Jockey shift
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 127
From: SW OREGON
I would like to add that there does seem to be some confusion as to what a jockey shifter and suicide clutch are. The jockey shift is a shifter that is connected directly to the transmission with no linkage. You had to reach under your butt to shift. The suicide clutch was a converted foot clutch where the foot pedal & over-center spring was removed with only a peg to shift with. The original foot clutch was NOT called a suicide as you could press down on the heel (I think) and the clutch would remain disengaged allowing you to put down both feet. To engage the clutch, you'd press slowly down with sole & off you'd go. One nasty feature of the converted (suicide) clutch & where it got it's name was that if you pushed the peg a bit too far, it would suddenly engage the clutch & you'd find yourself in the middle of the intersection. Stalling then trying to start on a hill was also an adventure... one of many. But I have to say that my '38 Knuckle stroker with jockey/suicide was my favorite harley.. Maybe until this one.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 13
From: Northern UTARD
I've gone to the jockey shift,foot clutch set up and I'll never go back. Makes riding more fun. That clutch on the shifter is lame IMHO. As stated just put it in neutral before ya stop no problems.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 378
Likes: 6
From: Pasadena, TX
One of the advantages of having the clutch on the foot and not the shift handle is that when you take off, both hands are can be on the handle bars. If you mount the clutch on the shift handle, you will always have to start off using just one hand on the bars.
I was too cheap to buy my set up, so I ended up making it. It's a total blast to ride! Stop and go traffic like at some of the larger rallys can get a little rough, but most of the time it's b*tchin'.
I was too cheap to buy my set up, so I ended up making it. It's a total blast to ride! Stop and go traffic like at some of the larger rallys can get a little rough, but most of the time it's b*tchin'.
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 283
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, TX
spooner,
I love your set up. Every time time I see it makes me want to put a foot clutch on my bones.
Ole Coyote keep us informed on what you decided to do with your bike. Would love to see a detailed install.
I love your set up. Every time time I see it makes me want to put a foot clutch on my bones.
Ole Coyote keep us informed on what you decided to do with your bike. Would love to see a detailed install.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
I run a suicide clutch with a tank shifter on my 06 springer. If you buy any set up, get one from Labriola Machine. Their bracketry is thick, it looks OEM. Their set up has a clutch cable that will not hit your tire or fender. You get what you pay for.
If you go jockey shift, go all the way. Getting a clutch on the shifter is faking it. It is just a decoration. If you are not going to walk the walk, don't do it.
These new bikes are easy to find nuetral, so it won't be a problem at a light. You just pop it into nuetral when coming to a light. I ride to work daily (except Jan/Feb usually) in NJ. I often ride into NYC with it. Give a real suicide clutch a try, you will enjoy it. I ride so many miles that riding was getting boring, the suicide clutch adds some fun to the ride.
My wife rides a street glide. She was hit by a car a few years ago and had 4 surgeries on her ankle. A few months ago, I bought a Crossbones. I thought she might like to ride that around town and the SG on long trips, due to her ankle. If she does not like riding the Crossbones, I am going suicide clutch and jockey shift.
Back in the day, most guys were running their bike without a front brake, which really made it a suicide clutch.
If you go jockey shift, go all the way. Getting a clutch on the shifter is faking it. It is just a decoration. If you are not going to walk the walk, don't do it.
These new bikes are easy to find nuetral, so it won't be a problem at a light. You just pop it into nuetral when coming to a light. I ride to work daily (except Jan/Feb usually) in NJ. I often ride into NYC with it. Give a real suicide clutch a try, you will enjoy it. I ride so many miles that riding was getting boring, the suicide clutch adds some fun to the ride.
My wife rides a street glide. She was hit by a car a few years ago and had 4 surgeries on her ankle. A few months ago, I bought a Crossbones. I thought she might like to ride that around town and the SG on long trips, due to her ankle. If she does not like riding the Crossbones, I am going suicide clutch and jockey shift.
Back in the day, most guys were running their bike without a front brake, which really made it a suicide clutch.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: south bend, IN
been wantin' this
glad I saw your posts. It talked me outa the only one I saw: The one with the clutch on the shifter. Now I need to dig deeper and understand how the foot clutch works. Which "foot" operates it?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
The left foot operates the clutch.
Basically, the kit you want to look for is the one offered by La Briola, out of Denver.
www.lajockeyshifter.com
The clutch cable is removed from the left handlebar to the left footpeg/footboard.
The shift linkage is removed and a lever is installed.
Press the clutch pedal down, and shift as needed. Shifting forward is downshifting, shifting backward is upshifting.
If you choose a tank shift, it's reversed.
There is a thread with hundreds of replies that has more information.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ts-see-em.html
Basically, the kit you want to look for is the one offered by La Briola, out of Denver.
www.lajockeyshifter.com
The clutch cable is removed from the left handlebar to the left footpeg/footboard.
The shift linkage is removed and a lever is installed.
Press the clutch pedal down, and shift as needed. Shifting forward is downshifting, shifting backward is upshifting.
If you choose a tank shift, it's reversed.
There is a thread with hundreds of replies that has more information.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ts-see-em.html
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
I ran this kit on my softail for many years, until I sold the bike. You get used to it pretty quick. I rode everywhere with this setup never ahd an issue as a result. That being said the next 3 bikes I have bought still avhe the hand clutch and foot shifter.
It was fun learning how to ride the bike in the busy city traffic where I live.
It was fun learning how to ride the bike in the busy city traffic where I live.