I 'm trying to trouble shoot a 77 FXE. Shifter is on the left but the shift pattern is back-wards. It's 1 up 3 down. That's not right is it. I heard a while ago that if something was assembled wrong that it would shift back wards, anybody remember that?

 

Does it say "AMF" on the tank?

 

I think some in some years the shift drum was different from the fx models to the fl models. Sounds like somebody swapped in an fl trans or drum.

 

Back in the 60s I had a Triumph Tiger Cub with 1-up, 3-down shifting. Also had the British design of brake on the left, shifter on the right. After a while I got used to it and didn't even think about it. As long as the shifter works fine, I would leave well enough alone. You've got a conversation item!

 

every time you shift the wrong way it's a conversation piece, thanks for all the ideas

 

Something is wrong. The last reverse shift they made was in the early 70's and I believe it was on a sporty with the shifter on the right side. Someone has switched something on you here.

P.S. I didnt't really edit your first post. I clicked on the wrong button when I quoted you.

 

1975 was the year they move the shifter from the right to the left as mandated by the fed gov.[:-]Riding BSAs and Triumphs I like the left hand shift. You could catch 2nd mid way in a left hand turn across traffic and still have your foot down in case it slide a little.

 

If the shift arm on the ratchet is pointed up it will have a reverse pattern. If you can remove it and point it down and get the linkage to reach it will shift in a normal pattern.

AJ

 

AJ is right. Back in the old days some guys would change the shift pattern by reversing the drum shifter cover. Makes it harder for someone to steal your ride was the mentality, Also was cool to be different and laugh yer *** off when you let abuddy take it for a ride!!!! You gotta pull the primary off to fix.
Ride Free!!!!

 

My 1974 FXE Superglide had one up, three down. Stock for that year. This pattern was favored by racers. In 1975 the the federal government mandated all shifters on bikes sold in the USA to be on the left side. Harley went to one down, three up in 1975. Yes, you can move the shiftdrum "up-side-down" to change the pattern. I personally liked the one up, three down.

Besides reversing the shifter drum cover, using a FL shifter cover will do the same
thing on an FX.