General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Do you shift without the clutch?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 10:43 AM
  #71  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,131
Likes: 51,466
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by 10 RED RK
From first to second I always use the clutch. From there up I shift a lot of times without the clutch - I leave off the throttle a little bit and it goes right into gear - Same thing for shifting down....

BTW most over the road truckers do the same thing on 9-15speed transmissions - A couple of ours were well over 1 million miles and 70% of the time the driver was shifting up/down without a clutch.

World of difference in the gear boxes and the size and durability of what's inside , a 15 speed runs about 400 lbs while the average HD tranny is about 30 think about it .
 
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 10:47 AM
  #72  
patrickd's Avatar
patrickd
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Default

I don't get most of the reasons why folks don't use the clutch. Other than those with arthritis so bad it hurts to do it. If that were my concern I think I'd have the clutch adjusted so I didn't have to pull it in very far. The rest of it sounds like folks are too lazy to use it.

How big of a pain in the *** is it to use the clutch?
 

Last edited by patrickd; Oct 27, 2012 at 10:49 AM.
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 12:05 PM
  #73  
Harleycruiser's Avatar
Harleycruiser
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
Default

Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
So your a mechanic with a lifetime of experience inside harley motors & trannies ? Or you just another owner with lots of money who lets somebody else deal with the trivial stuff like fixing your bike ?

I did say to each their own a couple times didn't I ??????????

You know for the life of me, I don’t know why I come in here and try to share information.
In all honesty I don’t care if you don’t want to shift without a clutch. OP ask if anyone did.
You are absolutely right I am not a Harley mechanic. And only do a minimal work on my bike.
I did write a how to on how to change your spark plugs a couple of years ago.
http://www.aimag.com/forums/harley-t...ement-how.html


And one about detailing your bike and how to install plastic chrome.
http://www.aimag.com/forums/harley-m...il-bagger.html

So I will shut my mouth and let you guys go back to your threads about how you change your oil every thousand miles, run nitrogen in your tires, get back to your pusificatin threads.
After all I am getting to lazy to type anyway.
 
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 12:25 PM
  #74  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,131
Likes: 51,466
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by Harleycruiser
You know for the life of me, I don’t know why I come in here and try to share information.
In all honesty I don’t care if you don’t want to shift without a clutch. OP ask if anyone did.
You are absolutely right I am not a Harley mechanic. And only do a minimal work on my bike.
I did write a how to on how to change your spark plugs a couple of years ago.
http://www.aimag.com/forums/harley-t...ement-how.html


And one about detailing your bike and how to install plastic chrome.
http://www.aimag.com/forums/harley-m...il-bagger.html

So I will shut my mouth and let you guys go back to your threads about how you change your oil every thousand miles, run nitrogen in your tires, get back to your pusificatin threads.
After all I am getting to lazy to type anyway.
Don't get butt hurt because somebody has more practical experience in the relevant fields this topic is all about . Yes you can do it all day long but it honestly isn't good for a motorcycle transmission for more reasons than I have time to type out in here . There's worlds of basic mechanical differences between the smaller lighter gears boxes on our rides than even the smallest car much less the monster boxes on heavy trucks .

Speed shifting on bike is racers thing and like it or not the bikes that get beat like that go whack sooner or later , I've blown a couple trannies doing it personally street racing and acting a fool .

Ride your bike how you see fit brother just don't be blowing smoke up newbies asses in here telling everybody it's all wine & roses to mistreat a scooter .
 

Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Oct 27, 2012 at 03:40 PM.
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 12:52 PM
  #75  
AllenW's Avatar
AllenW
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 121
From: Mpls, MN
Default

The japanese bikes I have had can be shifted with out the clutch much easier than my WD, seems to be just a bunch of weight going around in the HD tranny, and it's not as fond of shifting as the rice burners with their lighter gear sets.

But if you have it down, sure you can skip the clutch.

But if you have to ask, I wouldn't.

I use the clutch because I want to put speed parts in the motor, not new tranny parts because I missed a shift.

Choice is yours.

Al
 
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 01:03 PM
  #76  
patrickd's Avatar
patrickd
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Default

This boils down to being real simple.

Is there a benefit to shifting without using the clutch?

Is there potential for causing damage to the bike by shifting without using the clutch?
 
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 03:07 PM
  #77  
Harleycruiser's Avatar
Harleycruiser
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
Default

Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
Don't get butt hurt because somebody has more piratical experience in the relevant fields this topic is all about . Yes you can do it all day long but it honestly isn't good for a motorcycle transmission for more reasons than I have time to type out in here . There's worlds of basic mechanical differences between the smaller lighter gears boxes on our rides than even the smallest car much less the monster boxes on heavy trucks .

Speed shifting on bike is racers thing and like it or not the bikes that get beat like that go whack sooner or later , I've blown a couple trannies doing it personally street racing and acting a fool .

Ride your bike how you see fit brother just don't be blowing smoke up newbies asses in here telling everybody it's all wine & roses to mistreat a scooter .
Let me review what I have said; I do it all the time, not every shift but a lot.
Got 145k on the bike.
I have never tried to talk anyone into doing it, that is their choice.
I don’t feel it is any worse on the trans than when you clunk the trans in first when it is cold.
I never said it was good for the bike.
I do it because of my arthritis acts up.
I will add I am not talking about shifting under drag conditions, I am talking about cruising down the road and letting off the gas and nudging it into the next gear.
You are the one trying to make this a pissing contest, by implying I never work on my own bike, when you can see by my links that I do.
Last my feeling have never been hurt, I just find it amusing when you try to share information in here how many internet experts come out of the wood work, giving their advice on what they wont/don't do.
 
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 03:15 PM
  #78  
Tech23's Avatar
Tech23
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by Rick-e
No but I put a little pressure on the shifter slightly before I pull the lever. It gives it a nice precise feel.
Applying pressure to the shifter moves the shift fork against the groove on the gear accelerating wear on the fork and the groove on the gear...if you are going to disengage the clutch anyway why not do it in the proper sequence of proper operation, and reduce unnecessary accelerated wear and tear on those parts?

Tech23
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 03:48 PM
  #79  
SportsterBob's Avatar
SportsterBob
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk, VA
Default

You can up-shift the 5-speed or 6-speed trans without using the clutch but you can bend a shift-fork while learning how to do it...It's your choice!
 
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 03:50 PM
  #80  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,131
Likes: 51,466
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by Harleycruiser
Let me review what I have said; I do it all the time, not every shift but a lot.
Got 145k on the bike.
I have never tried to talk anyone into doing it, that is their choice.
I don’t feel it is any worse on the trans than when you clunk the trans in first when it is cold.
I never said it was good for the bike.
I do it because of my arthritis acts up.
I will add I am not talking about shifting under drag conditions, I am talking about cruising down the road and letting off the gas and nudging it into the next gear.
You are the one trying to make this a pissing contest, by implying I never work on my own bike, when you can see by my links that I do.
Last my feeling have never been hurt, I just find it amusing when you try to share information in here how many internet experts come out of the wood work, giving their advice on what they wont/don't do.
Fuc your internet expert nonsense , are you in any way a harley davidson mechanic trained or otherwise and if so how long have you been at it garage tinkering and plastic chrome aside ? I am and have been since the late 70's . Do as you please it's your bike , I've been dealing for 30 plus years now with the results of what happens when people play outer the design parameters and no clutch shifting is not in any way recommended by any technical person or publication I've read or come across for a motorcycle .
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:28 AM.

story-0
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-6
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE