Converting the 850 Mk111 to Right hand gearchange

79x100 · Oct 27, 2010

I've been thinking for some time that I'd like to swap my Mk111's foot controls over to the proper Norton side and the fact that I'm now regularly riding an older Norton is pushing me in the direction of doing it as a winter project.

I'm looking to keep the original Roadster riding position which is another reason to change as the Mk111 is a bit ungainly footrest wise.

Has anyone carried out a similar conversion, or indeed a hydraulic conversion to an earlier model ? (using standard footrests of course - I've seen a number with rear set conversions)

Any ideas on types of master cylinder, positioning etc. would be appreciated. The more 'standard' looking the better.

grandpaul · Oct 27, 2010

Do a search for "test mule" and see my solution using a Nissin 2-pot rear brake setup. Not all that much work to do; a filed-fabricated brake pedal pivot, an adapter for the caliper mount, and an adapter for the master cylinder mount.

norbsa48503 · Oct 27, 2010

This was Pete's in Sydney's solution looks right to me. For a stock look.

Converting the 850 Mk111 to Right hand gearchange

lynxnsu · Oct 28, 2010

I might know some-one you could persuede to have a go at it .
but it ll cost you some golden fluids

79x100 · Oct 28, 2010

Does this person have to be bribed with oil or malt whisky ? Would he happen to have a secret hoard of Brembo rear master cylinders ?

...and thanks for the replies chaps.

gory · Oct 28, 2010

I kn ow someone in the SE USA who would tackle this - upstate SC - if you are interested, message me

pelican · Oct 28, 2010

The gear shift is easy enough, probably need a machine shop and a welder though. Chop that crossover rod, cut a keyway in the rod, design a lever so it lines up where you want it, drill out a hole in the end, cut a keyway and thread a hole for a locking bolt like the normal levers. Might have to make the lever in multiple pieces and weld to suit. The brake a little tougher

frankdamp · Oct 28, 2010

Do you really want to shift by hand?!! I tried that on a friend's Velocette LE. What a pain.

comnoz · Oct 28, 2010

Shifting is easy, Just swap trans covers from a pre- mk3.

The cleanest brake conversion I have seen done was with a pre-mk3 footpeg , brake pedal and cable. The cable was run into the battery box where it operated a lever on a master cylinder for the original caliper. Wprked great. Jim

Coco · Oct 29, 2010

I'd go with a cable actuated master cylinder then you wont have some ugly, black MC hanging off the side of the bike. I believe old BMW's used such an MC. You could hide the MC under the tank or in the battery area as comnoz suggested. There are actually a few companies making such cable actuated MC's for the chopper crowd.

http://www.fabkevin.com/Remote%20Master.htm

Ron L · Oct 29, 2010

The cleanest brake conversion I have seen done was with a pre-mk3 footpeg , brake pedal and cable. The cable was run into the battery box where it operated a lever on a master cylinder for the original caliper. Wprked great.

On my Interstate I used a Brembo with remote reservoir bolted to a section of polished aluminum angle. The master mounts vertically with the aluminum angle bolted to the plate on the frame where the main tube terminates. I made a bellcrank and a custom brake cable. The reservoir bolts to the frame plate above the rear fender. Nothing sticks out beyond the frame tubes. I'll post a couple pictures when I get home tonight or tomorrow. Works a treat with the Brembo caliper and Brembo disc off a 900 Duc.

Ron L

comnoz · Oct 29, 2010

Now I remember who's bike that was. Jim

rvich · Oct 29, 2010

The Norton factory made that kit...it was called the MkII...! :wink:

79x100 · Oct 29, 2010

Cheers Ron, I look forward to seeing the pictures.

..and rvich...I know, I know...If I could do it all over again, I'd probably start with a Mk11 but the Mk111 has been part of my life for so long and been to so many places that it has to stay. I also have the feeling that when the dodgy knees become even worse, I might need the 'leccy 'tart.

Hand change is for the next project. It'll have George Dance kneegrips and I'm going to be practising 'over the tank' changes.

Ron L · Oct 30, 2010

Here's what I did on my 850 Interstate. It has a MkIII swingarm and wheel with a Brembo disc, caliper and master. I made the master cylinder adapter from a piece of aluminum angle that I got from my local recycling center (great source for odd pieces of aluminum or stainless). I don't have a mill, so it was done with a small bandsaw and 3M wheels. Because I am using rearsets, I used a banjo bolt with a pressure switch built in for the brake light. If you use the stock peg mounts, the stock switch may be used.

Now my Mk3 also has a Brembo disc, caliper and master, but I retained the right side shift. This master is much smaller than the Norton Lockheed and works perfectly with the Brembo caliper. This only required as small adapter plate from 1/4 inch aluminum plate and making up a new pushrod. Again, the remote reservoir can be mounted anywhere, but I chose the battery box tab.

splatt · Oct 30, 2010

Why do you have to keep the horrid mk111 foot peg?, I have never stopped to have a good look at one.I thought an earlier cover would have been an easy fix, no??

79x100 · Oct 30, 2010

Thanks Ron, lots of ideas there which is what I was hoping for. I'd like to retain the impression of a factory right foot shift rear disc set up so I shall purloin a set of earlier components and see about linking a cable to a remote reservoir master cylinder.

Ron L · Oct 30, 2010

Why do you have to keep the horrid mk111 foot peg?,

You don't. If you change the inner and outer gearbox covers you can simply use an early style foot peg mount. I posted pictures from two different machines, a Mk3 with left shift retained, and a Mk2 850 using a Mk3 swingarm and wheel.

I built the Mk3 years ago with left shift rearsets. I have often thought about converting it to right side shift, but haven't decided on how I want to seal up the shifter holes in the Mk3 primary covers.

splatt · Oct 30, 2010

Ron L said:
Why do you have to keep the horrid mk111 foot peg?,

Click to expand...

You don't. If you change the inner and outer gearbox covers you can simply use an early style foot peg mount. I posted pictures from two different machines, a Mk3 with left shift retained, and a Mk2 850 using a Mk3 swingarm and wheel.

I built the Mk3 years ago with left shift rearsets. I have often thought about converting it to right side shift, but haven't decided on how I want to seal up the shifter holes in the Mk3 primary covers.

Didn't look close enough or can't tell my left from right, does the shift mechanism go right thru and out the back of the gear bag