Police style hand-shift parts

[jstraker]

Hey, folks. I am interested in experimenting with one of these police-style hand shifts with the bracket that clamps to the frame. Anyone have one or parts of one that they would be willing to sell? Thanks very much. I cross-posted this on the Hydra-Glide forum as well. Justin

[T. Cotten]

Hey, folks. I am interested in experimenting with one of these police-style hand shifts with the bracket that clamps to the frame. Anyone have one or parts of one that they would be willing to sell? Thanks very much. I cross-posted this on the Hydra-Glide forum as well. Justin

I'm not near a catalog, Justin,

(it would be out-dated anyway,)

But Tedd V-Twin offered the whole assembly in a bubble-pack.

I've never handled one, but good luck.

....Cotten

[jstraker]

Thanks, Tom, I saw that. W&W in Germany also has reproductions, probably not V-Twin. I am looking for oem if I can find it. But I appreciate the tip. Cheers!

[Architect]

I believe there are two version. One has a "gate" on the frame mount shifting like an earlier bike. Later version are gate-less and operate ratchet style. If you go for the gate, the transmission lid needs to be changed to eliminate the ratchet mechanism.

They show up on the Bay, sometimes just parts sometimes the entire assembly. Get some part number and start the search, good luck.

[jstraker]

Thanks, Architect! Yup, I have some of the part numbers, and see some examples on ebay. And roger that on transmission tops and ratchet versus pre-ratchet or whatever I should call that. Anyway, thanks for your help!

[chuckthebeatertruck]

The kits from W&W are vtwin unless something has changed recently.

Ive ridden oem tank, police gated, and custom on a ratchet top.

The police system SUCKS on a ratchet top. Period. The lever is already in a crap position, and then you’re shoving it through a big arc at the front. It just isn’t fun nor as nice as a gated, hand shift top.

if you have a ratchet and want to hand shift, just add a lever. It’s faster and more ergonomic to drop your hand to your butt and flick the lever.

don’t forget you may need to do work on your clutch to operate as it should with a rocker clutch pedal.

and if you have to add a hand shift top, avoid tedd. You really want oem if you’re going hand shift.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

BTW, note that the add on police system was widely hated by moto officers, at least the ones who have shared story with me (I adore police bikes and have owned many, including my ex-Indiana state police guzzi)

They were “tolerated” but not favored.

The conversion existed because of how departments trained officers, not because they were good.

[jstraker]

Thanks, Chuck--I appreciate your feedback/input. I already have a jockey/hand shift on this bike directly on the ratchet top, and it works well for me. I do really like how well it lets me feel what's going on in the transmission. So maybe I'll just stick with it. Or think about putting my actual hand shift tanks on and a non-ratchet lid, but then I would be using the regular tank shift parts. Also...thanks for the input about W&W being V Twin parts. Cheers!

[T. Cotten]

Since I only rode friendly tank-shifts, Folks,

I really really must ask if it isn't a panic finding neutral with a ratchet in an emergency stop.

Thanks in advance,

....Cotten

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Since I only rode friendly tank-shifts, Folks,

I really really must ask if it isn't a panic finding neutral with a ratchet in an emergency stop.

Thanks in advance,

....Cotten

No more so than on a foot shift bike.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Thanks, Chuck--I appreciate your feedback/input. I already have a jockey/hand shift on this bike directly on the ratchet top, and it works well for me. I do really like how well it lets me feel what's going on in the transmission. So maybe I'll just stick with it. Or think about putting my actual hand shift tanks on and a non-ratchet lid, but then I would be using the regular tank shift parts. Also...thanks for the input about W&W being V Twin parts. Cheers!

If you have a jockey, not a rocker, then you probably really won’t like the forward shifting action on a ratchet. It’s simply the most difficult combo because you’re moving so much on the left side while controlling the pedal. It’s a breeze by comparison on a rocker.

I had similar thoughts, but luckily got to ride a couple different setups.

[T. Cotten]

No more so than on a foot shift bike.

But at least you've got both hands on the bars, Chuck!

With a normal tankshift, you can just slap it between gears.

....Cotten

[jstraker]

If you have a jockey, not a rocker, then you probably really won’t like the forward shifting action on a ratchet. It’s simply the most difficult combo because you’re moving so much on the left side while controlling the pedal. It’s a breeze by comparison on a rocker.

This is just a language problem on my side. I am using a rocker clutch, and a shift lever directly on the ratchet top, so I called that a jockey shift. I do not have a "suicide clutch". This setup works well for me. I was thinking about playing around with the frame-mounted shifter that would put the shift lever alongside the tank, but I think this thread has made me think that that is probably just a waste of money and effort. But thanks again to everyone who responded with your thoughts and experience!

[T. Cotten]

This is just a language problem on my side. I am using a rocker clutch, and a shift lever directly on the ratchet top, so I called that a jockey shift. I do not have a "suicide clutch". This setup works well for me. I was thinking about playing around with the frame-mounted shifter that would put the shift lever alongside the tank, but I think this thread has made me think that that is probably just a waste of money and effort. But thanks again to everyone who responded with your thoughts and experience!

Your terms are the ones I learned, Justin!

Although I must add that "suicide clutch" meant not only a step pedal worked efficiently only by the clutch itself, but also applied to any tired rocker where the rider trusted it to hold itself disengaged, but didn't.

Usually at a stop with cross traffic.

....Cotten
PS:
I do not believe the term "suicide clutch" came into being until somebody had something else to promote.

[joe fxs fxr]

I was under the impression that a 'suicide clutch' was when you converted a foot shifter to work the clutch. No friction or overcenter, just your foot holding the clutch in.