Clutchless Shifting

. . . But with a broken clutch cable, I could pull the clutch LEVER and set-off in first, and the relay would think the clutch was pulled. This actually is a "go", but I chose not to load the starter chain and guides.
I had no trouble negotiating five o-clock traffic, but I was prepared to leave the road, ride in grass, or shut down safely at any point.
I had absolutely no trouble handling the bike without a clutch.

 

I only use the clutch for starts and stops, really. Due to the nature of my bike, I usually start in second gear anyway. Upshifting and downshifting I do clutchless, unless I'm gonna go from 5th all the way down to 2nd in a short distance. But if you see my shifter, you'll see why I shift clutchless. Once you get used to it, you can get much smoother shifts than you ever could with a clutch shift.

 

Last fall the clutch cable on my XS400 broke several miles (10) away from home and work, where I was heading. Spent 15 minutes making a few useless phone calls and wondering what to do next. Then out of desparation I decided to start the engine, duck walk the bike to as much speed I could manage, hit first gear and try to bring her in on first gear.

I managed to do that even though it clanked a bit when hitting first gear. Instinctively I tried getting into second gear when the engine rpm seemed right. To my surprise it went into second very smoothly - easier than with the clutch even. Boy I was happy. Still on instinct, I could downshift with no problem at all either - with a play of the throttle always. I would slow on stop signs and stop completely on reds I could not time correctly. I was trying to avoid clanking her into first gear as much as I could. Getting her into neutral was not a big problem for me, just the first gear.

So I got home ok, bought a new cable, oiled it and it was ok. No damage discernable (chain, spokes).

Otherwise I use the clutch, but since reading this, I'll test it again upshifting from 2nd gear. Very useful to know you can do that to get out of trouble, at least!

Nice thread...

 

Ah yes, very clever. Did't have my brain fully engaged (speaking of clutching).

So, did you ever find yourself grabbing the useless clutch lever out of habit?

 

Tried it today. This is the way it works on my XS400 is I have to tuck the shift lever up with very little pressure - practically none - and wait for the rpm to hit just the right numbers and the gear engages. It does so on relatively low rpms.

Didn't do downshifting, just up from second.

I'll stick with the clutch unless I don't have it anymore. It's very useful to know you can get out of trouble this way.

 

I use the clutch virtually all of the time except for the rare need for a hasty entrance into a busy road, or to get out of the way of an on-coming idiot. I figure the clutch is there for a reason.........use it. But since you CAN shift w/o it in an emergency, I'll shift w/o it in an emergency.

Dave Fox

 

I got out yesterday and gave it a try. Not too difficult to get the hang of when shifting around 3500-4000 rpm and down around 2000 on the downshifts but a little error makes a pretty noticeable "clunk".
I'm with the old heads here (Red-liners & Wizards). I may use it as an option now and then and it's nice to know it will work if I ever need it but it won't become my normal routine.

 

I too was out this weekend and a gave it some practice. I found that if I let the revs get to 5k before the shift it was prefectly smooth no noise at all except for the dropping revs.

I tried doing some clutchless downshifts but I couldn't get it just right (some slap though not too much) so I was wondering what the correct downshift procedure is.

(I think people have only posted how to upshift here though I may have missed a discription of how to downshift properly)

 

I find that putting a little pressure on the shifter, then giving the throttle a little blip will get the gears in line for an easy shift.

 

If you're already engine braking, just blip the throttle as you push the shifter down. If you're cruising and want to take it down a gear for a hill or something, let off the throttle as you push down the shifter. The second circumstance is the hardest clutchless shift to master.

 

Shifting without a clutch is fine on motorbikes if done properly!
Since it is a dog engagement constant mesh gearbox there is no real need to synchronise (except for premature dog wear).

I've read that some people tend to put a little tension on the gear lever before rolling off the throttle prior to an upshift. That is a good way to mess up the shifting forks! Downshifts are done easily too while blipping the throttle and simultaniously pushing down the gear lever. Practise makes perfect!

It definately has nothing in common with a stick shift car gearbox, as stated a synchronised gearbox. (Which relies on brass rings which tend to speed up or slow down the gear which is going to be selected, depending on up or downshift.)

I usually use the clutch though unless I feel naugty .

grz Thijs

 

I was gonna bring that up, but I hoped people would get that from my description of how to do it. Just like trying to "flat" shift it without letting off the throttle can really put a hurting on the dog rings, if you're even successful at making the shift at all.

 

I used to always use the clutch, but during hard acceleration I was missing the gears. Then other riders told me they never do. I've been learning how to not use the clutch, but I want to keep the gears in good shape. :?:
Bill