reverse shift pattern on 929

[lfg929]

Haven't checked here in a while.

Switching to GP shift (reverse shift) seems more natural to me. You get rid of the linkage which makes shifts feel more positive (no more slack from the linkage). Plus, as someone else mentioned, there are lots of cases where I am still leaned over quite a bit and need to shift into a higher gear. Don't want to try doing that with regular shifting while in a left hand turn, might lose a toe!

As for pics, here is one of my race bike with the VFR lever and Woodcraft rearsets:



If your rearsets came with a new linkage then it might be possible just to flip the connector upside down to reverse the pattern. I couldn't do that with the Woodcraft rearsets, but I like the VFR method better anyway since race spares are only $25 each. BTW, I have a couple of them if anyone wants them. Say $15 each plus shipping (likely only a couple bucks).

Lastly, I have the same thing done on my RC51 with stock rearsets. The main thing to insure is that you position the shift lever high enough that it does not drag under extreme lean angles in left hand turns. Getting tossed into a false neutral while fully leaned over would be bad.

[George_Linhart]

lfg929 - I'm just getting back into racing after 2 years off and will be running my 929 in the Northeast region (GTU, USS, UGP).  I'll take 2 of your spare reverse shifters.

Any specific set-up tips you can share while we are at it?  Shoot me an Email at Linhart1@prodigy.net and we can make arrangements for the shifters.

George Linhart

[lfg929]

I already sold the shift levers a while back.

As for tips, it is pretty straightforward. As I have already said though, just make sure the lever is high enough that if you get really leaned over you don't drag the lever and pop into a false neutral or actuall do a downshift. I put mine high enough that the stator cover would have to be dragging on the pavement before the shift lever would touch.

[George_Linhart]

I was thinking more of general bike set up tips.  I am definitely getting the suspension done (front and rear).  Just wondering if you found it useful to drop the front or raise the rear, stuff like that...

Let me know if you have any thoughts.

George

[lfg929]

I added 7mm to the rear end. It makes the bike a bit more twitchy but i got used to it after a couple track days. I left the front alone for the most part. My biggest issue was ground clearance. I would drag the bodywork on both sides of the bike. The thing is just too freaking wide at the bottom.

Other than that, the bike handles well. It could use a little more stability in the turns, but it is workable. I didn't have any complaints about racing the 929. If CCS ran some tracks closer to me then I wouldn't be selling the 929. Unfortunately, WERA is much more convenient so the 929 is out the door in favor of a GSXR 750.

For setup, get a rear shock and have someone work the forks. You don't have to replace them, but at least have someone breath on them a little. I had Dan Kyle do mine (they worked much better). Basically he put the proper springs in for my weight, modified the stock shims and valving, and then polished the tubes to reduce stiction.