air shifter

i saw this bike on cl
how does an air shifter work?

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/5144759626.html

 

Runs off compressed air, push a button and it changes gear, some have onboard compressors and others just fill a tank http://www.pingelonline.com/prodcat/air-shifters.asp

 

Soooo.... After pulling the airbox (presumably to save weight..... Which is minimal to begin with), a compressor, hose, piston, mounts, etc..... We're added for what-- to shift faster? Why not just learn to "power shift", or just get really good with your toe? Thumb moves or toe moves, still one motion.....

 

because they couldn't get the pods on with the airbox there. or they can't get their foot to the shifter fast enough to get second, might have something to do with "female owned". no offence to the ladies. maybe they had it laying around and it was cool. a lot of drag bikes use then so there must be something to it

 

a l l that cash to get a 12.53 1/4 mile. from the factory the 1/4 mile is listed Seca 13.4 sec.
a second sorce quote
The Seca 550 punched above its weight on the strip, too. Period tests achieved standing quarter-mile times below 13 seconds and a top speed of 110mph.

 

Some (most now?) air shifters can be set up so they shift when the engine hits a set RPM (the ignition is cut for the shift). The point is to get a little more consistency from run to run. Speed shifting manually won't be as consistent, and that 0.001 second saved per shift adds up by the end of the run. It's one of those things that can keep a good racer from being able to move up to where the money is without running one. They are also really helpful if you have a bad leg and can't shift without one.

That would be a inexpensive path into bracket racing for someone.

 

does not want to scuff the toes of her stiletto heals while out for a night on the town.

 

i guess its the little things that add up to a lot, like the pipe wrap adds alittle more hp