Topic: Jockey Shift

[MartimusPrimus]

I like the idea of fabricating a jockey shift for my 77 cb750k anyone else out there try it? just wondering on some thoughts about this.

[dpen]

I had a mate many many years ago who broke his leg (pins, wires etc)

He wanted to keep riding so he cut a hole in a broomstick, stuck the gear lever through it & made a bracket that screwed onto his tank badge.

A bit rough but it's a thought to get you started.

[KB02]

I had a mate many many years ago who broke his leg (pins, wires etc)

He wanted to keep riding so he cut a hole in a broomstick, stuck the gear lever through it & made a bracket that screwed onto his tank badge.

A bit rough but it's a thought to get you started.

Sounds like something I would do.   

The sky's the limit, really. So just use your imagination (and some common sence), and you sould be able to pull it off just fine.
If you do build one, definately let us know what you did. MIght be some interesting reading. Also check out http://www.hondachopper.com. they might have some good ideas here, too, for what you are looking to do.

[VitaminCB550]

I had a mate many many years ago who broke his leg (pins, wires etc)

He wanted to keep riding so he cut a hole in a broomstick, stuck the gear lever through it & made a bracket that screwed onto his tank badge.

A bit rough but it's a thought to get you started.

How does that work with the clutch and all? 

[ProTeal55]

I have rode a few bikes with jockey shifts,and even some with "suicide" shifts.
It is not my cup of tea, as it adds even more "things" to do, while trying to not get killed in traffic.

The most difficult bike I ever rode ws a Exile barhopper, that had a twist grip clutch on the bars, and a suicide shift on the right side of the bike.

It was intresting to say the least.
More power to ya if you can get it to work, safely....

I had a mate many many years ago who broke his leg (pins, wires etc)

He wanted to keep riding so he cut a hole in a broomstick, stuck the gear lever through it & made a bracket that screwed onto his tank badge.

A bit rough but it's a thought to get you started.

How does that work with the clutch and all?

Basically the "jockey" shift is just a handle that does the same thing as your left foot would do. Most "jockey" setups include the clutch being moved from the bars to the foot, so you can push in the clutch (like on a car) , then reach behind ya and shift the bike.

[ProTeal55]

My buddies Triumph bobber is running a standard hand clutch , with a suicide shift on the right of the bike.

[Geeto67]

I took the stock gear lever to a welder friend of mine for my 550 chop. He cut off the lever part and welded an old hurst stick out of my buddys 67 firebird  to it. I have a set of old triumph forward controls (similar to what bcs sells) that I am setting up for cable clutch. However I might just stick the clutch lever on the stick itself and call it a day.

[Tim.]

I'd imagine you'd want some linkage in place to limit the torque applied by the jockey shifter to the shift spindle.  I'd imagine just bolting on a long shift handle to the spindle could result in significantly increased leverage on the shifter and could damage things.

But then again, I stomp on my shifter sometimes and haven't done any noticable damage 

[bill440cars]

                     I'm just trying to figure this out. I know what a "suicide" clutch is but, the "suicide" shift
         is a new one to me. The clutch pedal was set up so that your foot had to depress it to operate
        the clutch and if your foot slipped off,while the bike was in gear, You Had A Real Problem! Now
        what makes a shifter a "suicide" shifter? Later on, Bill

[tsflstb]

All this suicide talk is depressing me.

[ProTeal55]

 

[dusterdude]

 I'm just trying to figure this out. I know what a "suicide" clutch is but, the "suicide" shift
 is a new one to me. The clutch pedal was set up so that your foot had to depress it to operate
 the clutch and if your foot slipped off,while the bike was in gear, You Had A Real Problem! Now
 what makes a shifter a "suicide" shifter? Later on, Bill

bill,same thing,foot clutch,hand shift

[Tim.]

I think it has to do with taking your hand off the grip to make the shift.  If it were me, I'd go with the ones with a lever on the shifter handle - clutch and shift with the one hand.  A lot easier to put together too, seeing as it would just be a standard clutch cable.

Of course, I can't see one on a CB anyhow.  These things belong on 50 year old bikes.

[MartimusPrimus]

well if I do it the clutch willl be on the shifter

[Noel]

Once saw a fellow on an ancient -- and very cool -- old Harley come to a stop at a light near the top of a steep hill (facing upwards). Spool front hub (no front brake), foot activated clutch, and jockey shifter. He was obviously having quite a bit of trouble getting going after the light changed. I had to drive away so as to avoid holding up traffic, but I very much would like to have found out how he ended up. Had to get off and push the bike over the top of the hill, I'd imagine.

I'll admit I think the set-up is neat, but I also think it's a good idea to ask one's self if it's really liveable. Maybe if I had a spare bike just for bar hopping...

[ProTeal55]

Once saw a fellow on an ancient -- and very cool -- old Harley come to a stop at a light near the top of a steep hill (facing upwards). Spool front hub (no front brake), foot activated clutch, and jockey shifter. He was obviously having quite a bit of trouble getting going after the light changed. I had to drive away so as to avoid holding up traffic, but I very much would like to have found out how he ended up. Had to get off and push the bike over the top of the hill, I'd imagine.

Russell Mitchel of Exile Chopper fame came up to a solution to this issue.
Basicall a line-lock off a racecar applicaiton. With the press of a button, the lock holds the rear brake, so you dont roll back. Then when you want to leave the intersection, just hit the button and you grab the clutch and off you go..

This ofcourse only works with a disc brake applicaiton, not a drum.....

[bill440cars]

I'm just trying to figure this out. I know what a "suicide" clutch is but, the "suicide" shift
 is a new one to me. The clutch pedal was set up so that your foot had to depress it to operate
 the clutch and if your foot slipped off,while the bike was in gear, You Had A Real Problem! Now
 what makes a shifter a "suicide" shifter? Later on, Bill

bill,same thing,foot clutch,hand shift

              duster, how did the foot clutch operate on the old Harley's? On the Indian's (for example , the Chief), the usual set up had a foot pedal that had 2 flat protrusions that allowed you to "rock" the pedal forward and backward to operate the clutch. This pedal had some drag to it to allow the foot to be raised completely off of the pedal and not release the clutch. Both types had a shift on the side of the gas tank. I just thought it was a little peculiar to hear the shift, itself, referred to a "suicide" type.
             Been around motorcycles in one way or another for over 50yrs (Ugh Oh, got a feeling duster's gonna have a comment about that one. Be gentle duster.) and It's the 1st time I've heard that. Just wondered why it was referred to like that.                            Later on,  Bill

[7t1burb]

Having modified the original gear shift lever (cut and re-bent), I've welded an INDY 500 truck floor shift lever (about 18" high) on to the remaining stub of the lever.  I've taken a piece of 7/8 handlebar (about 3") and slipped it over the shift lever (which is flat) and welded that onto the shift lever (needed to securely clamp on the clutch lever assembly).  Now currently measuring the distance needed to make a "new" extended clutch cable that will be activated by the clutch lever assy.  Looks really different and it's been years since I operated a suicide shifter....so time will tell.  Should be loads of fun on the current CB500 Cafe Racer "project".  I'm giving further thought to a "ratchet-type" shifter (as mentioned in a post above) as I'm wondering if (because of the extended shifter length and weight) it will jump gears due to the weight/length of the shifter extension....am going to try as described above to figure out if I need a "ratchet mechanism" or not.  Much trail and error.....

[ProTeal55]

How about some pics of your handywork

[7t1burb]

EXcuse the delay in responding...just back in town.  I'd be glad to send someone pics if they could post them to this site...have no been able to master "pic posting"....
Thanks

[Tim.]

email them to taysan@hotmail.com and I'll post.

[calired67]

i have seen some with the clutch handle as part of the jockey  mounted on the lever itself Just thought I would toss that idea out there. That way you just reach down pull in the lever and shift

[ProTeal55]

That is prob. the most "user friendly" way to rig it up.
That way , you are kinda killing 2 birds with 1 stone , so to speak.
That can easily be done with using a automotive type "ratchet" shifter...

[dpen]

If you want "difficult" try an old Indian Chief.

Hand shift, foot clutch, advance/retard on the right twist grip & throttle on the left.

A good way to stuff up young smartasses in the workshop used to be to put them in an early Diamond Reo truck.

Accelerator on the middle pedal & brake on the right.

[Cvillechopper]

If you can blow up my bio pic you'll see my atempt to make a jockey #$%*.  I found it easier to put the clutch lever on the jockey stick and it made for a real interesting ride.  Especially when you take into account it was my first time out on this bike (rides much different than stock) and I hadn't gotten everything tuned right yet.  I went back to the standard set-up and just built forward controls.  Not worth taking a spill for the cool look.
James