Reverse "GP" Shifting

[psycledelic]

I have had mine switched for a couple days now and other then 1 failed attempt to start off in 6th gear at a stop light (sometimes it pays to wear a full face helmet with tinted visor) all is great.  I really don't understand why bikes are not made like this.  My bike seems to shift much better.

[jdubbs32584]

I would like to flip the linkage on my S2r 800. Can I get some more detailed instructions? Thanks!

[psycledelic]

I would like to flip the linkage on my S2r 800. Can I get some more detailed instructions? Thanks!

It is pretty cut and dry.  I did it in about 10 minutes.  I just removed the bolt in the linkage where it connects to the (for lack of correct terminology) thingy that mounts on the shaft that runs into the clutch.  Then you take that thingy off of the shaft by removing the bolt that crimps it down.  (I had to use a screw driver to seperate it a little to get it to let loose.)  That bolt had to be completely removed because it fit between a groove that is in between the splines on the shaft.  Pull the thingy off the shaft and rotate it about 180 degrees and remount.  I am not an expert, but I figured that for best results the newly mounted position should be close to a 45 degree angle from the linkage when you reinstall to give equal shift distance in both directions.  It looks like the linkage has a length adjustment, but I didn't need it.  Everything fit back together perfectly.  I had no clearance issues what so ever on my 800.  Works great.  I like it so much that I am gonna replace the stock setup with one of the levers that motowheels offers.  I have already developed a tendancy to really stomp on the lever when I am riding pretty hard and I am worried that the stock linkage might not handle that abuse for long.  I would really love to stumble over one of those gold Rizoma levers that was posted earlier, but as I said earlier, Motowheels had some pretty cool stuff offered also.   

[jdubbs32584]

It is pretty cut and dry.  I did it in about 10 minutes.  I just removed the bolt in the linkage where it connects to the (for lack of correct terminology) thingy that mounts on the shaft that runs into the clutch.  Then you take that thingy off of the shaft by removing the bolt that crimps it down.  (I had to use a screw driver to seperate it a little to get it to let loose.)  That bolt had to be completely removed because it fit between a groove that is in between the splines on the shaft.  Pull the thingy off the shaft and rotate it about 180 degrees and remount.  I am not an expert, but I figured that for best results the newly mounted position should be close to a 45 degree angle from the linkage when you reinstall to give equal shift distance in both directions.  It looks like the linkage has a length adjustment, but I didn't need it.  Everything fit back together perfectly.  I had no clearance issues what so ever on my 800.  Works great.  I like it so much that I am gonna replace the stock setup with one of the levers that motowheels offers.  I have already developed a tendancy to really stomp on the lever when I am riding pretty hard and I am worried that the stock linkage might not handle that abuse for long.  I would really love to stumble over one of those gold Rizoma levers that was posted earlier, but as I said earlier, Motowheels had some pretty cool stuff offered also.   

Thanks man. I'm gonna try it tonite or tomorrow nite and take pictures. I'll post up when donw. 

[jdubbs32584]

Ok. Here's a pic of before:



I undid the bolt labeled 3, then undid bolt 1, then pulled the thingy off of the splines (labeled 2).

Here's what it looks like now:



Obviously the shift lever is way too high. I guess I did something wrong (my boobs may have something to do with this).

Three options:
1. The thingy with the arrow gets its angle changed to be about 45 degrees as the red line shows.
2. Change the length of the linkage to get the shift lever back where it needs to be
3. Remove the bolts circled and move the shifter (I don't know if this is even possible)

Help?

[psycledelic]

Ok. Here's a pic of before:



I undid the bolt labeled 3, then undid bolt 1, then pulled the thingy off of the splines (labeled 2).

Here's what it looks like now:



Obviously the shift lever is way too high. I guess I did something wrong (my boobs may have something to do with this).

Three options:
1. The thingy with the arrow gets its angle changed to be about 45 degrees as the red line shows.
2. Change the length of the linkage to get the shift lever back where it needs to be
3. Remove the bolts circled and move the shifter (I don't know if this is even possible)

Help?

If you rotate the part that is now officially named the "thingy" back to about where you drew the red line, it might straighten your lever out without any length adustment to the linkage.   I would post a picture of mine but my wife has the camera with her today.  If no more helpful post shows up tonight, I will get a pic when I get home from work tomorrow for you.

[jdubbs32584]

Awesome. Thanks for the help man. I'm gonna go change that then ride down the street to see how it works.

[jdubbs32584]

Success! I shifted the "thingy" to the red line in my pic and everything works great. off for a longer ride now. Thanks psycledelic for the help!

[thejsnide]

I'm still learning... I understand the process, but why do some people keep the shift linkage and others mount it directly?

[moto]

The reverse lever has a more direct feel and less false neutrals ( which can be a pain at speed).

Flipping the linkage is a good way to figure out if you like it. It takes some time to get used to it. You have to get used to leaving your foot on top of the shift lever rather than under it.
Some people short shift for awhile until they get used to it.

A slipper clutch helps during this process....

-M

[desmoquattro]

I took the plunge a few months ago, and love it. If you can get hold of a direct-link GP shifter, do it! The shifting gets crisper, and looks uber-cool.

[jdubbs32584]

I'm definitely going to be going the direct route at some point after riding Mother's bike which has that direct link. I figured I'd flip the linkage until I had enough money to get the whole package.

[desmoquattro]

I'm definitely going to be going the direct route at some point after riding Mother's bike which has that direct link. I figured I'd flip the linkage until I had enough money to get the whole package.

Good call. I did the same on both bikes, and eventually bought GP shifters for both.

FYI, check out MotoWheels' sale & clearance items. They often discount GP shifters. You can fit most shifters designated for superbikes on Monsters and Supersports.

[psycledelic]

Success! I shifted the "thingy" to the red line in my pic and everything works great. off for a longer ride now. Thanks psycledelic for the help!

No problem, glad you like it as much as I did.  Just be careful not to get in a situation where you need power and you get 1000 less RPM's.  Or in my case, you need 1st gear and you got 6th at a stoplight.  It's not just a humiliating stall, it's a humiliating stall and a trip through your gear box (while everyone waits).  If that happens, just look cool as possible and let people think your bike has a kick start!

[jdubbs32584]

No problem, glad you like it as much as I did.  Just be careful not to get in a situation where you need power and you get 1000 less RPM's.  Or in my case, you need 1st gear and you got 6th at a stoplight.  It's not just a humiliating stall, it's a humiliating stall and a trip through your gear box (while everyone waits).  If that happens, just look cool as possible and let people think your bike has a kick start!