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому

      Yes they do have the locking mechanism and if used of course they are a lot safer. However their operation (being spring loaded) is in fact the definition of a suicide clutch even with that locking mechanism feature. Its just a fact but i do appreciate your feedback. Ride safe buddy.

  • @paulfrancis5728
    @paulfrancis5728 7 місяців тому

    these days they are also removing the front brake just for looks with foot clutch and jockey shifter, now to me that is a true suicide machine.

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому

      Yep, a motorcycle with no front brake is just asking for trouble!

  • @mattjacomos2795
    @mattjacomos2795 7 місяців тому

    Nice vid. Loving the pop culture references... I used to have an S4R Monster Testastretta too!
    Authorities standardised the positions of shift and clutch levers due to accidents when people would swap from one type of bike to another.

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому

      Yes i imagine that is why it was all standardised. And thank you!

  • @gcanaday1
    @gcanaday1 7 місяців тому

    I would have thought that the suicide shifter would have been called that because you have to take a hand off the bars to change gears. Eh, whatever... I've never ridden a clutch like that
    Edit: oh hell yeah, a model K!

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому

      No buddy, taking one hand off the bars to change gears is hardly suicidal. As i mentioned there is no such thing, the term is all about the clutch and nothing else. not how you change gears.

  • @dennman8832
    @dennman8832 7 місяців тому +1

    The Suicide shift term refers to a scoot with a foot clutch ,a shifter handle right off the tranny and no front brake on the scoot. Stopping on a hill made taking off suicidal.

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому +1

      Nope. What's the worst thing that could happen taking off on a hill, roll back into a car or just drop your bike, either one is hardly suicidal. Front brakes had been in use since the 1920's just like rocker & suicide foot clutches. Anyway, believe what you want to. I'm not getting into any arguments on the subject. I know what I know. Cheers

    • @DANTHETUBEMAN
      @DANTHETUBEMAN 7 місяців тому

      in the USA that's the definition, you would have to ride the clutch to hold it when stopped going up hill, and down hill I guess you just die 😁

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому +1

      @@Crimepaysaskapolitician if he had 3 legs he would have been fine 😉

  • @jeremyharris5102
    @jeremyharris5102 7 місяців тому

    Hi, another excellent video, always amusing, a fine arse and no buggering about😂😂😂

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому +1

      Yes it was a nice arse lol. I guess you could say I am not very politically correct, but that term never existed when i grew up. And thank you for taking the time to give me some nice feedback mate!

  • @wallacebrucker1584
    @wallacebrucker1584 2 місяці тому

    Age and weakness has precluded my ability to up,shift my 2007 stteet. Glide. I had hand clutch with shifter arm attachment mounted..
    To me, it,is awkward as He'll. if. I really don't like it at all . If there
    Was any. Alternative I would not have done it. I rode tank shift harley
    In the past but were a piece of cake compared to this..i have a side car
    Mounted to my bike. Without it I would have fallen over. It is going to tak❤e a lot of time to get proficient with this new shifter. I am 85 I don.t
    lknow if have the time to do so.

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  2 місяці тому

      We all get older buddy. You seem to be going pretty well to me. I too have a sidecar.

  • @freisianpug
    @freisianpug 7 місяців тому +3

    First of your videos I've seen. I won't be watching any more.

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому +1

      No worries, cheers

    • @DANTHETUBEMAN
      @DANTHETUBEMAN 7 місяців тому +4

      ​@@motorcyclecafe
      I will watch then twice to make up for the loss 🤠

    • @motorcyclecafe
      @motorcyclecafe  7 місяців тому +2

      @@DANTHETUBEMAN thanks buddy 😉 no need lol. I produced this video more for myself, because its something that I knew about & has always annoyed me, so i thought what the hell.

  • @subliminal741
    @subliminal741 2 місяці тому

    The whole term suicide clutch is a load of shit, imo
    I have a 48 & 56 pan both foot clutch (not rocker) drop the clutch and they’ll just stall and not move more than a foot my shovel is the same, I like the term but myth busted 😂😂

  • @shupshekitty
    @shupshekitty 7 місяців тому

    Good video. I get so tired of misinformed crap calling them suicide shifters. There's no such thing and to call it that shows your ignorance. Hopefully this video will inform those.