Q. Is it possible to operate a closed-loop system by measuring the linear position of the shift lever?
A. Not reliably, no. Although the position of the lever gives some indication, it does not accurately represent the position of the selector forks and dog rings. Measuring the lever position does not allow the control system to determine which gear is selected because it always comes to rest in the same position. The only reliable way to operate a gear shift system is to measure the position of the selector barrel using a rotary position sensor.
Q. Can the Geartronics paddleshift system be fitted to any sequential gearbox?
A. Our paddleshift system will work with most, but not all, sequential gearboxes that have provision for a barrel position sensor. Our experience allows us to evaluate any potential gearbox installation and decide if paddleshift is suitable for your application. In some cases your gearbox may simply be incapable of accepting semi-auto shifting. Rest assured, if we can't do it then no-one else can!
Q. Can the paddleshift system be fitted to motorcycle gearboxes?
A. Some, but not all. We have developed systems to work with the Suzuki GSXR1000, Hayabusa and Honda Fireblade gearboxes, but only after making the appropriate modification to the gearbox in order to fit a barrel position sensor. There are several systems on the market that are advertised to work on any motorcycle gearbox, but these do not use any form of gearbox monitoring and are nothing more than simple timer devices. We would advise you to think very carefully before fitting one of these systems as the crude control methods they employ may result in serious gearbox damage.