Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

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Aug 16, 2007 | 10:59 AM

Purple Thunder

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 191

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From: Smokey mountains

Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

I am trouble shooting a 77 FXE. The shifter is on the left but the shift pattern is backwards. 1 up 3 down.. I remember hearing once that if something in the shifter drumwas assembled wrong, it would shift backwards. Anyone remember?

Aug 16, 2007 | 11:12 AM

panz4ever

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 7,495

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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali

RE: Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

Purple Thunder, the first FX models came with a 1 up and 3 down shift pattern. Starting with 74 FX models MoCo went to the conventional 1 down and 3 up. Sounds like you might have and early style tranny.

Aug 16, 2007 | 11:17 AM

DeJavu

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 3,306

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From: Bellville, Tx

RE: Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

GP bikes are set up that way on purpose. Disassemble the ratchet and reassemble upside down from what it is now. You should be able to reattach the shifter rod and it will shift 1 dn/3 up. Was not aware they ever came from the factory like you descibe.

Aug 16, 2007 | 11:17 AM

Purple Thunder

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Joined: Jan 2007

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From: Smokey mountains

RE: Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

Hey ! don't know what year they stopped with the backwards shift pattern do ya?

Aug 16, 2007 | 11:21 AM

Purple Thunder

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Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2007

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From: Smokey mountains

RE: Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

I was thinking the shifter plate could be on upside down.

Aug 16, 2007 | 12:49 PM

panz4ever

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 7,495

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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali

RE: Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

Purple Thunder...73 was the last year for 1 up/3down

Aug 16, 2007 | 05:12 PM

AlCherry

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,309

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From: Rye, By God, Deep East Texas

RE: Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

The '75 I had was 1 up 3 dn. I think 75 was the last year, but you never can tell with Harley, they mixed parts till they ran out. I had a '80 74". Knew a guy with a 81 74". Whenever they run out of the old parts.

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Aug 28, 2007 | 11:34 PM

Fenrir

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Joined: May 2007

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RE: Shift pattern backwards, whats wrong?

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Purple Thunder

I am trouble shooting a 77 FXE. The shifter is on the left but the shift pattern is backwards. 1 up 3 down.. I remember hearing once that if something in the shifter drumwas assembled wrong, it would shift backwards. Anyone remember?

I call BS, the shift pattern for a FXE is 1 down and 3 up. The FXE up to '79 is/was a mid-shift bike that the second you put forward controls on it, the shift pattern reversed to 1 up 3 down, (not a bad thing as no one will be able to ride off on it) If you want forward controls with the "correct" shift pattern you need to either put on a FLH ratchet top or look for V-Twin part # 22-0801, which oddly enough isn't listed in my current parts catalog, but the part # comes up as good @ http://www.zoomcyclellc.com/ZoomCycl...talogIndex.htm