Announcement

**jd666** · 10-14-2009, 08:37 PM

im guessing that since the gearbox was a separate unit in those designs and still is in the bullet, to reduce the number of seals and issues to route the gear shaft through the clutch casing, the gear shift was kept on the left and the brake on the right.

Because if the gearshift was to be on the left, the clutch casing would have to be drilled through and seals put that could/would leak.

Im guessing purely out of design simplicity than anything else.

**moeed** · 10-15-2009, 02:01 AM

Originally posted by kaynmantis View Post

Traditionally, RE had the gear shift on the right side and the brakes on the wrong side, in other words, the gear shift on the wrong side and the brakes on the left side.

Newer RE had corrected this and now has the gear shift on the right side and the brakes on the right side or in other words, the gear shift on the left side and the brakes on the right side...mmm.. no wonder the designer has got it all mixed up

.

Some editing to clear confusion

Traditionally, RE had the gear shift on the right side(i.e the RHS) and the brakes on the wrong side(i.e the LHS), in other words, the gear shift on the wrong side(i.e the RHS) and the brakes on the left side(i.e the LHS).

Newer RE had corrected this and now has the gear shift on the right side(i.e the LHS) and the brakes on the right side(i.e the RHS) or in other words, the gear shift on the left side(i.e the LHS) and the brakes on the right side(i.e the RHS)...mmm.. no wonder the designer has got it all mixed up

Originally posted by kaynmantis View Post

Then I would say to shift the gear shifter on the right side i.e the left side and shift the brake from the wrong side to the right side

.

Then I would say to shift the gear shifter on the right side(i.e the LHS) and shift the brake from the wrong side to the right side(i.e the RHS)

Originally posted by jd666 View Post

im guessing that since the gearbox was a separate unit in those designs and still is in the bullet, to reduce the number of seals and issues to route the gear shaft through the clutch casing, the gear shift was kept on the left and the brake on the right.

Because if the gearshift was to be on the left, the clutch casing would have to be drilled through and seals put that could/would leak.

Im guessing purely out of design simplicity than anything else.

I guess you wanted to say that it was the other way round.

**vijaycool** · 10-15-2009, 09:02 AM

My opinion differs from you all. LHS brake is more technical and logical for British. Most of them are left handers which means their left leg and hand moves first incase of emergency situation also they have more power on the left side. This is where the braking needs more leverage and quick action during emergency.
We right handers feel awkward when we use left brake as it requires more power and control which our left leg lacks.

**prakash_mvpa** · 10-15-2009, 09:25 AM

^

?Do you mean most britishers are Left Handed?

**ashokrajagopal** · 10-15-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by vijaycool View Post

My opinion differs from you all. LHS brake is more technical and logical for British. Most of them are left handers which means their left leg and hand moves first incase of emergency situation also they have more power on the left side. This is where the braking needs more leverage and quick action during emergency.
We right handers feel awkward when we use left brake as it requires more power and control which our left leg lacks.

You're kidding, right ??
That would mean around the 50s and 60s UK was full of lefties, and in the last two decades they are all righties ??
(Electra EFI, Deluxe and the new Classic all comes with LHS gear shift)

**prakash_mvpa** · 10-15-2009, 06:02 PM

^I think All Motorcycle Models including Japs took the LHS Gearshift option after US Motor Rules Forced all to do so.Remember,Our Royal Enfield Bullets were also sold there before 1970s under "Indian" Brand.

**rahul9985** · 10-15-2009, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by moeed View Post

Some editing to clear confusion

Traditionally, RE had the gear shift on the right side(i.e the RHS) and the brakes on the wrong side(i.e the LHS), in other words, the gear shift on the wrong side(i.e the RHS) and the brakes on the left side(i.e the LHS).

Newer RE had corrected this and now has the gear shift on the right side(i.e the LHS) and the brakes on the right side(i.e the RHS) or in other words, the gear shift on the left side(i.e the LHS) and the brakes on the right side(i.e the RHS)...mmm.. no wonder the designer has got it all mixed up

Then I would say to shift the gear shifter on the right side(i.e the LHS) and shift the brake from the wrong side to the right side(i.e the RHS)

I guess you wanted to say that it was the other way round.

U are a genius man. Now i understood.

**xionite** · 10-15-2009, 10:48 PM

Nice thread title!

Wonder why there's no proper answer yet!

**abhijeet080808** · 10-15-2009, 11:15 PM

^^ Because its all arbitary!

**xionite** · 10-15-2009, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by abhijeet080808 View Post

^^ Because its all arbitary!

sure... there may not be a technical reason...

but... still wondering "why the switch."

**sudharma** · 10-16-2009, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by xionite View Post

sure... there may not be a technical reason...

but... still wondering "why the switch."

Hi Guys,
Found an interesting reference to why Britishers shift with "Right Foot". Its given below:-

"According to A Brief Biography of British Bikes by George MacDonold Fraser:

... In 1927 Spagthorpe introduced a model specifically designed to be ridden by the more fashionable ladies of polite society. Originally designated the “Miniature Collie,” the bike became known by the more descriptive name of the “Side-Saddle.” Since it was an established fact that no polite lady would straddle a throbbing piece of machinery (in public), Spagthrope engineers fitted a custom side-saddle seat to a 175cc one-cylinder bike. Because motorcycles are traditionally mounted from the left in Britain, the side-saddle was configured to have both control pedals on the left side of the frame. It was deemed much easier to put the shifter lever in front of the brake lever, thus the British penchant for shifting with the right foot (which would be forward while riding “Side-Saddle”) was born.

Also there was explanation of How come British drive on the LHS of the road. This is also very interesting reading and very valid.
The URL is Given Below. Read it and come to your own conclusion which is better , Driving on the RHS of the Road Or the LHS.

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=why++have+b...e%2520left.htm

Announcement

[Help]: Left Leg breaking -- Why ?

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment