Right shift 850T

[swooshdave]

Is it possible to switch an 850T to right side shift? What would it take? Seems like the shifter is a long crossover shaft already.

[canuck750]

If you can find the V7 Sport brake and shifter parts it will swap right in. You will also need the V7 Sport frame rails (call Curtis I think he has them in stock)

The shift shaft is a hooped shaped,



the spine smaller in diameter,



the V7 Sport shift pedal is unique.



The left hand brake pedal attaches to a brake cable that fits the V7 Sport rear brake plate that looks like the Eldorado front brake plate but is slightly different.

You could probably make a rod operated left hand brake pedal out of a V7 Sport brake pedal.

[swooshdave]

So I'll I need to find are V7 Sport parts? That can't be cheap. Were the 74 850Ts right shifts?

[swooshdave]

Brake side looks easy. The shaft end is already exposed and there's a clamp on it. Looks like it just needs the right pedal.

Shifting looks trickier as the crossover shaft doesn't extend out. Maybe this is where the 7 shifter will work.

[jabberwocky]

If you need to do it with genuine Guzzi parts, it will cost you quite a bit, but someone with middling skill at welding could do it for very little.

[canuck750]

So I'll I need to find are V7 Sport parts? That can't be cheap. Were the 74 850Ts right shifts?

850T is left shift, uses a straight brake shaft / rod to the rear drum brake, separate brake pedal.





The shifter support rod has integral pedal and cast triangular carrier brackets through bolted to frame rails, was used on disc brake V7 Sport and disc brake 750S.

[swooshdave]

It almost seems that you could flip the shifter over to the other side and just need to move the arm that attaches to the linkage.



And then find a right side brake pedal.

[swooshdave]

[/URL]

Is the bracket that holds the footpads suppose to be black? Were folding footpegs an option?

[canuck750]

Is the bracket that holds the footpads suppose to be black? Were folding footpegs an option?

The pictures are of a 750S, it came with black folding foot pegs like the V7 Sport. The foot pegs from the 850T, T3 are a little different riders peg more foot forward.

[Kiwi_Roy]

So I'm thinking to myself, "he must have some old Brit bikes, why else would he want a right hand shift"

[canuck750]

I have been riding my 73 V7 Sport (right hand shift) most of the summer, the other day I got on my KLR 650 and when attempting to slow down for a stop light I 'braked' with my left foot with some force, ended up jamming down a gear hard and fast, stunned me to say the least, I can see how bouncing back form L to R shift can be a problem. What gets me is how quickly I have gotten used to a RH shift.

[swooshdave]

So I'm thinking to myself, "he must have some old Brit bikes, why else would he want a right hand shift"

Partially correct, my Bultacos are also right shift. But then again Señor Bultó knew that right shifting makes more sense. If it wasn't for the Japanese invasion in the 70s we'd probably still be shifting correctly.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I rode my '69 Ambassador for the first time in a year on Sunday. It's right-foot shift/left brake unlike my other Ambassador and Morini. After my brain finally reset itself, I remembered just how much more natural it feels for me.

[swooshdave]

I recall a story about Senor Bulto explaining why the right shift, left clutch was more natural. He asked someone to stand on their right leg and raise their right arm. Then only raise their left arm. It was immediately evidence which had better balance. Perhaps our brains use that balance to control our limbs easier. A vast majority of people who think the left/left setup is "correct" have never ridden a proper bike enough. Or they have brain damage. I'm not here to judge.

[v7john]

Just a word of warning if you do the swap using V7Sport parts. The footrest hangers for the sport are different to the Ts' and place the riders' footrests a little further back. It might mean the brake and gearshift pedals end up too close to the Ts' footpegs.

[swooshdave]

Hmmm, I wonder if this V700 part would work for the brake on the left.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTO-GUZZI-V700-1965-1969-LEFT-FOOT-BRAKE-ALLOY-LIGHT-VERY-GOOD-CONDITION-/172268095352?hash=item281bfa8778:g:8nEAAOSwpDdVJwVh&vxp=mtr

[Tom]

IIRC after 1972.  All motorcycles sold in the U.S. had to the controls in the present configuration.  YMMV for some low number manufacturers.

[swooshdave]

IIRC after 1972.  All motorcycles sold in the U.S. had to the controls in the present configuration.  YMMV for some low number manufacturers.

1975

[Tom]

Started in 1972 with all manufacturers conforming by 1975.

[swooshdave]

Started in 1972 with all manufacturers conforming by 1975.

You'll probably remember better than me. I was only 4. 

[Tom]

Actually, I'm a computer set on auto-response sitting in a closet. 

[swooshdave]

Actually, I'm a computer set on auto-response sitting in a closet. 

Punch cards, no doubt.

[Tom]

Yes with huge reel to reel tape back-up.  Sent to the main office at the end of the day.

[rodekyll]

I used to manage the reel-to-reel (2000') tape library for a major computer service bureau in the 70's -- back when we did your payroll because there were no PCs for you to do it yourself with.  It was like those rolling library stacks with hanging tape spools instead of shelved books -- Huge vault under a bank with millions of feet of tape  on thousands of spools.  I mention it because you could fit the entire library on one modern computer hard drive.

[Tom]

Very true.  We use to take the reeled tape from the office to the central data processing.  Had the mail runner employed doing that and company mail.  This was for a defunct chain department store which has a WalMart in it's place.

[swooshdave]

I used to manage the reel-to-reel (2000') tape library for a major computer service bureau in the 70's -- back when we did your payroll because there were no PCs for you to do it yourself with.  It was like those rolling library stacks with hanging tape spools instead of shelved books -- Huge vault under a bank with millions of feet of tape  on thousands of spools.  I mention it because you could fit the entire library on one modern computer hard drive flash drive from a gumball machine.