Triumphrat

Whisperinsmith · 08-17-2007, 11:48 AM

my '69 bonnie shifted on the right, brake on the left. ran into a guy with a '72 or '74 tiger last weekend. his shift was on the left.

what year did the 'shift' take place? just curious.

jimballard · 08-17-2007, 01:24 PM

I believe it was for the 1975 model year; if I remember correctly, there weren't many, or any, Triumph models around for that season. That was also the end of the 500cc models, at least in the U.S. The last 500's were '74 models; supposedly because there wasn't any easy way to convert the shift mechanism over.

Correct me if I'm wrong, anyone: Jim

Wombat · 08-17-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimballard

I believe it was for the 1975 model year;

I believe you to be correct, Jim.

Nortons also went over to left-shift in '75.

jefftarlton · 08-17-2007, 03:13 PM

It was 1975. I believe it was a federally mandated change. All the primary controls had to be in standardized locations. The shift pattern also had to be what we have today, not inverted or GP shift like the older Nortons.
After riding a friend's Indian, I have to say this was one of the few laws I agree with.
Left side throttle, right side spark advance, foot clutch on the left-I had to concentrate just to get it rolling.
My wife's CT90 is a '72, so neutral is on top and fourth is on bottom.

Speed3 · 08-17-2007, 05:16 PM

It was '75. My '74 Trident and my '74 Pursang had Rt hand shift. All US bikes had left hand the next MY.

Tbirdnz · 08-17-2007, 08:36 PM

Yes in the 70's when the Jap bikes came out.

I've got a '62 AJS and have no problem adapting to the totally opposite way, gear shift on the right and gears 1-up and 3-down and foot brake on the left. First time I rode it though and had to do an emergency stop I nearly put the gear lever into the tarmac trying to stop !

It's only when I get back on my modern bikes that it causes me to think for a few klicks (miles), weird really.

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Ride on !

davidc · 08-17-2007, 08:44 PM

I had a right shift bike and a left shift bike at the same time. It was somewhat of a problem to stay in the "correct" foot groove. In time I sold the righty and all better now. As I am right handed, however, I think I am more inclined to shift with the right foot. Never been comfortable with the left shifters.

Whisperinsmith · 08-17-2007, 10:23 PM

davidc,
i had two opposite side shift bikes at the same time back a few years also. that might explain a thing or two.

jefftarlton · 08-17-2007, 10:54 PM

I grew up on bikes with left side shift. Riding old bikes with things in different places makes me have to think to myself about things before shifting or braking. Not good.
Japanese bikes were around in the US before the seventies. I promise.
Some old airplanes have the throttles/props/mixture levers in the wrong order. Several twins have been put down by a pilot used to another setup.

Whisperinsmith, were you part of the company that used to sell dirtbike exhuast systems under that name 35 years ago?