Do you shift without the clutch?
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
Think we used to call it "speed" shifting back in the 70s.........I was never coordinated enough to do it, even on the old non-synchro tanker we have.
I use my clutch to keep my left hand out of my crotch while riding happy
I use my clutch to keep my left hand out of my crotch while riding happy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
You got a frekin clutch so why not use it! Anyone who sais speed shifting is a good idea is a nut. If pulling the lever is to hard install an easy clutch kit or an electric solenoid type. Can speed shifting be done yes but get the rpm speed thing off a little and you will sheer a dog or break a thrust washer. Last thing we need is some noob trying to show off at bike night with his speed shifting skills. Don't try this at home kids...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
I do not know how I keep getting sucked into these types of threads.
One more time.
I do it because of my occasional arthritis.
If you have arthritis you would understand.
I do not do it all the time, but do do it often.
I am not lazy.
This is not a bad habit.
I do it on purpose.
Yes I have a easy pull, and have my lever adjusted for minimal pull.
I ride almost every day, forty miles round trip.
Put about fifteen k a year.
It comes down to a choice of shifting without my clutch or driving the car.
I chose shifting without my clutch.
Yes if I break it I have to fix it.
Do I know the risk, absolutely.
I have seen the inside of a few Harley's transmissions so yea I break it I fix it.
Yes I know clutches are cheaper than transmissions.
I don’t speed shift or power shift, it is just a gentle shift between gears. The transmission does not grind, does not clunk.
Feels just like shifting with a clutch if you do it right.
An electronic shifter like Pingel does the same thing it interrupts the ignition then shifts without the clutch.
I do not recommend this to anyone, decide yourself.
If you ever get arthritis let your Harley sit and take you car I feel that is a shame but, that is your decision.
Yes I have 145k on my bike I am not bragging I am stating a fact.
And yes my transmission shifts perfect both with and without a clutch.
Did i miss anything?
Any questions?
One more time.
I do it because of my occasional arthritis.
If you have arthritis you would understand.
I do not do it all the time, but do do it often.
I am not lazy.
This is not a bad habit.
I do it on purpose.
Yes I have a easy pull, and have my lever adjusted for minimal pull.
I ride almost every day, forty miles round trip.
Put about fifteen k a year.
It comes down to a choice of shifting without my clutch or driving the car.
I chose shifting without my clutch.
Yes if I break it I have to fix it.
Do I know the risk, absolutely.
I have seen the inside of a few Harley's transmissions so yea I break it I fix it.
Yes I know clutches are cheaper than transmissions.
I don’t speed shift or power shift, it is just a gentle shift between gears. The transmission does not grind, does not clunk.
Feels just like shifting with a clutch if you do it right.
An electronic shifter like Pingel does the same thing it interrupts the ignition then shifts without the clutch.
I do not recommend this to anyone, decide yourself.
If you ever get arthritis let your Harley sit and take you car I feel that is a shame but, that is your decision.
Yes I have 145k on my bike I am not bragging I am stating a fact.
And yes my transmission shifts perfect both with and without a clutch.
Did i miss anything?
Any questions?
Last edited by Harleycruiser; Oct 28, 2012 at 05:41 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 27
From: San Diego, CA
The reason we did it was to save on the clutch. The mechanics I've talked to say the reason were were able to do that was because the transmissions on the trucks have a syncro/feeler thing built into the gears that made it possible.
The truck clutch is a dry clutch which will wear out faster if used all the time. The Harley clutch is a wet clutch bathed in oil and won't wear out as fast.
The gears in Harley are just plain hard steel gears that if meshed too hard will chip and possibly shatter. You should not shift without the clutch unless for some reason the clutch is not working and you have no other choice to get it and you somewhere safe.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
sorry double post
Last edited by heybaylor; Oct 28, 2012 at 12:12 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
I do not know how I keep getting sucked into these types of threads.
One more time.
I do it because of my occasional arthritis.
If you have arthritis you would understand.
I do not do it all the time, but do do it often.
I am not lazy.
This is not a bad habit.
I do it on purpose.
Yes I have a easy pull, and have my lever adjusted for minimal pull.
I ride almost every day, forty miles round trip.
Put about fifteen k a year.
It comes down to a choice of shifting without my clutch or driving the car.
I chose shifting without my clutch.
Yes if I break it I have to fix it.
Do I know the risk, absolutely.
I have seen the inside of a few Harleys transmissions so yea I break it I fix it.
Yes I know clutches are cheaper than transmissions.
I don’t speed shift or power shift, it is just a gentle shift between gears. The transmission does not grind, does not clunk.
Feels just like shifting with a clutch if you do it right.
An electronic shifter like Pringel does the same thing it interrupts the ignition then shifts without the clutch.
I do not recommend this to anyone, decide yourself.
If you ever get arthritis let your Harley sit and take you car I feel that is a shame but, that is your decision.
Yes I have 145k on my bike I am not bragging I am stating a fact.
And yes my transmission shifts perfect both with and without a clutch.
Did i miss anything?
Any questions?
One more time.
I do it because of my occasional arthritis.
If you have arthritis you would understand.
I do not do it all the time, but do do it often.
I am not lazy.
This is not a bad habit.
I do it on purpose.
Yes I have a easy pull, and have my lever adjusted for minimal pull.
I ride almost every day, forty miles round trip.
Put about fifteen k a year.
It comes down to a choice of shifting without my clutch or driving the car.
I chose shifting without my clutch.
Yes if I break it I have to fix it.
Do I know the risk, absolutely.
I have seen the inside of a few Harleys transmissions so yea I break it I fix it.
Yes I know clutches are cheaper than transmissions.
I don’t speed shift or power shift, it is just a gentle shift between gears. The transmission does not grind, does not clunk.
Feels just like shifting with a clutch if you do it right.
An electronic shifter like Pringel does the same thing it interrupts the ignition then shifts without the clutch.
I do not recommend this to anyone, decide yourself.
If you ever get arthritis let your Harley sit and take you car I feel that is a shame but, that is your decision.
Yes I have 145k on my bike I am not bragging I am stating a fact.
And yes my transmission shifts perfect both with and without a clutch.
Did i miss anything?
Any questions?
also do the same thing over , and over, hoping for different results.
Einstein made a statement about those people
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
When I used to drive trucks, back in the 70's and 80's, I didn't use the clutch to shift either. But, I didn't only use my clutch when I was taking off from a stop but also used it to come to a stop. You must have had to re-start your engine a lot when you didn't use it to come to a stop too.
The reason we did it was to save on the clutch. The mechanics I've talked to say the reason were were able to do that was because the transmissions on the trucks have a syncro/feeler thing built into the gears that made it possible.
The truck clutch is a dry clutch which will wear out faster if used all the time. The Harley clutch is a wet clutch bathed in oil and won't wear out as fast.
The gears in Harley are just plain hard steel gears that if meshed too hard will chip and possibly shatter. You should not shift without the clutch unless for some reason the clutch is not working and you have no other choice to get it and you somewhere safe.
The reason we did it was to save on the clutch. The mechanics I've talked to say the reason were were able to do that was because the transmissions on the trucks have a syncro/feeler thing built into the gears that made it possible.
The truck clutch is a dry clutch which will wear out faster if used all the time. The Harley clutch is a wet clutch bathed in oil and won't wear out as fast.
The gears in Harley are just plain hard steel gears that if meshed too hard will chip and possibly shatter. You should not shift without the clutch unless for some reason the clutch is not working and you have no other choice to get it and you somewhere safe.
We are not talking about truck transmissions.
A Harley transmission is constant mesh.
The gears do not have to mesh the dogs on the end of the gears do.
Get your Harley manual out and study the pictures then we will talk.