On 29 Dec 2005, Dave Giles wrote:

> You do know why they called these things suicide shifters?  It's
> because when you're sitting at a traffic light or a parking lot exit
> (or wherever), you can only steady the bike with your right foot.

There have been other options tho.

In addition to what CJ said about another variation, there were also foot
clutches know as rockers.  These had a spring loaded heel-toe pedal that,
when 'rocked' over center kept themselves disengaged until until you rocked
them back.

Their operation acted much like the handlebar clutch assists (see also
mousetraps) but would hold disengagement rather than merely lessen the
hold in effort.

You can still buy the rocker clutches for some BT mountings and I'd think an
enterprising Sportster pilot could adapt them over.

Plug in pg 246 here to see a few offerings:
http://tinyurl.com/7lska

> But never once in 35 years of riding, have I
> ever thought my skills were good enough to properly control a bike
> with a suicide shift.

Amen to that.

> Dave Giles
> San Diego, CA

--
Garth
So. OK
xl, fx, fl