Do you shift without the clutch?

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 25, 2012 | 07:39 PM

#41

patrickd

Elite HDF Member

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 3,910

Likes: 2

From: Nebraska

Thanks for that response Twized. Common sense says the clutch is there for a reason. Why I'll even bet mechanical sense can prove why.

Oct 25, 2012 | 07:45 PM

#42

Harleycruiser

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 2,938

Likes: 30

From: North Florida

Sure do it all the time, the dogs keep the gears engaged, so let off the gas, gently pull up on the shifter and when the gears reach the same speed the dogs let go and you shift.
It takes a little practice, I do it when the arthritis acts up and the easy pull is not enough.
Got 145 thousand miles on the bike,01 fatboy five speed.

That is how the electronic shifters work, they interrupt the ignition then shift.

Oct 25, 2012 | 07:48 PM

#43

patrickd

Elite HDF Member

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 3,910

Likes: 2

From: Nebraska

How do you tell when the gears reach the same speed? Vulcan tranny meld?

Oct 25, 2012 | 07:58 PM

#44

_aaron

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 158

Likes: 1

From: SOMD

I'll do it on my rm125, not my softail. I know it is possible, but I'd rather not risk it without a reason.

Oct 25, 2012 | 07:59 PM

#45

Harleycruiser

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 2,938

Likes: 30

From: North Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickd

How do you tell when the gears reach the same speed? Vulcan tranny meld?

Patrick you can tell by the sound of the motor, when it would match the speed of the next gear. Plus like I said, the gears slide on the main shaft, the dogs keep the gears from sliding when they are under load, as soon as the load is released the gear can slide.
And just a gentle pull on the shifter, otherwise you will force the shift.
This is my personal opinion but I don’t think it is any worse on the trans than when you clunk it into first gear when it is cold.

Oct 25, 2012 | 08:03 PM

#46

Harleycruiser

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 2,938

Likes: 30

From: North Florida

I will add when I use the clutch I just pull it enough to barely let the plates slip, and use the same principle.
Also keep the clutch adjustment real loose and close to the grip

Oct 25, 2012 | 08:17 PM

#47

MattCo

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 358

Likes: 0

From: Los Angeles, CA

I've done it upshifting but never downshifting, i'm scared of reving it too much too fast ...

Oct 25, 2012 | 08:27 PM

#48

Harleycruiser

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 2,938

Likes: 30

From: North Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCo

I've done it upshifting but never downshifting, i'm scared of reving it too much too fast ...

For some reason I have never felt the need to do it downshifting. You only need to pull in the clutch once while you are stopping, and pulling in the clutch is the painful part. Once it is in not hard to keep it in, so slow down until you need to pull in the clutch and downshift one after the other until you are in first.
I have tried it but does take a little more practice.

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders