Wanting to put a jockey shift on my chopper. 1957 panhead on a wishbone frame with forward controls. Any ideas out there?
Pictures might be helpful.

 

Well then are you going with the foot clutch set-up and with the jockey shift why
the forward controls.

 

I already have forward controls and was thinking of some how using the shift lever as the foot clutch. What about the linkage for the foot clutch? The shifter arm should be easy. I don't know, just looking for ideas.

 

Well it could probably be done but you will be doing alot of fabrication. the nice thing about the original foot clutch was that you could have the bike in gear and just put the foot clutch down and it would stay,sort of giving you a neutral and I think that feature would be lost with using the foot shifter for the clutch.

 

you can buy the whole kit for that bike, it is the cheapest and most popular kit.. just look at v twin or any other catalog.. i used to see the jockey kit for under $50. it would probaly be closer to $100 for shifter,pedal and linkage now..

 

It's funny you should mention the old clutch set up. I was just out in my shop and was wondering about the stand on one leg thing. I prefer to keep both feet on the ground.

 

To answer your question, yes, it's pretty easy to convert a foot shifter into a suicide clutch. Mind you, converting it into a "liveable" clutch is a bit more tricky. If you don't get the angle and leverage right it'll end up as a switch, on/off, instead of something you can feather out at a light. But it *would* be a suicide clutch, and they can take some getting used to. Especially on a kick-only bike (you can quietly thumb start an e-start bike if you stall it at a light, but a kicker is a bit more obvious...). You might consider converting to a stock rocker clutch as mentioned above. Properly installed and adjusted, a rocker clutch will keep the clutch disengaged (or engaged, depending on your choice of terminology) at a light: however, it's NEVER a good idea to fully trust a rocker as they *can* vibrate/slip down and launch you into the middle of the intersection. Mine's never done that, but I do keep it properly tuned and adjusted. And I also rarely trust it except in emergencies...

-Kuda
'49 panchop

 

Thanks for the advice Kuda. I'm starting to rethink the whole idea, after all I have alot of other things to do first.

 

I've had a suicide clutch on my 1964 Panhead for over 200,000 miles. I converted the H-D footshift lever for use as a suicide. I shortened and redrilled the clutch release lever (the lever over the top of the trans) and then made my own clutch pull rod to suit. I also made my own jockey shift lever.

It looks like you may have changed your mind on this but let me know if you want some details. In the meantime you could practice keeping your left foot up at stoplights etc to get a feel for what it would be like. Eric

 

Thanks Speedy. I have'nt scrapped the idea just yet, good advice practicing the one leg thing. Guess I'll need that front brake after all. Was thinking of eliminating it, but will definately need it with foot clutch. Good day mate!