AMERICAN IRONHORSE Classic SX, User Manual

Page: 25 / 104

C L U T C H A N D G E A R S H I F T I N G O P E R AT I O N
25
2-5
OPERA
TION: FEA
TURES, CONTROLS & INDICA
TORS
The “neutral” or “no gear” position is found between 1st and 2nd gear. The neutral position completely
disengages the engine and transmission regardless of the position of the clutch control lever.
To shift to the “neutral” gear or position, it is only necessary to lift or push down (depending upon which
gear you are shifting from) the gear shift lever one half of its normal traverse distance. Neutral gear can be
reached by depressing the gear shift lever one half of its normal traverse from second (2nd) gear or by lifting
the gear shift lever up by one half of its normal traverse from first (1st) gear.
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, RIDERS SHOULD NEVER SHIFT MORE THAN ONE GEAR BEFORE ENGAGING
THE CLUTCH MECHANISM. “SKIPPING” GEARS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OVER STRESSES THE
VEHICLE AND CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE. SKIPPING GEARS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND DECREASING
GEAR NUMBERS ALSO OVER STRESSES THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS DRAMATICALLY INCREASES THE
POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO SLIPPAGE OF REAR WHEEL.
When at a standstill with the engine off and wanting to shift gears it may be necessary to slightly “rock” the
vehicle forward and backward while the clutch mechanism is fully engaged and with slight pressure on the
foot gear shifting lever.
If at a standstill with the engine running and wanting to shift gears and experiencing difficulty in so
doing, do not force it. This could cause severe damage to the vehicle. Simply retry the “rocking” approach
with the engine off. If this still does not work, with the engine running let the clutch lever out slightly while
maintaining slight pressure on the foot gear shift lever. This maneuver may cause the vehicle to move slightly
forward during engagement.