Clutch or no clutch
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
Clutch or no clutch
As a new Harley rider ('07 Bob) I have a habit of changing up without using the clutch from 2nd to 6th gears ... will this cause any damage to the Harley box ?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: SW Corner of NW Corner
RE: Clutch or no clutch
from 2nd to 6th? or.. "through" ???
if you are shifting from 2nd to 6th, you are most likely lugging the motor which is bad... I will assume that is a typo.
in any case, use the clutch
if you are shifting from 2nd to 6th, you are most likely lugging the motor which is bad... I will assume that is a typo.
in any case, use the clutch
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Clutch or no clutch
If you installed a dyna PC lll.......you can get from them a new shift rod which plugs into the PC lll.....
No clutch is needed for upshifts after you install the new rod wiresto the commander..
BUT......I would use my clutch if I didn't...FOR SURE !!
There are many good things about a PC lll that people don't take full advantage of.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/23685/DAC554358A9A4B7C8DB3F45CED28E8FA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/23685/8B05D0E1551043019419E666785854B8.jpg[/IMG]
No clutch is needed for upshifts after you install the new rod wiresto the commander..
BUT......I would use my clutch if I didn't...FOR SURE !!
There are many good things about a PC lll that people don't take full advantage of.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/23685/DAC554358A9A4B7C8DB3F45CED28E8FA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/23685/8B05D0E1551043019419E666785854B8.jpg[/IMG]
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
RE: Clutch or no clutch
L0W R1D3Ris this a harley thing without using the clutch?
Well firsta bio I am a browser here and have been working on my 03 FXD for about a year, pictures will come soon. I dont have alot of time to interact in the forumand I am a littleHarley illiterate. I have owned all kinds of bikes from 50cc mini bikes when I was a little one to dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, metric cruisers and have done a good many track days on sport bikes. This is the first harley I have owned and like everyone else I love it. for the last 2 years I probally use my clutch for shifting 50% of the time going from sportbikes, dirt bikes and 4wheelers when I have hardly used the clutch. I have not (knock on wood) had any problems. In your experience what have you seen happen? Anyone elses input also. Maybe I need to break a old habit.
Thanks Mike
Well firsta bio I am a browser here and have been working on my 03 FXD for about a year, pictures will come soon. I dont have alot of time to interact in the forumand I am a littleHarley illiterate. I have owned all kinds of bikes from 50cc mini bikes when I was a little one to dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, metric cruisers and have done a good many track days on sport bikes. This is the first harley I have owned and like everyone else I love it. for the last 2 years I probally use my clutch for shifting 50% of the time going from sportbikes, dirt bikes and 4wheelers when I have hardly used the clutch. I have not (knock on wood) had any problems. In your experience what have you seen happen? Anyone elses input also. Maybe I need to break a old habit.
Thanks Mike
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: Clutch or no clutch
Use your clutch. Use it normally, but don't abuse it though. Avoid holding it in for extended periods of time and riding it...will shorten the life of it big time.
Yes, you can get by doing clutchless shifting if done right...but there is always an opportunity to screw it up. If the clutch lever broke, cable broke, hydraulic line busted...if applicable, or something else is wrong not allowing the clutch to work and you are on the side of the road. Only then, by all means do whatever it takes to ride the bike home so you are not stranded anymore. Repair the problem as soon as possible, before next ride.
Yes, you can get by doing clutchless shifting if done right...but there is always an opportunity to screw it up. If the clutch lever broke, cable broke, hydraulic line busted...if applicable, or something else is wrong not allowing the clutch to work and you are on the side of the road. Only then, by all means do whatever it takes to ride the bike home so you are not stranded anymore. Repair the problem as soon as possible, before next ride.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Clutch or no clutch
I upshift without the clutch 75% of the time. Downshift with the clutch 99% of the time, I rarely downshift without but every once and awhile the situation warrents it.
The gears in the tranny are syncronized. I am sure it does shorten the life of the tranny a bit. But not enough that I care to worry about it.
The gears in the tranny are syncronized. I am sure it does shorten the life of the tranny a bit. But not enough that I care to worry about it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
RE: Clutch or no clutch
ORIGINAL: Alaska Bobber
I upshift without the clutch 75% of the time. Downshift with the clutch 99% of the time, I rarely downshift without but every once and awhile the situation warrents it.
The gears in the tranny are syncronized. I am sure it does shorten the life of the tranny a bit. But not enough that I care to worry about it.
I upshift without the clutch 75% of the time. Downshift with the clutch 99% of the time, I rarely downshift without but every once and awhile the situation warrents it.
The gears in the tranny are syncronized. I am sure it does shorten the life of the tranny a bit. But not enough that I care to worry about it.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
RE: Clutch or no clutch
A
Alaska ... I guess I'm in yours and bzerk's camp ... upshifting from 2nd to 6th (1st to 2nd is too much of a jump) without clutch is instinctive to me from riding mostly Japanese and Brit bikes, downshifting never ... well not on my Harley... much harder to synch the 'box speed.
I'd be interested if anyone has damaged a Harley box this way ... with synchro and experience on the timing/throttle it should be ok ... shouldn't it ?
ORIGINAL: Alaska Bobber
I upshift without the clutch 75% of the time. Downshift with the clutch 99% of the time, I rarely downshift without but every once and awhile the situation warrents it.
The gears in the tranny are syncronized. I am sure it does shorten the life of the tranny a bit. But not enough that I care to worry about it.
I upshift without the clutch 75% of the time. Downshift with the clutch 99% of the time, I rarely downshift without but every once and awhile the situation warrents it.
The gears in the tranny are syncronized. I am sure it does shorten the life of the tranny a bit. But not enough that I care to worry about it.
I'd be interested if anyone has damaged a Harley box this way ... with synchro and experience on the timing/throttle it should be ok ... shouldn't it ?