Widow maker shifter
No sorry, I wear jeans & t-shirts! On the road that is! On the Track! Yes full leathers! Off road! Yes off road gear! Oh & nearly forgot, full leathers when I was Drag racing in the 80's! That's been a while though! & I'm not even gonna go there about using one for that!?
Last edited by chap!; Feb 5, 2012 at 02:40 PM.
I'm all for jockey/tank/WMI shifters, especially since they can help those with injuries or disabilities get back on a bike. In my case, a number of years ago I messed up my left elbow really good, but continued to use the stock hand clutch. Despite therapy, the pain worsened, so I tried a Muller Power Clutch, lubing the cable, etc., as I commuted to work every day on my bike. At one point I couldn't pick up a 1lb package of ground beef without intense pain and I even considered selling my bike. My doctor wanted to operate and I was leery, so we decided on a compromise: injections, and I told the doc I wanted to work on the cause, not the symptoms. I stopped riding for a month, did some research on the InterWeb, and found some D-I-Y foot clutch solutions for the Sporty. I threw a shifter together using an old Hurst shift lever from my junk pile, then early one Sunday morning did a herky-jerky ride to a large parking lot a mile down the road and spent an hour getting used to the starts/stops, and especially tight left & U turns. I'd found the solution, and I was just happy to be back in the saddle again!
My setup has since morphed into what I have now, but I can't see going back. No one asks to ride my bike, and it tends to stay parked where I last left it.
My setup has since morphed into what I have now, but I can't see going back. No one asks to ride my bike, and it tends to stay parked where I last left it.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 3
From: Orange County, CA
I just wanted to add that I read the testimonial from the Canadian couple on WMI's website where they both had lost their left legs due to a drunk driver, and how they are now riding together again on a WMI-equipped trike--- that is very cool. 
Last edited by TRacer; Feb 5, 2012 at 12:42 PM.
All the best!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 669
Likes: 21
From: Riverside, CA
I'm bringing back this old thread because I've got the need for one of these WMI kits.
I want one for one reason. They look ****ing fun! And after 32 years of riding I need something to make me smile more. (I say more because I already smile but I'd like me grin to go further.)
Those that use it could always pipe up with their lasting impressions...
I think they look very cool. But I can just imagine this being a ton of fun.
Think I will order one tomorrow.
P.S. if WMI actually still look at these posts...maybe chime in with a realistic turn around time when ordering?
I want one for one reason. They look ****ing fun! And after 32 years of riding I need something to make me smile more. (I say more because I already smile but I'd like me grin to go further.)
Those that use it could always pipe up with their lasting impressions...
I think they look very cool. But I can just imagine this being a ton of fun.
Think I will order one tomorrow.
P.S. if WMI actually still look at these posts...maybe chime in with a realistic turn around time when ordering?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
From: BC
^^^^^
IMHO the widow maker looks lame and I would never rock one on my bike, but...... I DO LIKE the foot clutch and jockey shift and think you should go that route - I know I am in the next year or so.
IMHO the widow maker looks lame and I would never rock one on my bike, but...... I DO LIKE the foot clutch and jockey shift and think you should go that route - I know I am in the next year or so.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 669
Likes: 21
From: Riverside, CA
I actually don't think the WMI unit looks lame. I dig it. I don't like the jockey shifter though. I prefer a tank shifter. As for the foot clutch; I'm not too keen on that. I like the idea of having both feet on the ground when needed. The only foot clutch that makes sense to me is the rocker but I think those are ugly and I don't like how I'd lose the ability for fast shifts.
The way I look at it each setup has it's advantages and disadvantages.
Widowmaker:
Pros: Clean up bars, able to put both feet down when needed, cool looking,
Cons: Only one hand for bars while using clutch, cleans up bars but clutters up left side by tank
Suicide clutch + Jockie:
Pros: Looks cool, cleaniest look, able to use both hands on bars while using clutch.
Cons: It's a jockie (which I dislike) when using clutch only right foot available to put on ground when needed (rocker solves this but then its an ugly rocker)
I know what I like anyway. I don't like the look of the LAJockey system though I do like the ability to use a shift ****.
I think it really comes down to the clutch for me. I prefer the tank shifter all the way. I don't think it looks bad. The only thing I am a little up in the air about is the clutch but the way I look at it if I decide I don't like having the clutch on the shifter or if I think it looks bad then I can invest in a foot clutch and still use the WMI shifter. With the speed holes (what they call it - lol) the shifter arm looks much better. Put a chrome handle and shifter on it and I think it will look great. I don't mind riding with one hand. Thats not a big deal at all. I turn, u-turns, into out of parking lots etc w/ one hand all the time.
Ultimately it's about the fun factor for me. This looks like it will be fun.
The way I look at it each setup has it's advantages and disadvantages.
Widowmaker:
Pros: Clean up bars, able to put both feet down when needed, cool looking,
Cons: Only one hand for bars while using clutch, cleans up bars but clutters up left side by tank
Suicide clutch + Jockie:
Pros: Looks cool, cleaniest look, able to use both hands on bars while using clutch.
Cons: It's a jockie (which I dislike) when using clutch only right foot available to put on ground when needed (rocker solves this but then its an ugly rocker)
I know what I like anyway. I don't like the look of the LAJockey system though I do like the ability to use a shift ****.
I think it really comes down to the clutch for me. I prefer the tank shifter all the way. I don't think it looks bad. The only thing I am a little up in the air about is the clutch but the way I look at it if I decide I don't like having the clutch on the shifter or if I think it looks bad then I can invest in a foot clutch and still use the WMI shifter. With the speed holes (what they call it - lol) the shifter arm looks much better. Put a chrome handle and shifter on it and I think it will look great. I don't mind riding with one hand. Thats not a big deal at all. I turn, u-turns, into out of parking lots etc w/ one hand all the time.
Ultimately it's about the fun factor for me. This looks like it will be fun.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
I actually don't think the WMI unit looks lame. I dig it. I don't like the jockey shifter though. I prefer a tank shifter. As for the foot clutch; I'm not too keen on that. I like the idea of having both feet on the ground when needed. The only foot clutch that makes sense to me is the rocker but I think those are ugly and I don't like how I'd lose the ability for fast shifts.
The way I look at it each setup has it's advantages and disadvantages.
Widowmaker:
Pros: Clean up bars, able to put both feet down when needed, cool looking,
Cons: Only one hand for bars while using clutch, cleans up bars but clutters up left side by tank
Suicide clutch + Jockie:
Pros: Looks cool, cleaniest look, able to use both hands on bars while using clutch.
Cons: It's a jockie (which I dislike) when using clutch only right foot available to put on ground when needed (rocker solves this but then its an ugly rocker)
I know what I like anyway. I don't like the look of the LAJockey system though I do like the ability to use a shift ****.
I think it really comes down to the clutch for me. I prefer the tank shifter all the way. I don't think it looks bad. The only thing I am a little up in the air about is the clutch but the way I look at it if I decide I don't like having the clutch on the shifter or if I think it looks bad then I can invest in a foot clutch and still use the WMI shifter. With the speed holes (what they call it - lol) the shifter arm looks much better. Put a chrome handle and shifter on it and I think it will look great. I don't mind riding with one hand. Thats not a big deal at all. I turn, u-turns, into out of parking lots etc w/ one hand all the time.
Ultimately it's about the fun factor for me. This looks like it will be fun.
The way I look at it each setup has it's advantages and disadvantages.
Widowmaker:
Pros: Clean up bars, able to put both feet down when needed, cool looking,
Cons: Only one hand for bars while using clutch, cleans up bars but clutters up left side by tank
Suicide clutch + Jockie:
Pros: Looks cool, cleaniest look, able to use both hands on bars while using clutch.
Cons: It's a jockie (which I dislike) when using clutch only right foot available to put on ground when needed (rocker solves this but then its an ugly rocker)
I know what I like anyway. I don't like the look of the LAJockey system though I do like the ability to use a shift ****.
I think it really comes down to the clutch for me. I prefer the tank shifter all the way. I don't think it looks bad. The only thing I am a little up in the air about is the clutch but the way I look at it if I decide I don't like having the clutch on the shifter or if I think it looks bad then I can invest in a foot clutch and still use the WMI shifter. With the speed holes (what they call it - lol) the shifter arm looks much better. Put a chrome handle and shifter on it and I think it will look great. I don't mind riding with one hand. Thats not a big deal at all. I turn, u-turns, into out of parking lots etc w/ one hand all the time.
Ultimately it's about the fun factor for me. This looks like it will be fun.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 12
From: TEXAS
widow LOVE
love mine ...!!!!!
http://www.barnettharley.com/galleri...k/1-6-14.html#
http://www.barnettharley.com/galleri...k/1-6-14.html#
Last edited by AA79912; Jan 11, 2014 at 10:23 PM. Reason: wrong picture