I would like to leave my testimony. I've been driving my Harley for 25 years with hand shift, clutch in my right hand with the throttle, and both brakes on my right foot. I've never had any problems and I drive without any stress. When I brake I lean to the left. I wish you all good motorcycle rides
Great video! So in 1978 when I was 18 years old I bought a 41 Knucklehead with a rocker clutch and tank shifter. The shop I bought it from was at the bottom of a hill with a gravel driveway. I can't remember how many trys it took to get to the top of the hill, but the old timers told me it's the only way to learn. Years later I had a shovel with a jockey shift. Now I'm 64 and I'm building a rigid frame shovelhead chopper with a jockey shift. But I'm cheating a little and running a front brake. Can't wait to get it finished and have some fun on it.
That’s awesome! You’ve got something none of us younger guys will ever have. To have grown up at a time when those bikes were around and available to an 18 year old. What a beautiful memory to have. I’m jealous! No worries on the front brake though, it’s still every bit as cool as running without one. Glad to hear you’re still jockey shifting that’s inspiring. The comments section here is very divided on it but for guys like you and me, there’s no other way. God bless you, ride safe
Fantastic video! As a certifiable old codger (mid sixties) who has been riding for awhile (since 1976) and has owned my fair share of foot clutch, hand shift bikes, I have to say this brings me back. I love seeing younger guys exploring "the old ways" and learning your impressions of them. I find it hilarious, but satisfying in some odd sort of way, to see the renewed interest in all of this. Back when I was young and poor, me and my buddies rode setups like this because we couldn't afford anything else (read: newer) so we just learned to adapt and live with it. The original heel-toe setups were often in disrepair, so we cobbled them into what you show here. The tank shifter linkages would wear and get sloppy, so we would tear them off and put a handle under our asses, like you show here. All out of necessity, because we couldn't afford to repair them to original condition. We just wanted to ride. Now, some fifty years later, the whole thing has taken on some "retro cool" aura, with you young guys actually SPENDING MONEY to do this to otherwise perfectly good motorcycles. 😉 I think that's funnier than hell. In a good way - you guys are having fun! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for sharing this! I’m lucky enough to have had an old timer in our area tell me the same story about how parts used to be harder to get and so out of necessity the shifter right off the trans was born. Now that I’ve ridden like this for 6 years I’ll never ride a regular shift bike again. It’s just too much fun this way. Thanks for checking out the channel I’m proud to have made a video that can be enjoyed by my generation and yours. Ride safe 🙏🏼
Wow, that was fast! Ah, speaking of when "parts used to be harder to get"... When I think of the value today of parts we just threw away because they were "worthless" back then, or today's value of the bikes that suffered our ham-fisted, bone-headed "modifications" if they were still in original condition... yikes... I would like to add just one thing, hoping like hell that I don't come off as all "preachy" or anything: Front brakes. Big, capable front brakes. I know, I know, front ends look so much better without them, handlebars look so much better without any levers. I get it, I really do. But they have saved my life more than once. I learned to really use them in my road racing days (Ducatis, not Harleys, and I still ride my last race bike today). When that deer jumps out in front of you, when that distracted teenager on her cell phone in mommy's Prius makes the left turn from the oncoming lane in front of you... Anyway, enough of that. You really did an excellent job showing how these things work, and dispelling the myths. Especially the "suicide" thing. About the only danger to us was the guy behind us that got pissed off if we ever killed it at an intersection. Because, you see, all of our bikes only had kickers, and if we killed 'em, everybody behind us got to watch us TRY to restart them... good times... @@greasesgarage
Thanks for showing us how it's done. I ran a jockey shifter for a long time but I never took the front brake off just because it made it so much easier on an incline. Like, I know it can be done but I just didn't want to commit. Also, it's nice to have that extra braking force in an emergency situation. Mad respect to the guys running the full setup though.
Just having the jockey shifter and foot clutch is enough man, it’s all about that feeling of slamming through the gears by hand! Front brake or not that hand shifting action is just so addicting. I can never go back
I'm a bit puzzled as to why it's so popular to get rid of a front brake. Just to strike a better pose? Seems like it's more of a "look at me" thing, then having a more capable bike for real riding. ? I realize the whole "chopper" thing has gone into heavy fad-mode, as far as form and function. I don't know, no offense to anyone, just puzzled. :)@@greasesgarage
@@kneyork9930 it’s ok to wonder about this, there isn’t a great answer beyond simplicity. I’m sure back in the day when parts were harder to come by if your brake broke you’d remove it because you couldn’t find another. Maybe that look became a thing. Nowadays they make “spool” wheels that have no rotor mounts and they look very clean. Lighter maybe, less wires and cleaner bars. It’s not for everyone and I never tell people that they have to get rid of theirs, but I do love when I’m switching out my bars and all I do is swap a throttle house onto a new set and job done.
Truth, it is a cleaner look. My first Harley, the front brake hardly worked. It would gently-kind of slow me down a little by pulling it as hard as I could. !!! I understand the cleaner look, but for me I'll sacrifice that for a front brake. !@@greasesgarage
I owned a jockey shift pan for a number of years, but I always enjoyed riding my super glide more. Right shift,left shift, tank shift,front brake,no brake,it certainly pays to know how to ride them all.
The internet wouldn’t be able to believe someone could ride one of these that long and still be alive 😂 that’s awesome tho man it’s the BEST way to ride
Decent video, and I've been riding a foot clutch forever. Like 40 years at least. I do think a front brake is kind of a good thing with a foot-clutch, on steep hills, but I guess if one does not have one, not gonna put one on. ! I brake with my front 98% of the time, so I've got two reasons. Yes, at one time I rode with rear brake only. Been there done that. I've always used the "jockey top" on the tranny, and not the ratchet shifter. So I've always thought of the ratchet top shifter as "something else". Don't know what, but maybe just where I live. But at one time the old-style shifter-top was the "jockey top" . Not that it matters and of course terminology changes. I especially like that you pointed out that if you do get off balance, just stall the bike. I've seen a few drop their bikes while learning, because they are frantically trying to find neutral and get it out of gear. Anyhow, good job. :)
Thanks brotha, really appreciate the feedback. Yes I do think terminology has changed. As it’s been described to me there are “cowpie” or “rotary top” transmissions which is what I’ve got. These are late model model Shovelhead transmissions. Second is the “ratchet top” transmission, the early Shovelhead transmissions. These have the circular plate on the trans that accepts the 3 screws for the shifter. This is the most common transmission for jockey shift because it’s easier to fabricate a shifter mount. Lastly there’s the jockey lid you’re describing. The older knucklehead version where you manually engage each gear as opposed to just going forward or back. I’d love to try one of these but they’re so expensive nowadays
What I like about the older style, which I have/always had is that I don't have to click back through the gears, just one motion to go back to neutral or first, you can "skip" third, second, N. However, I've never had the ratchet top...so don't really know which is best. I think, or would guess the old style is easier on the tranny, but don't actually know that either. Thank you for your replies. @@greasesgarage
This clip randomly showed up in my feed; before today, I had never seen this channel before. Great stuff, and maybe the best tutorial on this I’ve ever seen. I’m not building a chopper right now, and probably never will. But I’m subscribing because I like learning about things I can’t and may never learn to do.
I really appreciate this comment man, thank you for the kind words and for checking out the channel. I’m glad to hear the delivery is working and making it simple 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Wow,thank you for your help setting the video and info about the jockey shift setup. It was a idea that I was struggling with, I now will be doing a jockey setup for my 1999 dyna super custom and will follow the directions you have made available in video to move forward in learning how to operate the ("GREASE SHIFT ")... ELZO RHODES
Owned a '48 EL back in the '60's(No front brake) had the original hand shift tranny lid. Didn't have the money to get a ratchet top. Stopping at a traffic light on a hill was a hoot. If you were packing a passenger she would invariably shift that ass to the right while you were stopped, generating a whole new problem. Since I was running a short rear fender sometimes if you timed it right you could ease back and rest against the bumper of the car behind you, cram it into gear and be gone before the driver realized what was happening. Still riding but disc brakes and tubeless tires were the best thing to happen to motorcycles.
That’s rad man! What a time to be alive. Such cool vehicles back then. I hear you on the disc brakes tho, if I’m running only a rear brake it better be a disc! Tubeless tires are awesome cause they’re easily patched but I just never cared for the mag wheel look.
Hands down one of the best videos I’ve ever watched. Although I will never have this setup on my bike, I love watching a tutorial like yours that is top notch. That ride along camera at the clutch/shifter is outstanding. Well done and thanks!
I really appreciate the feedback man! Love to know that it’s coming across the way I hoped it would. If you know someone it could help please share it with them, there are so few videos on this topic and I’m trying to let people see it’s much easier than they think! 🙏🏼
I've tried my friend's old police shovelhead with the stock rocker clutch and hand shift, and I think the toe-to-go clutch action is harder to modulate and a lot less intuitive than the car-type quick clutch that you're using. You can plant your heel on the board and have a pivot point. With the rocker clutch, you're whole foot is in the air. But with practice I'm sure you can get used to anything.
I've been riding with a jockey shift for about 18yrs and recently bought a new bike with a hand clutch........needles to say that handclutch is coming off 😂 Love the vid ! Keep it up !
Love to hear it man! Maybe you can help some of the people in the comments here wondering why we would do such a crazy thing 😂 It’s funny you say that about the new bike, I been looking at evo road kings for something more comfortable to carry a passenger but I always get hung up on it because the five speed is a little tougher to set up for jockey shift . Hand clutch is not an option
@@greasesgarage my new bike is a Roadstar xv1600 Yamaha so I'm gonna have to build it from scratch. Shouldn't be that hard though Why is it hard swap it on the five speed ?
@Dirksdungeon man I wish I had taken some! But it’s sooo easy on that bike. You just bend the shifter shaft about 15 degrees and connect it to the clutch arm instead with a bolt (they’re right next to each other) then for the shifter I found that a cheap shift peg for an xs650 has the same spline side so I put that onto the shifter spline and welded a rod and handle to it. Job done! Keep your stock floorboard and shifter peg and it’s now a foot clutch
@Dirksdungeon lucky you! It’s gonna be the easiest foot clutch conversion ever. Find me on instagram and send me a pic of your shifter section on the bike and I’ll draw it out for you
Just my two cents on the subject. I’ve never known anyone personally who has died or came close from a Jockey setup. I would agree that most people who parrot those danger warnings probably haven’t either. You are correct that at a stop if you dump the clutch you aren’t going anywhere. When I was tying to teach my son to ride he was slowing down to make a turn and because of his inexperience and nervousness he forgot to downshift. When slowing down from 4th gear, regardless of clutch type if your clutch isn’t engaged the motorcycle will eventually start lunging back and forth. I’ve seen it cause my son to inadvertently give the throttle a twist which caused him to miss the turn and hit a ditch. All as a result of inexperience. I’m sure accidents happened that caused someone somewhere to be injured or maybe even killed. It wasn’t in my opinion the jockey shift to blame but inexperience. But for someone who heard the story passed on by a couple dozen people blamed the shifter setup and it just keeps getting worse the more the story is told.
Love Jockey shifters.. only thing about no front brake though is if you have to stop on a hill for whatever reason (at a light or something). Kinda sketchy. You di cover that though.. just gotta be quick with it! Awesome video as always!
G'day buddy, on my 78 shovelhead I have my pedal connected to a mousetrap with a 13 inch lever bolted to the mousetrap that comes up next to the gas tank which is handy if I want to put the left foot down while in gear ( great for hill starts) also it takes the weight of the pedal off the push rod and I made the whole shebang with stainless steel. I also built a suicide clutch and jockey shift for my ironhead sportster which is another story. Cheers buddy and thanks for the veelogs, I'm watching from the deep south of New Zealand.
That’s awesome man, what a rad setup! Would love to see that mousetrap shoot me some pics if you’re on instagram. New Zealand looks awesome, I have a few swannys I got from back when they were still made in NZ, incredible stuff.
@@greasesgarage G,day buddy, no Instagram or any of the others I don't even possess a cellphone (cellphones are a spy) but look on flickr home page and put in - Oamaru airport drags - and it should be the first bike on the page, black with 18inch bars and 3inch belt tap on the pic. and expand it. Yes the old Swannies are great I've got a 100 percent wool black zip up made in NZ jacket that's quite heavy along with a couple of the more traditional ones. Cheers buddy and I hope you find it.
Happy to hear it brotha. The rocker clutch is very cool, it operates the reverse of what you’re seeing here. You toe down to release the clutch and heel down to engage it. I’ve always wanted to try one but never had an opportunity
My bike is still setup for foot shift and hand clutch but I still like to keep my left foot on the peg The jokey shift setup always reminds me of my friend Frodo who got his name through the use of a jokey shift an open primary and building the shifter too short. Built everything way to short and lost his ring finger in the primary the second time he had the chopper out. And yes we called the bike Gollum after that.
Dude, This was a very well done video. Guys need to master the 3 speed. 4 speed and a 5 Speed shifter by staying calm and just practicing until they become comfortable and proficient. My 37’ ULH is a very easy bike to shift and ride if you stay calm and practice. My only problem is when I jump on my conventional 2003 Harley or on my 66’Triumph with the shifter on the right.
Thanks brotha! I agree, I get a lot of negative comments about this shifting setup from people saying it’s stupid and dangerous etc but it really isn’t any different than any other setup if you take the time to learn it. We shift a car exactly the same way by removing a hand from the wheel. Like you said just stay calm, practice and it will become second nature. Really appreciate you checking out the video and leaving a comment
I'm planning to do this with my 81 kz650 hardtail build I just did but I'm definitely not taking that front brake off so all this will be much easier for me. Emergency braking is going to be scary enough without being able to quick downshift for engine braking. No way I'm going to make that even less possible by removing the front brake.
Gotta admit. When I clicked on this video I was ready to comment “Yeah, I’ll keep my hands on my bars thanks” but im only 9:30 in and I actually think this would be sick as hell for like a project bike. Although I think I’d want a front brake anyways. Maybe have the right lever the front brake, and have a left lever hooked up to the rear. I just really like my front brakes lol
I really appreciate you sticking around beyond that initial comment. And absolutely man, I always tell people who are interested in this setup to keep their front brake. If you decide you like it and one day you want to take the brake off that's fine, but some people never do and that's fine too. It's all up to the owner and their risk level. You don't have to do both but I HIGHLY recommend trying hand shift at least once, it might change the way you ride for the rest of your life.
also if i remember correctly, didn't the original term "suicide clutch" come from LA back in the 70s? I feel like their hills and traffic might have played a role in that.
Hahah right? Anybody with an evo big twin is probably stoked it happens to be the bike in every video. If the channel grows like I hope I will eventually be able to branch into other bikes too 🤞🏼
@@greasesgarage Yep, I have a few bikes. I’ve literally use several tips on my 97 Fat Boy. That’s break plug was a win win. I also have a 98 XLH that I would love to chop. I bet if you took a pole and ask for help the community would show up for you. You literally are giving away free gems for free99. Much appreciated!
I've been riding motorcycles for almost 40 years and I've always been fascinated by the foot clutch setup, but I've never had the opportunity to try it myself. What's your opinion on having the shift lever up along the left side of the gas tank?
I think it’s a great option and gives the bike more of a vintage look. I’ve been wondering about trying that setup myself, though I imagine with the long linkage and extra pivot it might make finding neutral tougher
I had a jockey / suicide setup on a big twin flathead chopper. It still had the stock jockey top tranny. So my shifter had to be super short or it would hit the carb trying to go to third gear. I finally went to a police style jockey. Didn't have any trouble finding neutral, but those jockey tops made finding it a piece of cake anyway. Plus they had 3 neutrals.
That’s because this bike has a dry clutch, so when the clutch plates separate they chatter against each other. This would happen on any stock Harley but the oil bath the plates sit in inside the stock setup dampens that noise so you don’t hear any chatter
@@greasesgarage ohh okay. I was gonna guess that but didn’t. Every other dry clutch ive heard online made the same noise even without engaging the clutch (or at least I think) so I wasn’t sure. Sweet ride though man. Definitely interesting, maybe some day I’ll get to try something similar out
Just purchased a bike with suicide shifter. Seen some videos with first gear being pulled back like yours. Also seen opposite. How can i know which setup my bike is? Bikes being delivered in acouple days.
One way will shift it into first the other way will shift it into second 😂 In all seriousness though, it depends on whether the bike is an FX or an FL. That’s the distinction but I can’t for the life of me remember which one mine was. The bikes from the factory had different linkages so in order for them to shift with a foot the same way the direction had to be changed, I believe the parts are swappable though if it really mattered that much to you to change it over from what you end up getting. Good luck!
Because of the foot clutch and no front brake setup. Leaning to the left because your right foot is on the brake. Can’t take it off til you’re ready to go
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Its my dream to try one because it is so cool. I want to ask, can I still setup my bike with a jockey shift with a backride or is it just for solo seat? I am sorry my english is bad.
@@greasesgarage it will depend on the setup of the motorcycle right? Im planning to make a king and queen seat for it but not that crazy tall and in a rigid frame.
What's the difference between a suicide shifter and jockey shifter? Also I had a bike with the same set up it still had front breaks. It's kinda autistic not having the front breaks.
Rocker clutch is better than a spring loaded clutch. Heel/Toe clutch, I run it on my 70 FLH, although, I think Im going to go back to a hand clutch, as i dont ride this bike enough to stay in good practice. Its been fun, I run the police style hand shifter.
Incline decline stalling with kick only and no front brake HMM what should I do there is traffic behind me, and everybody is beeping their horn there is only one answer to this does anyone know?
@@greasesgarage Not sure. I'm a newbie trying to understand why so many of the jockey shifting posts delineate no front brake. . . . I'm guessing now that it is because the original machines just did not have a front brake?
I don’t think it’s the sort of thing you can attribute a purpose to. What’s the purpose of a narrower set of trees, of a hardtail, a tiny brake light or running a drum brake in this modern era? Or to put it more broadly, what is the purpose of a chopper? If I had to pick one, to describe all of those things that make choppers what they are, I’d say simplicity. Choppers are built through removal as opposed to addition. Remove what’s not necessary, keep only what is essential.
@@greasesgarage I ask because it seems that "choppers" have common features regardless of where they are built and the absents of a front brake is one of them. I thought that with such a universal feature that there was a reason for the deletion.
@@Rif_Leman cleaner aesthetic is all I can think of. The bars become like bicycle handlebars without the levers. Especially when you remove the clutch lever as well. Swapping handlebars is as easy as sliding a throttle off one set and onto the next one. Taking off the front wheel is a 30 second job and there are no wires or cables detracting from the clean look of the forks.
Dry clutch, it’s the plates chattering when the clutch is disengaged. Normally your clutch plates wouldn’t chatter because they’re in a bath of oil which dampens the sound
I personally try to never put my foot down when making a tight left. I don’t find the need. Just practice super slow riding and your bike will follow. It’s a lesson I learned years ago from a seasoned biker. Stuck with me. Jockey shifts are awesome. You feel one with the bike. It’s the way it should be. Cheers. Great video 👍
Riders who need to put their foot down in turns gotta go back to riding school IMO. It's just a shit habit for people without the proper skill to ride a bike.
What an outstanding tutorial on one of the most mystified set ups out there. I have one after riding many years the regular way. This was so well filmed, explained and put together. You're the only one out there that did something different well done sir!
You deserve it. You spend a lot of time on close up videos, script layout, b roll, editing, setting up shots, and researching data. Its really very well done work and sets you apart from the others@@greasesgarage
I have been riding bikes for over half a century and rode a '76 90" stroker for many years with a jockey shift and suicide clutch. What you describe is true in certain circumstances but not all situations are the same. I didn't see you try to ride the mountains packed up with your ol' lady on the back. Riding a bike with no mirror, no kill button, and no front brake is stupid. Life is way too short to not take safety into the equation. Indian Larry used to stand on the seat while riding hundreds of times until the one time he didn't. The scenario you describe with the bike stalling at an intersection when you lose your balance can happen but another scenario is with your hand on the throttle and your twisting the throttle as you are trying to catch your balance and if you have a big inch motor it will not stall. Loved the video and the way you ride is only for the very talented. Later.
Thank you for checking out the videos and the channel I appreciate the feedback. I do ride it packed up and with a passenger, but as always I never tell others what THEY should do as it’s a choice we all have to make for ourselves. We all have our own line 🙏🏼
@@greasesgarage Thank you for an adult response. I have a situation that I deal with every time I ride. I leave my driveway and go up to the stop sign on my dead end road where it angles to the left and is a 10% grade uphill. It is all I can do to negotiate that stop on my dresser two up with a hand clutch and front brake. What makes it even more treacherous is the highway has a lot of traffic on it and you almost have to be out in traffic to see if it's clear to pull out. What you can do in your 20's is not what you can do in your 70's. Just sayin'. Later.
I ride with my old lady all the time loaded up and haven't had a problem and a lot of panic stops. I still wouldn't go back to hand clutch but I do still have a front brake. Just my two cents keep the videos coming.
Awesome vid. I’ve only been running a jockey shift for this season. It’s fun once you learn! Thought about ditching the front brake and opting for a springer… good tips here to help with that decision!!
45 years of experience and two bouts in icu and a permanent limp i reccomend you keep front brake....especially on jockey shift really helps on steep incline starts...ya i been riding jockey since i was 17...got my joockey shift shovel sittin in garage right now...
Read all the way to the end. Watched this vid a dozen times. Probably going to watch it a dozen more. One of the best vids I've seen on any topic. Well organized, lucid narration, concise. Excellent Job! Thank you. I've been riding most of my adult life. I'm 61. I have a custom rigid bobber (look for me here on RU-vid - shameless, I know). I also have a '32 VL I just finished rebuilding. Time to ride it. Oh no! Foot clutch. Whatever will I do? And yes the mechanism that holds the clutch disengaged does weaken over time. In fact the mechanism on the VL is NOT a detent, as I've heard some misinformed people call it, it's a clutch, complete with a friction disc and pressure plate. And not a very well designed one at that. You tighten the nut to make the rocker pedal more difficult to move, or stay where you put it. Even in the disengaged position. And with aid of the helper spring (not a sissy spring, it's actually necessary to get the thing to work, well, work better). Then MAYBE the clutch will stay disengaged. The mechanism is so poorly designed I decided I'm not going to use it. I'll just ride it like a jockey shift. And so this brings me to this most excellent vid. And the reason why I am, after a lifetime of riding, converting my bobber to a jockey shift, foot clutch. If both bikes are jockey shift foot clutch. Well, I'll pick it up faster and get past this annoying, having to think about, now how am I going to stop. So suicide clutch - True story. This would NOT happen on a modern machine with a modern set up. When riding my VL I pulled into the driveway, thought I had the machine in neutral, took my foot off the brake. Thought I was coasting to a stop. BUT! For the life of me I could not figure out why the thing was still moving! And not a short distance either. In the time it took me to figure out the thing was still in gear I had plowed through three trash bins, slammed into the gutter drain of the garage and ripped the corner molding from the corner. Then I fell to the right. With the engine still running, and rear tire spinning, I finally realized what had happened. I reached up and turned it off. The old machines DID NOT have dual wire throttles that would automatically close the butterfly valve when you took your hand off the grip. They will stay open. Or in my case, the butterfly was cracked open just enough. And just a little fuel is all it takes in first gear to keep the machine moving. So given the right machine, and set up.The idea of the suicide CLUTCH is a real. But it has nothing to do with stop signs/lights and slipping one's foot off of the clutch with the throttle closed. Someone has more correctly defined it as a machine with a jockey shift, foot clutch and no front brake. And stopping on hill. The riders of the 60s and 70s would rather than have to stop on a hill, just run the light or stop sign. I don't know if there's any truth to this. But I have experiential knowledge now of the potential danger of running this set up on an old machine that was built with it from the factory. They can be dangerous in the hands of the unskilled. Imagine if I had been coming up to a stop light, intersection, or trying to make a sharp turn.
Love to read these types of well informed responses. Thank you for watching the video and I appreciate the kind words. I have no doubt you’ll pick it up quickly and enjoy many more years of trouble free riding 🙏🏼 stay safe brother
Great video man! Working on a custom foot clutch setup for my iron barrel Royal Enfield 500. Wish I had a trans like that to work with but the tips in this video are spot on. Thanks again for all you do for the community!
My first foot clutch was a Yamaha road star so I know how it goes with the whole “working with what’s there” side, it does suck when it’s not in as convenient a location. Is it at least on the correct side? I’m not too familiar with the royal enfields
Yeah I have linkage converting my shifter to the left hand side luckily. Thanks previous owner! Going to fab up a bracket for the shifter arm tonight and use the existing foot peg mounting location to mount my clutch ⛓️next is to make some floorboards! Scraping those turns!
Been running my setup for a while now and am loving it! Thanks to you I made my own videos. Too bad my go pro mount sheared off last ride trying to film my hand shifting! Damn potholes! Keep it up buddy!
This bike has the shift lever modded to become the clutch pedal. This setup is a lot easier to live with than an aftermarket suicide pedal. Ive had both. My first jockey/ suicide bike had the modified shifter. I'm glad it did.
I've ran a handshaker,ever since my Brother made me ride his panhead.....my first two motorcycles had hand clutches,and I thought jockey shift was the most irresponsible and dangerous crazy crap ever! That was 1994......about an hour later,I changed my hardtail panhead,with no front brake( cause it looks stupid on a springer) to a handshaker......Lived it ever since! Thanks dude,your videos kick total ass........~E
I love it! A full conversion. That’s so awesome man thank you for sharing this story. Now I’m trying to remember what made me try it. I think it was reading cycle source and the horse after getting my first bike and seeing them across the pages of features and wondering what that would be like. That and I loved the clean bars I saw in every bike in the mags.
The way I see it with the sudden releasing of the ratchet clutch is someone, somewhere had it happen and just panicked because they were chilling at a light or something hands completely off the bars. They didn't set the clutch friction point right or set it super high and it didn't fully release just started pulling the bike a little bit and they panic grabbed a handful of throttle. Just my 2 cents regarding the myth. Awesome video though! Maybe because an old crusty biker taught me how to ride, the whole turn your head when making a u-turn is second nature to me at this point. Dabbing a foot always feels to me like I'm going to get my foot trapped under the bike or something.
Suicidal Clutch The reason the term ‘suicide clutch’ came about is that with such a set up, one can't stop on an steep (upward) incline at a street light, stop sign or for any other reasons unless he has a buddy riding along behind who would put his front tire against his rear wheel to hold the motorcycle from rolling back. Back in the late 50s and 60s, the older boys in my neighbourhood were chopping down Harley trikes and side cars bought at police auctions. *(I remember my first summer riding with a three speed forward one reverse tranny, badass & sweet.) In those days, every custom parts we had to fabricate ourselves, all home made. When we ‘crazed out’ about raking & extending the stock springer forks (especially with girder links) and tube forks (P.F. Easy Rider), for cosmetic & stylistic reasons, the front brake assembly was removed altogether. It made for a clean looking front end and lightened the bike by few pounds. It didn’t take us too long to realize how impossible it was to stop on a steep upward hill, for a street light, a stop sign or any other reasons (few got killed for not stopping & running the red light) unless a buddy riding along behind would put his front tire against the rear wheel and hold the motorcycle from rolling back. Riding alone was potentially ‘suicidal’ hence the term ‘suicide clutch’. I agree with you, dumping the clutch intentionally or accidentally never came close to kill someone, laughable. But never was the reason or motive for the term “suicide clutch”. I’ve heard that idiotic argument (you call a ‘myth’) too many times from the younger ‘biker’ crowd. Another harmless but foolish illusion from the same age group, is to label such setting a ‘suicide shifter’. There’s nothing suicidal about a hand shifter.(see Note 1) My own ride is a custom built (2008), (Rolling Thunder) softail chopper frame, 4 speed tranny, kick starter, an S & S shovelhead (93ci) with foot clutch and jockey shift and yes front disc brakes. I just love it. But having a ‘foot clutch’ & an ‘hand shifter’, like mine doesn’t make it a ‘suicide clutch’. There is nothing suicidal about a hand shift and/or a foot clutch combination. To use the term ‘suicide clutch’ rightly, you have to have these 4 things on a bike: 1) 2 wheels (no side car or trike) 2) A ‘foot clutch’ 3) A ‘hand shift stick’ 4) *NO FRONT BRAKES* (just like yours) Hand shifting a motorcycle is not that dangerous (or difficult) and it’s ‘cool’. But without the front brakes, it could be ‘tricky’ to say the least. I rarely see anyone today riding without front brakes like you do. You are obviously very good at it, still try to avoid the “seven hills” of San Francisco if riding alone. Stay safe… ps: I lived through this and that is my story. People can say or call it ‘suicide’ clutch or shifter’ or whatever, no harm done. Just keep on riding... Note 1: There are many different types of hand shifter types in the after market world. One is called a ‘suicide shifter’. The clutch lever is on the shifter (stick). Very awkward, and dangerous in first gear at low speed. Not for everyone. Note 2: The ‘rocker foot clutch’ is something else again. Note 3: Riding a custom motorcycle without front brakes with a hand shifter/foot clutch and rigid frame may be illegal in some jurisdictions and/or against insurance policies. Note 4: The hand shift stick usually on/by the left side of the gas tank and the ‘jockey’ type shifter which is linked directly to the tranny on most HD motorcycles. It’s named or called a ‘jockey shift’ because the rider to change gears must reached behind his left leg similar to a race jockey whipping his horse.
An incredibly detailed and well put together response. Blessed to have you here watching this channel to share these stories with the younger generation. I appreciate you taking the time to pass this info on! The community needs more people like you who want to share what they know. Thank you 🙏🏼
I forgot about your backwards shifting. Never crossed my mind doing such a thing. Food for thought. Like couple more little things I learned from watching your video, appreciated. Your life will never be boring, trust me…
I got two things to say. Why does it sound like that? If they all sound like that I’m out. And another thing why would you want one a hand clutch just seems a lot more efficient lol.
I can’t say for certain that it would wear out the clutch beyond having been told that it would for as long as I’ve been riding. Particularly with the dry clutch I probably wouldn’t risk it because I could see the friction doing a number on the plates. The quick shift method has been working for me so I’ll stick with this but if you do have good luck with the clutch hold method I’d like to know about it and how long it’s been working. Maybe there is something to it
Fantastic explanation and camera work. Been driving big trucks since 1979 with twin stick transmissions so hepls me relate to this. Also grew up in the 70's when choppers were very prevalant and seeing this type of setup. Always wantef to know about it. Thanks for the video. Stay safe!!
Thanks for the kind words man! Happy to hear it came through clear and easy to understand. What a time to grow up too, an era we all look back at as the good ol' days, who would have thought back then that those factory bikes would later become some of the most coveted machines the company ever made.
@@greasesgarage Yup I agree. On my 4th harley a 22 road king. Always wanted a custom ( old school chopper) like a lot of the ones David Mann use to put in Easy Rider Magazine. However I'm 68 now so running out of time. Wish you the best on your future builds.
@TheBanjopreacher yea it hasn’t been stock on Harley’s in a very long time. Ducati does it on a few of their modern bikes though. Not that this is anything like a Ducati haha
I never used this setup and probably never will, hell I don't even have a bike rn (waiting for a full knee replacement) but this video was so good, so well explained and a pleasure to watch that I've subscribed just for this video alone. Well done bro. Ride safe y'all.
Wow I really appreciate this message man 🙏🏼thank you for giving the video a chance even in your situation I’m glad to hear it came across as clear as I had hoped 🤘🏼
Great video, i was extremely puzzled by the jockey set up and its infamous nickname, now i know is just a extremely noisy and inconvenient car-like transmission put into a bike. It is kinda risky since your taking one hand of the handle bars to shift but definitely not deserving of it's nickname
Great video! But it's not a silly myth, I just did some digging around and discovered that the term "suicide clutch" comes from San Francisco because the city has alot of hills and apparently chopper guys back then didn't wanna stop at hilly traffic lights(because they didn't have front brakes and it is cumbersome) so they would just cross through and often got hit by traffic from the crossing road
With age and health issues, I'm leaning toward a trike conversion (90s Springer) and with less left hand grip strength, I'm thinking of a jockey shift/foot clutch. Seems like a great setup given I would not need to put feet down. Thoughts? Great vid!
I think that would be the best of all worlds! No worrying about not being able to keep both feet up, no tired hands from holding a heavy clutch, more thrilling ride slamming through the gears…what’s not to love 🤘🏼
Think of it as shifting a tractor, especially if the clutch is on the shift, knob not the foot. You can also put your front brake on the left and clutch on your throttle hand, but that is a skill of its own. I habe a dirt bike i habe to drop the clutch to turn it off i habe not instaled a kil switch on it ever
It’s not the foot clutch that’s noisy it’s the dry clutch. The sound is the clutch plates chattering together when they disengage. This doesn’t make noise on a wet clutch because the oil dampens the sound.
I bought a 75 with a " tank shifter " last year offered. Still own and ride it. I have a "rocker clutch pedal ". This is completely different from this set up. My self I like people getting the two systems confused,no one, and I mean no one has tried to steal my bike. They fear the shifter. Keep the shiney side up.
Yo my man! Your videos have been alotta help! I dont think people understand how hard it is to ride suicide and no front brake! Just got my choppa done. Learning day by day! Thanks for the content
