Clutchless shifting?

[awa355]

GP bikes have clutches, they're required for down shift on the brakes.

The gearbox on your cruiser is just as strong as a lot of sports bikes. But it's a low revving twin, so it'll seem quite abrupt if you shift without the clutch, for no real gain.

I thought the motogp clutch may have been just for getting off the mark. the heel toe shifter on the cruiser certainly is not made for racing type changes.

[ducatilover]

Get a buggered one spark eroded, guy here in Wellington only charged me $150 to match my second gear dog and cog. Replacing it with OE new ones is just waiting for it to happen again.

I have a spare gear set, so I'm not overly worried. Never heard of spark erosion though, cheers man.

[Drew]

I have a spare gear set, so I'm not overly worried. Never heard of spark erosion though, cheers man.

I'd heard of it, but never given any thought to what it is or why it would be done, untill I was looking at $600 to replace two cogs in my gear box with brand new ones. Bloody gixxer motors being as strong as they are, it's hard to get a 6 speed out of a water cooled GSX-R750 when wreckers don't have rogered motors at all.

[MSTRS:Me]

Bloody gixxer motors being as strong as they are, it's hard to get a 6 speed out of a water cooled GSX-R750 when wreckers don't have rogered motors at all.

Don't they all end up in TQs?
Bit like the old 1100 SACS being snapped up by the speedway sidecars.

[Drew]

Don't they all end up in TQs?
Bit like the old 1100 SACS being snapped up by the speedway sidecars.

Those guys go for the 1100 motors and boxes, they only use two gears so the five speed will usually suffice.

They use oil cooled motors aswell, since they are easier and cheaper to get big power from with roller rockers instead of buckets and shims.

[sugilite:Me]

I got all excited when I mis-read the title as crotchless sifting, damn

[SMOKEU]

I got all excited when I mis-read the title as crotchless sifting, damn

Wishful thinking?

[sugilite:Me]

Oh , definitely wishful thinking!
This kind of thread has been done to death on KB, right up there with blipping. Short version, done correctly, up shifting without using the clutch won't kill your gear box, with the wear being so negligible, it's hardly worth discussing.

[SMOKEU]

This kind of thread has been done to death on KB, right up there with blipping. Short version, done correctly, up shifting without using the clutch won't kill your gear box, with the wear being so negligible, it's hardly worth discussing.

I've seen this exact discussion mentioned on other forums as well and everyone seems to have a different opinion on the subject.

[Drew]

I've seen this exact discussion mentioned on other forums as well and everyone seems to have a different opinion on the subject.

That's sorta the point isn't it? Get a bunch of opinions and make an informed discision.

Opinions vary with mechanical knowledge for the most part I think.

[sugilite:Me]

yep, opinions are like arseholes, every one has one
So when it comes to cases like this subject, I just go with what feels right and personal experience. Mine is I do it, it feels smoother. I've raced and ridden all sorts, from the latest and greatest, to old shitters on their last legs, and are yet to damage a gearbox doing it.

[SMOKEU]

That's sorta the point isn't it? Get a bunch of opinions and make an informed discision.

Opinions vary with mechanical knowledge for the most part I think.

There are so many wildly different answers from people with little, if any experience working with gearboxes and with no general consensus to either prove or disprove the question the OP was asking, I have to make that decision based on here-say and speculation.

[Drew]

There are so many wildly different answers from people with little, if any experience working with gearboxes and with no general consensus to either prove or disprove the question the OP was asking, I have to make that decision based on here-say and speculation.

Or just give it a go and hope. There really is no extra damage being done to a gear box, by not using the clutch. Provided your not bending selector forks with the amount of pressure you're putting on the lever.

Touching the clutch makes no difference to the gear shafts speed differential, so there's an initial 'hit' anyway. If the throttle is off the dog/cogs can match speeds just as nicely.

[javawocky]

This guy makes some sense to me. Might help with a few facts about the gear box... http://www.abbiss.co.nz/index.php?op...ning&Itemid=55

Personally, on the track, clutchless is way way smoother, quicker and keeps the bike more stable as its over before the back shock knows about it.

On the road, hardly ever unless I am moving a long pretty fast, but I am a good boy so that doesn't happen often on the road