Suicide clutch
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,974
Likes: 63
From: Los Angeles
Suicide clutch
I know old Indians, and i think old HDs to, have the suicide clutch. I asked an old timer why its called that, he says cause if you use it wrong it will flip you over backwards. At highway speeds that equals death. That makes me afraid to ride it and i've been riding for a while. Anyone ever rode an oldie with the suicide clutch?
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
Really they were called that was because (the I know betters will be in shortly) you had to shift with one hand, clutch and release with a foot and break and throttle with the other hand.and foot... on a hill it was a PITA..... definitely a hand/eye/foot/hand coordination thing..... hence suicide shift.
I will be proven wrong in a matter of hours, TIA
I will be proven wrong in a matter of hours, TIA
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
I know old Indians, and i think old HDs to, have the suicide clutch. I asked an old timer why its called that, he says cause if you use it wrong it will flip you over backwards. At highway speeds that equals death. That makes me afraid to ride it and i've been riding for a while. Anyone ever rode an oldie with the suicide clutch?
Left foot clutch. Left hand on jockey shift. Right foot on brake. Right hand on throttle to keep the damn thing running and to steer.
Better find neutral fast coming to a stop at a signal/intersection or out you went into traffic.
Also factor in usually 1 or more false neutrals to keep you on your toes.
Better find neutral fast coming to a stop at a signal/intersection or out you went into traffic.
Also factor in usually 1 or more false neutrals to keep you on your toes.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
The old bikes had "rocker" clutches, not suicide clutches. The clutch pedal stayed where you put it, if the tension was set correctly.
Now, a rocker clutch could become a suicide if the tension was too loose. But even then it simply mimics a car clutch - pedal down & you're disengaged; pedal up & you're engaged.
Now, a rocker clutch could become a suicide if the tension was too loose. But even then it simply mimics a car clutch - pedal down & you're disengaged; pedal up & you're engaged.
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