1972 V7 Sport - Left-foot gear-change conversion

[richbourne]

Hi,



I have a '72 V7 Sport that I am hoping to convert to left-hand gear change.  I want it to be the same shift pattern as my 750S (left-hand, upside-down).



I have a left-side gear lever and rod from an 850T (should be the same as the 750s?).  I also have a right-side foot brake bar (the one that attaches to the right side lever and passes through the frame from left to right).  I also have the long bar that actuates the brake drum). 



So now I want to know if I need anything more?  Clearly I need something like the small traiangular mounting plates that the 750S and 850T have to mount both the brake bar and the gear-lever bar.  But do I need to get 850T frame rails at all?



If anyone knows more about this conversion process I'd be keen to know what you think.  If anyone has a US version V7 Sport with left-foot shift that can get me some photos that would be a huge help.



Thanks,

Rich

[canuck750]

You will need the later 850T type lower frame rails,

the triangular linkage brackets,



the chrome shit pedal / rod,



the zinc plated brake pedal rod,

rear brake control arm,





the brake pedal and the brake rod clamp that attaches to the left hand side of the brake rod.



I am using a 850T brake pedal on my 750S.



And the rear brake light switch, switch bracket and spring.





Let me know if you need any more pictures.

Cheers

Jim

[richbourne]

Wow.  Thanks for the great photos.  That answers a load of my questions right there.  I appreciate that a great deal.

So it looks like I have nearly everything I need.  I don't have the triangular mounting plates, but I can get some CNC'd from some originals as a source.

What I really need now is some 850T frame rails.  I've seen them on ebay occasionally but they don't come up often.  If you know of any for sale then I'd be very interested to know.

Thanks again for your post.  Super helpful.  I'll post some pics when I get my conversion done.

Rich

[canuck750]

Wow.  Thanks for the great photos.  That answers a load of my questions right there.  I appreciate that a great deal.

So it looks like I have nearly everything I need.  I don't have the triangular mounting plates, but I can get some CNC'd from some originals as a source.

What I really need now is some 850T frame rails.  I've seen them on ebay occasionally but they don't come up often.  If you know of any for sale then I'd be very interested to know.

Thanks again for your post.  Super helpful.  I'll post some pics when I get my conversion done.

Rich

I will look this evening, I may have a pair of frame rails (at least I used to have a pair in the attic) and I may have a spare pair of triangular brackets.

[richbourne]

I'd pay handsomely :)

[canuck750]

Check you personal message, pictures sent

Cheers

Jim

[jacksonracingcomau]

I was pretty sure 750S gear and brake levers were well shorter than 850T, putting them in wrong spot for actually working mismatched.
Canuck , just try gear change with S footrests and T controls, sounds wrong to me but might work with big feet ?

Alternative would be lot from 850T inc footrests, or use 750S controls (or cut down T ) with S rests.

IMHO T gear lever/pegs best gear change of lot, lot of lever travel for sure but feel is perfect,

[Dave Swanson]

I always thought 1/2 the fun of riding a V7 Sport was shifting on the right side!

[canuck750]

I was pretty sure 750S gear and brake levers were well shorter than 850T, putting them in wrong spot for actually working mismatched.
Canuck , just try gear change with S footrests and T controls, sounds wrong to me but might work with big feet ?

Alternative would be lot from 850T inc footrests, or use 750S controls (or cut down T ) with S rests.

IMHO T gear lever/pegs best gear change of lot, lot of lever travel for sure but feel is perfect,

You are right about the length of the foot levers, I have the original 750S shift lever mounted but the brake is off a 850T, way too long. The original 750S brake lever I have needs to be welded and polished, I may try to find a new one, the chances of which will be slim to none but you never know.

[Guzzistajohn]

Wasn't beno Rodi one of the earliest dealers to do this conversion? I wonder if he still has some parts? I used to ride some ahrma events with him. He's in Atlanta I think.

[harrytief]

I am also thinking of doing this conversion to my V7 Sport. I already have the 850T lower rails but need everything else.
Anyone have parts they want to sell?
Also looking for lenses/complete bodies for the Aprilia style turn signals.
Thanks
Harry

[ratguzzi]

I would love to switch my 75T to right side shift, left side brake. Anyone want to sell their leftovers?
JB

[Dave Swanson]

Having it shift on the "right" side is half the fun of riding a V7 Sport!

[Cam3512]

My ‘74 does have left side shift.

[guzzista]

This may sound dumb, but without  the ability to match parts, I  don't see  the difference between the 850 T and the v7/ 750 S lower frame rails . Can someone illustrate?

[canuck750]

This may sound dumb, but without  the ability to match parts, I  don't see  the difference between the 850 T and the v7/ 750 S lower frame rails . Can someone illustrate?

The left side brake / right side V7 Sport uses the cable operated rear brake, the tails of the lower frame rails are unique to accept the V7 Sport linkage



linkage rod passes through holes in the rails

here is a shot of both rails - V7 Sport rail on the bike, 850T rail held up for comparison - big difference



The cast triangular brackets are not used on the left side brake V7 Sport