Tank shift for amputee
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,893
From: Oklahoma
Don't most, or all automatic clutches for Harleys require MANUAL release for shifting, that they are only "automatic" for starting from a stand-still? Is there such a thing as a clutch that will engage smoothly (like a centrifugal clutch) but will only drive in one direction (like being connected to the transmission input shaft through a ratchet or sprag clutch) that will disengage from the input shaft when the throttle is reduced or closed for shifting?
Last edited by btsom; Feb 25, 2026 at 10:58 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 439
From: Mount Rainier, Washington
Don't most, or all automatic clutches for Harleys require MANUAL release for shifting, that they are only "automatic" for starting from a stand-still? Is there such a thing as a clutch that will engage smoothly (like a centrifugal clutch) but will only drive in one direction (like being connected to the transmission input shaft through a ratchet or sprag clutch) that will disengage from the input shaft when the throttle is reduced or closed for shifting?
https://efm-auto-clutch.square.site/
Last edited by Tailbreaker; Feb 26, 2026 at 07:57 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 206
Likes: 45
From: Mpls.
I am a threw the knee amp. No knee, which makes it much harder to shift. If you are below the knee i think a longer shift peg on the shifter may work ok for you.
What i did was to rotate the rear shifter arm straight up and weld a rod onto it with a shift ball. I just reach over and shift with my right hand. And yes, i have to take my hand off of the throttle to do it. It's slow ,but i am still riding .
I do ride a trike now. If below the knee amp riding a 2 wheeler is still possible.
Many different ways to shift the bike . I didn't care for the electric shifters, i wanted to shift it myself. Let us know what you decide on. Good Luck !
I thought about using the Widow maker shifter and bending it up straighter and leaving my clutch on the handlebar. Don't care for the clutch on the shifter.
What i did was to rotate the rear shifter arm straight up and weld a rod onto it with a shift ball. I just reach over and shift with my right hand. And yes, i have to take my hand off of the throttle to do it. It's slow ,but i am still riding .
I do ride a trike now. If below the knee amp riding a 2 wheeler is still possible.
Many different ways to shift the bike . I didn't care for the electric shifters, i wanted to shift it myself. Let us know what you decide on. Good Luck !
I thought about using the Widow maker shifter and bending it up straighter and leaving my clutch on the handlebar. Don't care for the clutch on the shifter.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,254
Likes: 4,946
From: England
I have seen a solenoid system connected to the gear change linkage with buttons on the handlebars for up and down gear shift. No need to take hands off the bars to operate the bike as you would with a jockey change.
I have seen a guy quite regularly who has a prosthetic leg. He put a U shaped tray on his bike for that foot and basically rides one legged. I don't know what he does for gear change though but it isn't a jockey shift.
I have seen a guy quite regularly who has a prosthetic leg. He put a U shaped tray on his bike for that foot and basically rides one legged. I don't know what he does for gear change though but it isn't a jockey shift.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 408
Likes: 288
From: Wiesbaden /Germany
Please check out the german YouTube channel "Einarmhelden & Einbeinhelden"
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@einarmhelden_einbeinhelden
Mike
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@einarmhelden_einbeinhelden
Mike
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
All I can add is I worked with a guy, left leg amputated below the knee and prosthetic leg. Had a Road King and he rode A LOT. He had some sort of push button pneumatic shifter. Worked great for him
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