Author Topic: Right hand shift conversion  (Read 2071 times)

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Offline coxy

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Right hand shift conversion
« on: November 20, 2017, 11:31:28 PM »
Maybe someone  could shed some light on how much a conversion kit would be worth cheers
« Last Edit: November 20, 2017, 11:45:13 PM by coxy »

Offline James14p

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2017, 11:14:49 AM »
If you are looking to do one, we just ran linkage from one side to the other.   

Offline moonpup

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2017, 12:20:36 PM »
A couple years back I sold a nos right shift kick start lever for $250 and then a few months later I sold a nos package that included ALL the other pieces needed to do the conversion for $300.

Adjust your price to take in consideration the missing pieces, those needing a re-chrome and then adjust for inflation/deflation/whims of the market and voila..... you have the worth!  :o
Confucius say... "Better to have Bridgestone than Kidneystone"

Offline coxy

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2017, 01:38:50 PM »
Thanks mike
I paid quite a lot for mine and doing all that work to the lever (thanks for the help with that)
I do have a boss but needed for other bikes
Seeing it took since 2011 to track one down and the chances  of just buying another one is approximately nil I think I will just keep it
Cheers

Offline Mopar5426

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2017, 08:46:44 PM »
  I Belive I have All The Parts
Shift Lever
Brake Lever
Brake Cable
Was There Any Other Parts
GENE

Offline moonpup

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2017, 11:57:42 PM »
Gene, the conversion kit also included the special kick start lever that had extra bends in it to clear the brake pedal that was now located on the left side of the bike. In addition, there was a reversed spring for the brake pedal, along with an extended bolt & spacer for the right front foot peg to make more room for the shift lever now on the right side.
« Last Edit: November 22, 2017, 10:02:33 AM by moonpup »
Confucius say... "Better to have Bridgestone than Kidneystone"

Offline BRT-GTR

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2017, 08:35:43 AM »
           In Nov 67, Rockfords issued a service letter advising dealers a shift conversion kit was available for the GTR (BSG-0064, 11-1-67), detailing the separate parts included and how to fit. The cost  -  $45.56 !!  Sorry, unable to scan and post at the moment.

     Sometimes claimed as a BS first, to promote sales in the US market, I've read recently Yamaha also offered the crossover option on their 350 YR-1 in 1967. Who copied who ? Did any other make offer this option ?

     If you didn't live through that time, it's difficult to convey just how competetive the Japanese manufacturers were in fighting for a share of the US market. New models every 12 months, not just updates or minor revisions. The crossover kit couldn't simply be offered as an aftermarket option, it had to be included at the design stage, building in the shaft extensions and frame fittings. Industrial espionage? - almost certainly !!

    So how many kits would BS have produced?  It's not easy to assess - we don't see many, if any, fitted to GTR/GTO's that come on the market, so not many kits were originally sold, the idea didn't take off. Younger buyers would have no problem adapting to reversed pedals or hadn't developed a preference. I still believe BS were already questioning the future of bike production when the first GTRs came off the line so wouldn't have made a big commitment to these extras. My best guess would be 100 -500 kits with a leaning toward a lower figure, the number known to be still in existence doesn't support a higher number. BS may never have recovered their tooling costs on these parts. How many of you have a kit or parts ?

     Rarer than hens teeth?  What do you think,  Brian.
   
« Last Edit: November 23, 2017, 10:54:27 AM by BRT-GTR »
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I'm so glad I grew up in the 60s & 70s. I did so much stupid stuff and there's no record of it.............Anywhere !!

Offline Mopar5426

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2017, 09:08:23 PM »
 Im Going To  Go Find My Kit
Now I Remember Those Parts
My Gold  GTO Has The Kit On It
Ill Try To Send Pioctures Tomorrow
When I Take The Bike To A Show They Ask If Its A British Bike
I  Replay Jap With Conversion Kit
So They Never Left On The Bikes  Always A Option
GENE

Offline coxy

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2017, 12:16:05 PM »
Great read Brian
I have all the parts laid out on the table but my computer is down and it doesn't let me upload photos from my iPhone
It also seems that more Gto's have the conversion in saying that 3 I heard of I haven't heard of any gtr's with it .
When did the Brits faze out the right shift entirely I think it must be around 1971-73

Offline moonpup

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Re: Right hand shift conversion
« Reply #9 on: November 25, 2017, 03:06:44 PM »
Pictured below is what is probably the most difficult piece of the conversion kit to track down.... the specially bent kick start lever. (the top kick lever is the standard/stock lever)
Confucius say... "Better to have Bridgestone than Kidneystone"

 


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