Air Shifters Explained....

An air shifter system operates on compressed air, a shift cylinder or "ram" as more commonly known, electric/air solenoid valve to release pressure from the bottle or tank to the shift cylinder and an ignition interruption device.

The ignition interruption device, commonly known as the kill box, receives a signal with the closing of a switch, on the Cycle-Tek system this happens to incorporate the horn button as the switch.  A toggle switch is tied into your horn button to arm/disarm the system.  In one position the horn operates normally, flip the toggle switch to "arm" the shifter system and your horn button now becomes a shift button!

The kill-box simultaneously sends a signal to the solenoid to release the compressed air to the shift cylinder and momentarily interrupts the power to the ignition coils.  This momentary interruption creates a coast condition in the transmission for a very brief moment, allowing the bike to shift into the next gear without damage.  Keep in mind, this is all accomplished without ever lifting the throttle, touching the clutch lever or touching the shift lever!  It all takes place in about 25-75 milliseconds to be exact, much faster then even the above average rider could consistently duplicate!

Other vital components of an air shifter system are the wiring harness that ties it all together, strong heat resistant tubing to transfer the air, and a high-pressure air source.

Until recently, large bulky tanks were responsible for delivering and controlling the air.  Only holding enough usable pressure (about 130 psi) to make about 7 shifts before they need to be refilled.  On today's modern sport bikes it's no secret space is hard to come by, let alone trying to find a location to mount a large bulky air tank and allowing access to refill it after every 7 shifts.

Enter the Co2 bottle......

Co2 air shifter systems operate exactly as the traditional compressed air system, but with many advantages.  Size matters!  The standard 9oz Co2 bottle is very slim, about 2" in diameter and 11" long, allowing it to slide into tight places a regular air tank wouldn't think of fitting!  I personally like to mount them in the trunk for easy access; some people mount them to the sub-frame in the tail section.  Where ever it is, just remember you will have to remove it to be refilled sooner or later.  The best aspect of the Co2 system is the number of shifts you can get from one full bottle, up to around 200...that's correct, 200 shifts from one bottle!  Cost to refill a 9oz Co2 bottle, about $2.00.  A trip to your local major sporting goods store or paintball shop is all it takes.  How can a bottle 1/2 the size of a regular air tank produce such a high number of shifts you ask?  Extremely high pressure and low volume is the answer!  A full 9oz Co2 bottle will have pressures in excess of 1000 psi depending on ambient temperature.  The hotter the temperature the higher the pressure rises, so it's important to keep the bottles stored or mounted out of direct sunlight.  To control this great pressure down to a useable level for the air shifter system (about 130 psi) an on/off valve and precision low-pressure regulator is used.  This regulation system makes up the largest percentage of cost-per-component in the Co2 air shifter system.

CAUTION!

Due to the high pressure and nature of ANY compressed air system, one must be extremely careful when handing and installing any components.  DO NOT activate or release air to the cylinder unless the motorcycle is moving and accelerating forward, critical damage WILL occur to the transmission!  Misuse of ANY compressed air system could result in severe damage, injury or death to persons or property!  Cycle-Tek.com expects our enthusiasts to use ANY compressed air system responsibly.