Thinking of reversing the linkage on my Softail by adding a pivot to reverse the shift pattern (1 up 4 down). Anyone done such a thing here and have pics?

 

How about a reverse pattern shift drum?

 

Figure I can do the same thing without ripping into the transmission and it'll be much cheaper to fabricate a pivot point in the linkage.

 

I am not trying to be a smarta$$, but I am curious - Why???

 

Pushing down of the shifter is much more positive and faster than clicking up when a guy wants to burn through the gears fast. Lot of crotch rocket guys do this for the same reason.

 

The road racers run reverse linkage so that at full lean coming out of the corner they do not have to haver their feet under the shift lever decreasing cornering clearance and the foot is in a more dangerous position as well.... the only reason this would be faster would be becasue you can complete a shift sooner in the corner but not necessarily make the shift quicker

 

on a 4 speed fl and fx have an opposite rotation.IDK 5 speeds might as well..all you do is run a rod to a lever below the pivot point instead of above it

 

Baker makes a shift drum you may find interesting check it out N1. and they have the reverse pattern 5sp drums also .

http://www.bakerdrivetrain.com/4-speed/index.htm#n1drum

Don't know if you have the room , you could just swing the shift arm 180 on the shaft and play with the linkage without the extra arm involved . Did this a few times with ratchet lid 4's and it worked fine 1 up 3 down

Well burn that last idea , I just looked a 5 in a softail no wiggle room at all is there . You'll end up with something like the cowpie linkage then , I'd think the extra play from more parts would negate any gains in speed doing it ?

 

I had the GP shifter set up on my RC51 race bike but never thought of doing it the softy...

 

i wanna do that as well... i have always had a few old pommie bikes...
i can deal with left and right change... but nice to have the pattern at least the same...looks like either the baker drum or some rube goldberg linkage...
4 speeds are easy enough...but doesnt look like enough room to flip the lever over on 5-6 speed..

any other ideas???