Triumph slick shift

[Vipers]

Just watching the bike racing on telly, and was telling my pal I had a Triumph 650cc in the late 60's with a thingy called I think a "Slick Shift", you could change gear without using the clutch.

Is my memory correct, and did it catch on? if so do modern bikes have this, or do all gear changes need to use the clutch.

Tks guys.





P.S. Probably wrong forum I know.

[Maruchino]

Not sure about your Triumph specific point, but most bikes can change gears without using the clutch as long as the engine speed is correct.

[Vipers]

Maruchino said:

Not sure about your Triumph specific point, but most bikes can change gears without using the clutch as long as the engine speed is correct.

That obviously works, but I seem to recall in the realms of my little grey cells, as you moved the gear lever, some kind of rod actually disengaged the clutch plats.

[sjtscott]

Vipers said:

Just watching the bike racing on telly, and was telling my pal I had a Triumph 650cc in the late 60's with a thingy called I think a "Slick Shift", you could change gear without using the clutch.

Is my memory correct, and did it catch on? if so do modern bikes have this, or do all gear changes need to use the clutch.

Tks guys.





P.S. Probably wrong forum I know.

All real bikes have manual gears and a clutch lever still. You can change up the box clutchless if you wish by momentarily closing the throttle a little while applying upwards pressure to the gear lever. Full throttle upshifts can be achieved clutchless with a quickshifter that cuts the ignition for the required time but these are generally aftermarket and really needed for racing.

[stoge]

Yeah, it was fitted to the pre-unit Thunderbird 650.
as you moved the gear lever, a cam pushed the clutch rod in. You could actually ride with no clutch cable ... but no 'feel' good Idea, made the clutch action lighter, helped the squeeze.

[Vipers]

stoge said:

Yeah, it was fitted to the pre-unit Thunderbird 650.
as you moved the gear lever, a cam pushed the clutch rod in. You could actually ride with no clutch cable ... but no 'feel' good Idea, made the clutch action lighter, helped the squeeze.

Yup! that sounds like it, my one was pre unit, think it cost me 40 quid, had it a year, and sold it on for 40 quid.

Edited by Vipers on Sunday 23 May 17:00