ZX7-R shift light?

[Quarkz]

My friend is a mechanical engineer and reckons that you don't need to the clutch to change up gears, they are built to withstand it, wtf? Then what the hell is it there for . You would be doing your gearbox one hell of a favour by using your clutch. Im not a motorcycle mechanical expert or anything but I still swear by using my clutch to change up gears. It would be like changing gears in your manual transmission car without using a clutch.

[mattyv74]

don't need to the clutch to change up gears, they are built to withstand it, wtf?........ Then what the hell is it there for ........ It would be like changing gears in your manual transmission car without using a clutch.

Definately designed to do it on bikes. Totally different arrangement to a conventional car gearbox

You need the clutch to get of the line and to get really smoooth down changes heading into a corner.

Any car will do clutchless changes once the oil is warmed up and if your timing is good enough. It's very hard on the linkages though. Don't practice on your own.

[MickLC]

Yeah I can vouch for being able to do it in a car. Had a broken clutch cable on the old escort about 10 minutes from home with two sets of traffic lights in-between...and of course I had to stop at both

I was glad I knew how to double-declutch 'cause it meant I was used to matching speeds...the fun bit was starting up again from the lights in first using the starter motor to get moving

[Timbo ZZR250]

Can also vouch for being able to do it in a car...had air in the hydraulic fluid in my corolla, and had to drive it about 20 minutes to get it home....stall engine stopping at traffic lights, put it in gear while waiting for green, when i got the green, turn the key with the clutch out and away i went...

not hightly recommended for long term use/abuse though.....my next car (pulsar) didn't take to kindly to it and the gearbox died after a short while of doing clutchless changes...$700 for a second hand gearbox and a day or so off the road...

After this experience, i'll only do clutchless changes if i really have to (in any vehicle)

[aardvark]

I use my clutch all the time. Except, when I want to be changing quickly up thru the gears. Wind the throttle open, a little upwards pressure on the gear lever, wind the throttle off a fraction, gearbox will slip up into the next gear and straight back on the throttle...

Mind you, my gearbox has been undercut and modfied for racing.

[Nanna10r]

I Rarely use Clutch when UP shifting once the bike is Moving, & motor cycle gears have "straight cut" teeth the same as most modified Race Cars such as the V8 supercars (Getrag) etc. Wont hurt anything an in fact makes a for much cleaner/quicker shift.
Cheers Brett

[mrmina]

i've changed gears in my lil corolla (when i had it) with no clutch cos it was fooked until it died on me.

[spekt-r]

I use my clutch to change up, I find it much more accurate, I know I can change within a millisecond of when I need to that way not when the gearbox bloody feels like it. I dont clutch in all the way though I only just kind of touch it with a couple of fingers lightly while maintaining pressure on the shifter. I only shift in this fashion when im deliberatley trying to get every last pony out of my bike though.
I like the idea of the quickshifter, i like it a lot, ill definately look into one when my rebuild is complete.

[Neka79]

clutches..there over rated...i only use mine for taking off, wheelies,and lower gear changes...(2nd to 1st/1st to 2nd)...if im doin a wheelie i dont use clutch to change gears...u learn quickly to match ur revs...
i use to have a bluebird (tuff old bugger) and i hardly use to use a clutch..use to impress my freinds too...tho on dads commy i had to double clutch it home 1st,2nd,5th as i blew 3rd and 4th doin burnouts & trying to clutchless..god knows how i didnt fry 1 & 2??
as for a gear indicator..jus do wot i do..keep clicking up til it wont go ne more..then try again...
its already got a tacho..dont need a shift indicator (when the power starts to die, change gear)..then again, when ur riding a 142hp 929cc beast, u rarely need the full power, and even at mallala, i wasnt game to try it (no insurance)....
neka