I have a 70's ratchet lid with a bad main shaft and other undesirable loose bushings and bearing troubles. I bought a rotary top that is in pristine condition that I thought I could just buy the shift linkage for...Not. Lately I have bean wondering about swapping the rotary guts into the ratchet lid. I totally understand the shift drum and forks are not interchageble but what about the rest,?? Unless any of you gurus know anyone re manufacturing rotary top linkage. all this started with a high output ss motor shearing the clutch hub key.
I am 50 now and seem to have forgotten more than I can remember. Thanks for your input.

 

1936 to early 1977 the counter shaft has loose roller bearings and is different then anything after 77 as the HI gear is not loose roller and the countershaft / shaft

1st gear - 2nd gear - 3rd gear - both shift forks - shift dogs - mainshaft 1970 to 1984 - are all the same BUT come in 2 different ratios that are propitiatory to one another

what linkage is it you need as far as i know its all available - and if you picture up what you have i can tell you how if possible what to connect to use what you already have

 

The rotary top trans I purchased is missing all of the shift linkage. I know the FL and FX had different linkage but was told the trans would accept both. I think from what I saw at the booth I bought it from it had come from a FX. I would be putting it in a FL . I have never owned a rotary top so I dont know which linkage is nicer to shift with. I did notice the FL sticks up behind the primary and the FX hangs down. The places I have looked for linkage have a one piece of linkage or another, but I cant seem to find it all together so I can match parts. In the old days we pulled rotary tops out of our bikes and installed ratchet lids. I'm afraid I missed out on some education due to ignorance.

 

Maybe more than you want to get into but Ray (saddlebagrail) built an improved shifter for rotary top trannys, since you are starting from scratch:
http://www.shovelhead.us/forum/showthread.php?t=167119

 

Thank you Joe12RK. I wish the pictures would show up so I could see what he's building.

 

I never understood what was up with the FX and FL linkage...they installed both linkages on both bikes...from the factory...I guess they used whatever they had laying around that week. IMO you want the linkage that is listed for the FX-FXE in the parts list..no matter what bike you are putting it on...it will use a regular straight shift arm, and is adjustable so you can take up the slack as it wears.

http://www.vtwinmfg.com/catalogs/cyr/pdf/cltranny.pdf

 

^^ But...The Rotary top [Cowpie] will not except most of the Ratchet top components...As John JZJZ said...The linkage is certainly generally available stuff...And, as Joe12RK points out, Ray can fix you up with an Improved, linkage. yes the stocker is kind of a Rube Goldberg set-up.

 

I didn't realize Ray was selling to the public yet. That definitely sounds like a way to alleviate the headaches of shift linkage issues.
Thank you Tom for the link. I keep hearing the linkage is available but I was only finding a piece here and there and I was having troubles understanding which part numbers went together. The prices add up quick. I guess I'm going to contact Ray next for a price.

 

Hey Joe12RK,
Can you help me get in touch with Ray , about the shift linkage. I have tried to become a member of the shovel head forum but I can't get a confirmation email to complete my membership. Thanks.

 

I sent him a message over there - but meanwhile you might want to try ebay - he sells parts there too as saddlebagrail


here's his email: saddlebagrail at yahoo.ca