Hitchcocks Forum

Hello all. I've recently ordered the Right Shift Conversion Kit from the RE supplier, here in the States. I'm converting my '99 Iron 500 w/ 4spd Albion, 1down/3up pattern. I've read some sites which seems to indicate when changing the shift side, the pattern will be reversed as well...1up/3down. I can't seem to get my head around this, not understanding how the pattern will change. Can anyone shed a little light on whether the pattern will change with the shifter-side change. Actually I would prefer it to change to 1up/3down. If the side-swap, in fact does NOT change the pattern, I would appreciate any advise if that is an option while I'm in there.
Thanks to all
TS

Was there a US legal requirement for imported motrocycles to have down & up shift?

Sorry have not answered you question - Albion gearboxes are one up & three down, Therefore I suspect the linkages you are removing reverse the movement much as reversing the shift lever for rearset footrests also reverses the shift pattern. if you follow my meaning?

if you use the kit to revert back to right side, then you will get i up, 3 down.



also, it seems that without all the additional linkage, some guys say the gear change is more positive.



If you go ahead then from my own experience of right shift... Find a quiet road to practice on before hitting the freeway. It is very disturbing when suddenly needing to brake, but all you do is change from 3rd to 4th! Also, I found it a little unnerving when wanting to change gear, but locked the back wheel due to pushing down on the brake pedal!



Don't be put off, as it does take a while to get the hang of it, but the rewards of being able to ride something so "out of the usual" gives a very self satisfying feeling as well as something to brag to your friends about!

Classic pattern for English and Italian bikes 1 up 3 down left hand change (Edward Turner's Triumphs excepted). The crossover linkage has the effect of turning the box upside-down so the side and direction is reversed. The same effect as the cross over box on my Ducati 860GT which was swapped for the American market. As long as the linkages are good the system works fine but there is more lost movement and more moving bits and therefore more potential chance of issues.

Whoops! sorry read Right for Left in my last post. Dyslexia (and also possibly stupidity) means I am unable to tell one from the other which resulted in an interesting time at a hang gliding lesson many years back!

OK, Do we get enlightened as to the problem at the hang-gliding lesson?

Having run down a sand dune and taken off I was instructed to bank right and went left. I ploughed in from about fifteen feet up and winded myself. I was way better off than the guy who came after me and did something similar and broke his arm in two places. That was it for me. I've been ground based ever since. Apart from the parachuting incident that is.