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View Full Version : Suicide Clutch


cheetah
12-25-2002, 10:16 PM
Anyone else ever heard of these on motorcycles. My papaw used to have one a while back, but I have never seen one. If anyone has a pic post it. I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, that the clutch is a pedal near the footpeg and then it has like a stick on the gas tank or something and you have to take your hand of the bars and shift. I'm not sure if that's how it works or not someone enlighten me I'm trying to piece together his stories.:D
nakomis0
12-26-2002, 12:04 AM
I think you have the right idea.

Its a long shifter welded to the foot shifter.

So you have to pull the clutch with 1 hand, and shift with the other.
VooDuu Child
12-26-2002, 01:20 AM
Yes, I believe it's called a suicide shifter. Check around online for Jessie James cycles. He's built a few with shifters like that.
jerry-89-250R
12-26-2002, 07:58 AM
some OLD harleys had them, and jesse james uses them on some of his bikes, it's not as bad as it sounds
CBus660R
12-26-2002, 08:04 AM
I've heard it called a "jockey shift" setup. In Motorcycle Mania 2, the 2nd Discovery Channel show about Jesse James, his show bike for Sturgis '01 had a setup like that. The old Harleys and Indians all came like this. The clutch is a foot pedal rather than a hand lever like we are used to nowadays and the shift lever was hand operated.
Ride400
12-26-2002, 08:31 AM
i wanna ride one with that setup, it looks fun.
cheetah
12-26-2002, 10:23 PM
Yeah I believe it was on his old Harley. I was just wondering if anyone had a bike with one of these if they had a picture to share. Someone post a pic if you can find one.
Nausty
12-26-2002, 10:25 PM
I think the old indians had suicide shifters
12-26-2002, 10:27 PM
suicide clutch makes a car very jumpy thats all i know
HiperEX
12-26-2002, 10:42 PM
yes old harleys have them my uncles 79 has one its not as bad as u think it would be its a nice bike and all i love it
joeroadking
12-27-2002, 06:35 AM
they where available on harley police bikes until the early 70s basiclly a foot clutch tank shift, really simple actually
jc_powerpipes07
01-01-2003, 05:21 PM
you've never seen a suicide shifter? ha ha cheetah you make me laugh.
01-01-2003, 05:56 PM
my neighbour is a mechanic for a harly shop, he has a 2000cc blah blah harley, its got a suicide shifter but i wouldnt want one, everytime he shifts he leans a little over and the bottom hits the ground :eek: sure is fast