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Suicide shifter

  • Thread starter Thread starter Splittie
  • Start date Start date
S

Splittie

Guest
I think this is the right spot to post this question...
I am curious to see if anyone has a gs that they have a suicide shifter on.
Or if anyone can direct me to the proper way of installing and operating one.
Thanks for any help.
 
Suicide shifters are called what they are called for a reason. They belong on neatly restored old vintage bikes like Harley Davidson WLA's.

42wla31854%5B1%5D.jpg


On a 'modern' fast bike you'd have to be mad. You may as well just go and lay in front of a semi now.
 
Just to put a finer point on this. The bike pictured has a tank shifter. Suicide shifters were more generally considered to be the ones attached directly to the transmission and the guy had to reach down under his butt to to shift. So, are you talking about installing a "tank" shifter, or a "suicide" shifter? Two completely different looks and I would say two completely different methods. I don't think there is a proper way to install one on a GS. I think any brand of bubble gum and bailing wire that you prefer should be acceptable.
 
it can be done, check out "thechopperunderground.com". Personaly I don't feel this looks right on our bikes, but it's your bike. The clutch cable would be the only part that would take much thought. The actual shifter would be welding whatever shape you like to the box end of your shift lever. Post pics if you go ahead with this. We do love pics!
 
2711075566_e85bc7e8ff.jpg


In Australia any shifter that requires you to remove one hand from the handlebars (such as this one) is called a suicide shifter.
 
Zooks said:
In Australia any shifter that requires you to remove one hand from the handlebars (such as this one) is called a suicide shifter.
Click to expand...

In spite of what I said, I personally agree with your definition. I've met many chopper purists who dispute the differences. Either way it is pretty dumb and "suicidal" in my book to take your hands off of the bars top shift.

That said, I think the difference is important in terms of what the OP is trying to accomplish. I would say that mounting a shifter gate and linkage to a gas tank versus just welding on some brackets somewhere on the frame requires a completely different level of skill. Chopperunderground is definitely the place to seek that knowledge out. Don't limit your search to the GS and you'll probably find what you are looking for. In concept, it should be the same for any Japanese bike. Search Chopper Underground for "Jockey Shift". Here are a coupleof pictures that I lifted from there. As you see. You can get as ridiculous as you want to with this.

Jockey1.jpg


Jockey2.jpg


Jockey3.jpg


Jockey5.jpg
 
Last edited:
Zooks said:
In Australia any shifter that requires you to remove one hand from the handlebars (such as this one) is called a suicide shifter.
Click to expand...
They're known around here as the same thing.
or at least they were when I was growing up.

that WWII HD, looks just like the one my uncle had around '69-70.
it does bring back memories!
 
Thanks for the input guys, I have been looking at a few different directions to go with this bike and I think its gonna get bobbed .
I had posted up previously wanting info on doing a cafe job on it but it looks like I would be better off doing a bobber.
I kinda expected some negativity about the suicide shifter, but since the bike is an 'L' model, I'm already used to the negativity!:D
I am looking at starting into this project this weekend and plan on posting up pics here since it is a GS.
See ya soon
 
Splittie said:
So I take it you're a navy boy?
Click to expand...

Used to fly parts, mail, coffeepots, etc. for a few of the squadrons from Lemoore when they went to Nellis or someplace to shoot down air force punks for a few weeks.
Flying into your kneewalking fog was fun.

Prior to that, was in the Navy, but never heard of Lemoore.
 
Nobody's talking about the left foot clutch pedal you'd have to rig up.:-k

Like the nice rusty one with the chain in the pic.:)
 
Splittie, it wasn't meant to be 'negativity'. It was meant to be negative though. You asked for advice and the advice of many experienced bike enthusiasts was "don't do it". Changing gears with your hand is not something you want to be doing at anything other than moderate crusing speed (re: slow).

I personally like Bobbers (bobbers, not choppers), we'll be very happy to see the pics and see what you can create.

Good luck, keep us posted. :)
 
tkent02 said:
Flying into your kneewalking fog was fun.
Click to expand...
OH yes....THE FOG, thats probably the one thing the Central Valley is most infamous for!!!
About the only thing that keeps me from riding.:(
Lemoore has changed a bit over the years, but it's still a farm town....With a Starbucks though!?!?!?
See ya!
 
I thought this was a interesting thread. I like the look of the suicide shifter either tank shifter style or just a free standing lever. I dont think I would put one on my bike but I still think they look cool as hell. Here is a link to a guy that has one on a street fighter wanna talk about ballsy.
Scroll down about half way thru the page. He put the clutch lever on the shifter. SWEET.
http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15640&page=3
 
sui on a fighter! And I thought I was retarded! What happens when you need To shift and the front is still in the air.
 
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