I'm probably wrong but suicide shift, Really?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,883
Likes: 33,001
From: King George, VA
In a 4 wheel vehicle you really don't have the problem of loosing your balance, I think.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 127
From: SW OREGON
You are correct.. only a modified foot clutch with the over center spring removed was and still should be termed "suicide clutch". While we're at it, a tank shifter with all linkage removed and the shifter connected directly to the transmission is called "jockey shift". My experience was this '39 EL bobber.
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada
Maybe we could rename the kill switch too. Seems a little over aggressive considering the bike restarts every time you use it. Maybe call it the "Rider actuated, painless, coma inducing, motor switch".
I think suicide shift phrasing seemed perfectly appropriate. What do you do on that VLD when you go to shift? You operate the foot style clutch then make the shift. It's not like you just ride along and operate the clutch from time to time without shifting. You make a decision to shift and use the clutch to facilitate that shift. Therefore the danger is in making the complete shift, not just using the clutch. My $.02
I think suicide shift phrasing seemed perfectly appropriate. What do you do on that VLD when you go to shift? You operate the foot style clutch then make the shift. It's not like you just ride along and operate the clutch from time to time without shifting. You make a decision to shift and use the clutch to facilitate that shift. Therefore the danger is in making the complete shift, not just using the clutch. My $.02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,737
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From: Driftless Area
Met a guy once who was running an open-belt primary with a jockey shift. He was missing 2 1/2 of the last three fingers on his left hand. He said it happened so fast, he didn't really feel them come off. I think he was lucky his left foot didn't commit suicide as well.
Club Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 87
From: Stokton, CA
I rode 3 different bikes with Suicide cluth and Jocky shift....
I usually had it in Neutral befor I came to a stop.
I did learn to stop and lean to the right with right foot down and left foot on the clutch....
You tend to ride mostly with one hand on the bars and one on the shifter....Especialy around town....
They do take some getting used to and are a blast to ride....
I usually had it in Neutral befor I came to a stop.
I did learn to stop and lean to the right with right foot down and left foot on the clutch....
You tend to ride mostly with one hand on the bars and one on the shifter....Especialy around town....
They do take some getting used to and are a blast to ride....
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Wildomar, CA
It's been my understanding that a true "suicide" bike was a foot clutch, jockey shift with no front brake.
If you catch a red light on a hill (think San Fransisco) and you slip the trans into neutral before you stop, you use your right foot on the rear brake to hold you in place and your left foot to hold up the bike.
When the light turns green you have to take your right foot off the brake and put it on the ground so you can push in the clutch with your left foot, slap it in gear and take off without rolling too far backwards. It's a tricky thing to do and that's why it was suicide.
If you have a front brake it's just a foot clutch, jockey shift bike because you can use the front brake to hold the bike in place. Even if your foot slips off the clutch the front brake will make the bike stall out.
If you catch a red light on a hill (think San Fransisco) and you slip the trans into neutral before you stop, you use your right foot on the rear brake to hold you in place and your left foot to hold up the bike.
When the light turns green you have to take your right foot off the brake and put it on the ground so you can push in the clutch with your left foot, slap it in gear and take off without rolling too far backwards. It's a tricky thing to do and that's why it was suicide.
If you have a front brake it's just a foot clutch, jockey shift bike because you can use the front brake to hold the bike in place. Even if your foot slips off the clutch the front brake will make the bike stall out.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 10
>>It's a tricky thing to do and that's why it was suicide.<<
Sometimes on a hill I'd just roll backwards putting my back tire up against the bumper of the cage behind me. Of course that's when cages still had real bumpers and I looked a lot more menacing . . . LOL!
And everyone up-board is right. Most of what's called suicide shift today is actually just jockey shift.
Sometimes on a hill I'd just roll backwards putting my back tire up against the bumper of the cage behind me. Of course that's when cages still had real bumpers and I looked a lot more menacing . . . LOL!
And everyone up-board is right. Most of what's called suicide shift today is actually just jockey shift.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Oughtta see what happens when you give a li'l ol' gal her first ride on a suicide/jockey and forget to tell her to always talk into your right ear. First time she talks into your left ear when you're coming to a stop and can't quite find neutral can get a wee bit exciting.
1972 XLCH - left side suicide clutch, right side jockey shift, left side throttle
1978 FLH - rocker clutch, hand shift, 3 speed w/reverse
1987 FLST - suicide clutch, jockey shift, Baker N1 shift top
2007 XLN - suicide clutch, hand shift (but now back to stock for THE MAMA)
1972 XLCH - left side suicide clutch, right side jockey shift, left side throttle
1978 FLH - rocker clutch, hand shift, 3 speed w/reverse
1987 FLST - suicide clutch, jockey shift, Baker N1 shift top
2007 XLN - suicide clutch, hand shift (but now back to stock for THE MAMA)
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Joe Kucinski
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,053
Likes: 5
From: Southern IL
I also think some folks get a lil nit picky ...I always just figure suicide shift came around because of the set-up ...not an actual part.
that said , I love my jockey, can't explain why....it just feels right
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
My old 1942 "45" still had the rocker clutch. I never had a problem with it. As said above, it was a little tricky on a hill with no front brake. My cable was broken. Cushman motor scooters had suicide clutches and jocky shift, but it was also with a centrifical clutch.