Originally Posted by baddog

My first H-D was a 1942 4-5. It was a chopper all the way, with extended front end, peanut tank, a sissy bar that would poke the eye out of anyone walking too close, no front brake, mechanical rear . . . and a suicide shift.

When I got it, it was a trade for my 1963 VW van. I drove down to Long Beach, with a friend (bigger than me). I had not stopped to think that I was going to have to ride him back home (about 20 miles) with no prior experience riding a suicide.

After that experience, I never built a bike that didn't have a jockey shift.