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| 08-28-2006 12:36 PM | ||
| 3LOU5 |
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The "taking-off-the-left-hand-from-the-handlebar-to-shift" is a bit unnerving. And what further complicates the whole shifting process is the fact that this transmission was based on 1940s technology, and because there was a lot of "slop", had little to no feel in regards to what gear I was in.  These bikes are not meant for performance, and the fact that they completely switch the controls to what we now think is "normal" reiterates it. I mean, why the hell build a bike with no front brakes when 70% or so of your braking is done there, right? The reason is, and the majority of the riding community might not agree with this, is for looks. There's something to be said about clean lines where there's not too many cables and levers and calipers and rotors ruining the look of the front end. And I think, and in my opinion, the whole foot clutch/hand-shift thing just makes motorcycling more fun.........if a bit more dangerous. 
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| 08-28-2006 10:53 AM | ||
| John V |
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I reckon the folks building these bikes don't give much though to that kind of thing, based on the number of choppers I've seen with no front brakes.
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| 08-28-2006 10:15 AM | ||
| dredmo |
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From what I hear (no personal experience), what you say is true at first, but easily overcome after a bit of riding. What I hear is the worst thing is the fact that you have to take your hand off of the handlebar to downshift, and most panic situations require downshifting - now you're downshifting with one hand on the bars. I'm no expert, but in a few conversations I've had about them, that has been the main concern. Don't quote me. 
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| 08-28-2006 09:57 AM | ||
| John V |
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I would be worried not about getting the bike going but rather getting it stopped and the clutch disengaged in a panic situation. |
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| 08-24-2006 10:37 PM | ||
| 3LOU5 |
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http://www.jpcycles.com/catalog/2005...talog/0102.htm There are springs, but they are not really "return" springs, per se. Once you depress the clutch forward to make the bike go, it remains there. To "disengage" the clutch, you have to push the "heel" part down, and again, once you push it down it stays there. I should've taken a pic of the whole bike, but I was so excited I forgot my digicam in the house. 
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| 08-24-2006 07:05 AM | ||
| John V |
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 .So the clutch only stays engaged when you're pressing down on it? Does it have a spring to return it to the disengaged position? In other words, do you have to keep the clutch pressed all the time? |
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| 08-23-2006 10:35 PM | ||
| 3LOU5 |
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Hell, if you can take a few weeks off, grab a buddy and take a ride up there. You will be going through some gorgeous scenery. Or, you can do what 99.9999% of the so-called "bikers" do up there: "Ride your bike to Trailer Week"  I really wanted to conquer my "fear" of suicide shifters, but after seeing an Asian girl ride one on Main Street in Sturgis (she was one of Keino's crew from the Indian Larry camp), I knew I could do it too. (Sounds chauvinistic, huh?) The learning procedure was indeed scary......and fun. Once I got the hang of it, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. The scary, heartbeat-skipping part was when I tried to engage the front binders only to find out that there was no right lever to pull. You'd be surprise how hard it is to adjust to different controls after learning and riding for many years on a "conventional" bike.  The first pic is probably the oldest bike in the Rally. A 1914 Harley in immaculate condition. I was talking to the owner and he tells me he's had obscene offers for the bike, but since it has been in his family since 1916, he is reluctant to sell it (understandably). The second is a chopped Honda that we named "The Spike Bike". I sure as hell wouldn't want to be involved in an accident while riding it.
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| 08-23-2006 10:12 PM | ||
| blee | So the clutch is engaged when the pedal is pushed down on the bike. The clutch is DISengaged when the pedal is pushed down in a car. | |
| 08-23-2006 10:08 PM | ||
| 3LOU5 |
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In a car, to make it go forward, you have to slowly let off the pedal (i.e. release or "pull" it in). However, in this particular rigid (and I don't really know if all suicide shifters are set up this way), I had to do the opposite and PUSH the pedal forwards to make the bike go. (Remember, in a car, if you PUSH the clutch pedal, you ain't goin' nowhere). [Please don't have me resort to crude drawings for further clarification] 
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| 08-23-2006 10:26 AM | ||
| dredmo |
Holy Shit ! I want to meet Arlen Ness lol! Bah, no fair. I'm pretty jealous right about now. hell, I'm excited for you. And yeah, I'd imagine learning how to work it should be easy enough - especially if you practice it sort of like the MSF courses teach you to do. i.e. sit on the bike, put it in first and just feel how the gear pulls a bit, then practice shifting at very low speeds etc... Anyways, put some pics of the bike you will be buying up here!!! |
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