Airshifting...
Airshifters
are used to perform automated gear shifts. This is accomplished by
pressing a handlebar mounted button that activates an air-operated
cylinder that is connected to the shift lever or shift linkage. The
air cylinder shifts the gears as your foot normally would. Air for
the system is supplied from an onboard reservoir.The advantages of
this type of system over foot shifting are faster, smoother, positive,
consistent shifts.
What's
available...
There are three types of systems commercially
available. Any one of these systems can be found on race bikes today.
Air
Over Air System...
With this system there is an air button
on the handlebars that sends air to a pressure switch and an air cylinder.
The pressure switch, called an "Air Kill Switch", kills
the ignition while the air cylinder actuates the shift lever to engage
the next gear. When the button is released the pressure switch and
shift cylinder are deactivated, the ignition is turned back on and
the shift cylinder returns to its original position ready for the
next shift. The amount of time the engine is turned off, called "Kill
Time", is determined by the system pressure, length of the air
lines connecting it all together and how long the button is held.
Electric Over Air Conversion...
The next step in the evolution of air shifters was
to add electricity. It is called an "Electric Over Air Conversion".
Remove the air button and replace it with an electric button. When
the button is pressed it turns on an electric air valve, called a
"Solenoid Valve", which then carries out the same functions,
in exactly the same way, as the air button did.
Electronic
Air Shifter...
This
variation is a true electric over air system and is commonly referred
to as an "Electronic Air Shifter". This system employs a
time delay relay commonly referred to as a "Kill Timer".
When the handlebar button is pressed, the time delay relay and an
electric air valve are activated. The "Kill Timer" kills
the motor for a period of time usually adjustable from 50 to 100 milliseconds
and the air cyclinder actuates the shift lever. When the time delay
expires the electric air valve is de-energized to release the shift
lever and the ignition is turned back on.
