Left side shift kit?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 11
From: Right Coast
Left side shift kit?
I am not too familiar with some of the older Ironheads and am looking to buy one for my local bar hopping runs. One I'm looking at is a 72.
My questions is: does anyone make a kit to transfer right side shifting to the left and left side brakes to the right?
There is no way I'm gonna try to re-learn shifting and braking patterns.
My questions is: does anyone make a kit to transfer right side shifting to the left and left side brakes to the right?
There is no way I'm gonna try to re-learn shifting and braking patterns.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,478
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
You could buy the parts HD cobbed together when the gooberment forced them to make the change. You won't like the results, any more than we did back in the 70s. Shifting was rubbery feeling at best, and as soon as a little wear happened, it often changed from rubbery to not shifting at all.
If you aren't willing to cope with the right side shift, I recommend a pass on the bike.
Besides, some of us old farts might just have to kill you for such desecration!
If you aren't willing to cope with the right side shift, I recommend a pass on the bike.
Besides, some of us old farts might just have to kill you for such desecration!
I am not too familiar with some of the older Ironheads and am looking to buy one for my local bar hopping runs. One I'm looking at is a 72.
My questions is: does anyone make a kit to transfer right side shifting to the left and left side brakes to the right?
There is no way I'm gonna try to re-learn shifting and braking patterns.
My questions is: does anyone make a kit to transfer right side shifting to the left and left side brakes to the right?
There is no way I'm gonna try to re-learn shifting and braking patterns.
1. the bike rides much better with the shift on the right as it was designed
2. it is not a problem to learn to use right side shift
3. it is not a problem having two bikes at the same time, one each side.
You just have to commit yourself to it, and do not listen to any naysayers.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
Guys that used to work at the HD shops way back when rode both rights and lefts every workday. I asked several HD mechanics if it was a problem they all told me that it was not. In the early 70's I rode both including a "tank shift" or two, only takes a few minutes to adapt.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 378
Likes: 6
From: Pasadena, TX
Don't pass up a good bike just because it is a right side shift. There is a brief learning curve, but nothing that a couple of rides won't cure. At one point, I owned a Buell (left side shift), 73 Ironhead (right side shift). and an 07 Deluxe that I converted to a foot clutch/tank shift. I had no problem switching between the bikes.
One your butt gets educated on which bike your are on, it becomes automatic to shift it correctly.
One your butt gets educated on which bike your are on, it becomes automatic to shift it correctly.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Born and raised in the NC Mtn's
how 'bout passing on the sale info....I'm looking for one to jockey shift with a hand clutch. this would be ideal...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
My 75 has the shifter output shaft on the right with the factory mechanism switching it to the left. Never had a minutes problem out of it. However; I would not try and change over the shift on that 72 to the left.