Widow maker shifter
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
A good friend had this set up for a few months about 4 years ago. It was a nightmare for him and he is a motorcycle cop and a hell of a rider. Way to difficult and I would never run it. Just my opinion.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: New England
Also called a Suicide Shifter. For the hardcore old school mindset. Personally I think they are bad ***, but it would be a pain in the *** to have to ride all the time. To me, it's more of a show bike gimmick to make the bike stand out. You can ride it to the show or ride it from where you parked the trailer to where you are showing it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 7
From: Liverpool UK
Suicide clutch is a rocker pedal, quite different from a foot clutch.
I've had a WMI jockey shift on my bike for over 30,000 miles and will never go back to a foot shift. It's a blast to use, gets a ton of attention and it's a lot easier to use than you think. We've sold over 150 shifters in the last 6 months alone and ALL of our clients love the product. Checkout the testimonial section on www.handshifter.com to see just a few. We are also very proud of the fact that we are helping riders get back on the road that have issues with their left leg or no leg at all. Jockey shifts are not for everybody, but if you're an experienced rider and want something affordable for your bike that really sets it apart from every other bike in the parking lot, you may want to checkout a WMI jockey shift.
I've had a WMI jockey shift on my bike for over 30,000 miles and will never go back to a foot shift. It's a blast to use, gets a ton of attention and it's a lot easier to use than you think. We've sold over 150 shifters in the last 6 months alone and ALL of our clients love the product. Checkout the testimonial section on www.handshifter.com to see just a few. We are also very proud of the fact that we are helping riders get back on the road that have issues with their left leg or no leg at all. Jockey shifts are not for everybody, but if you're an experienced rider and want something affordable for your bike that really sets it apart from every other bike in the parking lot, you may want to checkout a WMI jockey shift.
As I said prior, I'm goin back to open coal Fires me? Oh & that washing machine can go, I'll beat my clothes on a rock down by the stream & I'll get loads of attention!!!
Last edited by chap!; Feb 6, 2012 at 02:11 AM.
Chap, you're welcome to your opinion. Although your opinion has been formed without even trying our product. I think you'd be surprised how much you'd like it. By the way, you've done a nice job on your Deluxe. Looks cool. Ride safe and have fun.
A rocker clutch is what was used on early factory bikes. It involved a rocker pedal (similar to toe/heel shifts on dressers) that would enable the rider to lock the clutch in a disengaged position. This would allow the rider to place both feet on the ground while stopped and remain in gear.
A "suicide" clutch came about with the chopper era, when riders disabled the locking feature of the rocker clutch making it impossible to remain in gear and place both feet on the ground. It was mainly termed "suicide" because most of the riders who did this modification were also not running a front brake. At a stop, with your right foot on the ground, there were no brakes being applied. So on hills, one would have to feather the clutch to remain still, and if your foot slipped off the clutch there was nothing holding you back from shooting into cross traffic.
Modern foot clutches are just that. A foot clutch. With your front brake applied at a stop, there is no danger of shooting into the intersection or the vehicle in front of you. The bike simply stalls, thus removing the danger that was inherent with the "suicide" clutch.
Cars have used foot clutches forever. All my cages have foot clutches. Not sure why this is such a huge "step backwards" in technology. To those that think that, why do you even use a manual transmission? Why not get an automatic? They make them, and in some cases you can even convert your existing tranny. That's the latest and greatest, leave that shifting stuff for the old dudes!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: the dry side of WA state
A buddy of mine has no choice but to use a setup like the Widow Maker since losing his left leg below the knee in a bike accident. This guy grew up on a bike and he said that it was scary as hell at first, but it has become second nature for him now two years on. He is one of the hardest riding guys I know, and if you think it slows him down at all you'd be mistaken. You can see the brass knuckles brazed to the top of the shifter.
Last edited by HolePuncher; Feb 3, 2012 at 10:13 AM.
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I have though, rode a Harley with a foot clutch & shift by the tank & although was told by my friend (who's bike it was!) yeah see what your saying but you need to get used to it,I just couldn't see 'any' advantage & instead saw it being more awkward & a pain in traffic or when your giving it some through twists!
The friend btw after quite a few discussions with others over how good or bad it was, well stripped it off & then told us how sick of it he was?
All the best Widow Maker!
Last edited by chap!; Feb 3, 2012 at 10:21 AM.