Right Side Jockey Shift
Sounds like a wicked idea , but I have one question to ask .
If your using your left hand to clutch and your right hand to shift ..... how will you give it throttle ? I think a foot clutch and left hand jockey would be the best ....just my .02 .
Or am I missing something ?
Milz
If your using your left hand to clutch and your right hand to shift ..... how will you give it throttle ? I think a foot clutch and left hand jockey would be the best ....just my .02 .
Or am I missing something ?
Milz
I think its a brilliant idea, go for it, dare to be different~
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 51
From: Cincinnati
Ok, now that I am sober I went out to check the feasibility of a right side jockey or tank shift. You guys are right, unless I do some serious mods, there is not enough room for the shifter to run from the left to the right. As for the right side tank shift, I'm not to sure where the links would run without it looking ugly. Don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up just trying to figure it out. What is nice is that I have plenty of time to come with something. Thanks for the help guys.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Georgia
Ok, this isn't exactly what you said you were looking for, but I think it'd work out better. Instead of having a right side clutch, you keep your throttle, & brakes on the right side, but you put the clutch perch on the actual jockey shift lever - sort of like a tractor type shift lever.
Grip the lever and then move it forward/back to shift gears. This pic isn't mine I just grabbed it off the interwebz, but it is what I'm talking about.
Grip the lever and then move it forward/back to shift gears. This pic isn't mine I just grabbed it off the interwebz, but it is what I'm talking about.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: OC SoCal
You can remove your throttle return spring and bang thru the gears just fine without letting go of the RH shift stick!!
Don't give me any safety crap, as this whole setup isn't designed around safety anyways. Many used to ride with no throttle return spring. In the ooooooooole days.
Don't give me any safety crap, as this whole setup isn't designed around safety anyways. Many used to ride with no throttle return spring. In the ooooooooole days.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 86,081
Likes: 118
From: Snottsdale, Az
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,550
From: South Carolina
There`s no way you can rig up a bike with a hand shift contraption and ride smooth, but then maybe it is not about the ride, but the way it looks parked against the curb...maybe I`m just an old fart (I got kicked off a site for saying old fart). I never could get the form before function thing...OK no question about it I am an old fart...
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 0
From: Right Behind You
I like the concept, but would have to agree that the left foot clutch or hand clutch/shift would be the way to go. No matter what, it's your ride and you're free to mod it anyway you want. I just think that shifting by reaching across your body, knowing that eventually a rough patch of pavement or those ruts worn into the street by big rig tires is going to make for a very colorful shift while being in an unbalanced position.
As far as the rolling off the throttle talk, I for one never roll completely off the throttle when shifting, that make's for one jerky *** ride. Anyway, good luck no matter how you decide to do it, and post pics of your progress along the way. Who knows, you may fab the next must have shifter and be laughing all the way to your garage full of Harley's.
As far as the rolling off the throttle talk, I for one never roll completely off the throttle when shifting, that make's for one jerky *** ride. Anyway, good luck no matter how you decide to do it, and post pics of your progress along the way. Who knows, you may fab the next must have shifter and be laughing all the way to your garage full of Harley's.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Riverside,CA
I have had this idea since I have owned my Softail and I might finished my dream. Its not that hard to have a right hand tank shift with a right hand throttle and clutch on the left hand. Basically it would be a very similiar setup to a Indian Chief or Sport Scout as you can move the shifter to either side. I have spoke with my bike builder and it can be done, its not impossible. For those of you who were wondering how you can shift, its simple, you let off the throttle reach down on the side of the tank, shift and hand back to the throttle. I have set my scout up this way and all my German bikes are the same. I really want to convery my 1992 Softail to this set up. Its really easy to use once you do it and much safer than a jockey shift. The right hand tank shift is possible....
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 1
From: Goldsboro, NC
I was at a bike show here in the UK and saw a bike with a right hand shift. I stared at it for a while making sure I was seeing it correctly. Sure enough, I spoke to the builder and it was a custom bike he had built and he decided to put a right hand shift on it. I thought I took some pics of it, but I can't find them. It seems like the shifter assembly came through the frame just behind the engine and the shifter itself was just ahead of the front of the seat. You didn't have to reach down like on a jockey shift but it wasn't as far forward as a tank shifter. Hopefully that makes sense and helps if you really want to do it.
I'm not going to say it can't be done, because I've seen it. However in all other shifting arrangements, you have three functions done by three mechanisms. One hand for the gas, one hand for the clutch (or one foot for the clutch) and one foot for the shifting (or one hand for the shifting). But with a right side shifter you will have three functions and only two mechanisms (one hand for the clutch and one hand for both the gas and shifter). Hopefully this makes sense and you'll have to decide if this is something you want to tackle in the future. Good luck in whatever you decide.
I'm not going to say it can't be done, because I've seen it. However in all other shifting arrangements, you have three functions done by three mechanisms. One hand for the gas, one hand for the clutch (or one foot for the clutch) and one foot for the shifting (or one hand for the shifting). But with a right side shifter you will have three functions and only two mechanisms (one hand for the clutch and one hand for both the gas and shifter). Hopefully this makes sense and you'll have to decide if this is something you want to tackle in the future. Good luck in whatever you decide.