Shorter Gear Lever

Nortonbob09 · Jan 1, 2017

For whatever reason the belt drive on my 72 Combat means that the gear box is nearly all the way forward in its adjustment. With standard foot rests I have to lift my foot forward to reach the lever when I change gear . Centre of footrest to gear lever is 6 3/4 inch , my Tiger measures 5 3/4 , Norbsa is 5 1/2 , and my Hondas measure 5 3/4 . Can anyone suggest a shorter gear lever for the Commando , is such a thing available , and what's the thinking on ideal distance between footrest and gear lever?

toppy · Jan 1, 2017

Is it not possible to get a longer belt that would allow the gearbox in sit further back in a normal position. You don't say what make of belt drive you have or where it came from maybe the supplier of it could help with belt or pulley size change options.

acotrel · Jan 1, 2017

If your gear change involves a linkage to a short lever on the gearbox and the main lever rotates on the footrest, it doesn't matter much where the gearbox is situated, you simply extend or shorten the rod on the linkage to suit yourself.
for example :

Rohan · Jan 1, 2017

The Mk 3 Commandos stock (some/all ?) use an alloy gear lever.

Its possible to cut a bit out of it and have it alloy welded back up shorter.
With a bit of careful filing and sanding, the weld can be near invisible.

Haven't actually done this, but heard it works well.

dave M · Jan 1, 2017

There are plenty of shorter gear levers for AMC gear-boxes. I myself have several to hand. My g15 used a shorter lever as standard. What is the length of the current lever and how much shorter do you need?

Nortonbob09 · Jan 2, 2017

Thanks Guys , you're probably right and the belt is a fraction short but it's been on there for 5 years and works well . The gear box sits within its max forward / max rear positions so presumably it's in its normal position , whatever normal is on a Norton. It's a standard bike so no linkages to adjust . My lever is 5 1/2 inch , I guess 4 1/2 would be OK , although I don't know how that would affect the gear change .

dave M · Jan 2, 2017

Nortonbob09, I have just measured a short lever that I have in my workshop and it is indeed 4 1/2" long, the others which are standard Commando length are 5 1/2". I also measured a G9 that I have downstairs and that is the same length as a Commando, however I am quite sure that my G15 in the US has a short one as the distance between the engine and gearbox on both this model and the P11 is much shorter and requires an offset bottom g/box shell.

Rohan · Jan 2, 2017

I've got a 3" gear lever, on an older laydown box* - it came with a project.
I was rather dubious, but it changes quite cleanly.
It isn't always so easy to get your boot under, however, there is not much to find.

You could probably just take an oxy and apply some heat to your existing steel lever,
and put a bend in it at the length you want - and cut off the surplus.
It will blue the chrome there, but the gearlever rubber will hide most of it.

*AMC splines are smaller than earlier boxes, so the gearlevers can't be swapped over...

toppy · Jan 2, 2017

A shorter lever would mean less travel of the lever to select a gear but it means less leverage so the force required to change gear will be increased. Of course it may not be to much of a noticeable effect depending on how much you change length how stiff your change is and how sensitive your foot is.

Check out RGM website they list 3 different lengths of lever but 2 have different offset than normal (i think it is but not checked but believe that is why they mention it). As it sounds like you are trying to make your bike fit you better obviously it will be a matter of your personal preference so maybe getting an old/cheap lever to cut/weld or heat an reshape may be the best path if only to test the length you personally like best.

Matt Spencer · Jan 2, 2017

Your Not wearing rubber soled shoes , are you ? .

Best Solution is buy some winkle pickers , and the added advantge is youll look like a Spiv.

The Instep posn of various footwear effects your Toe position .

Danno · Jan 2, 2017

If you decide to weld one up as an experiment, I have two broken alloy levers (one with the spline clamp and the other with the toe lever) that could be cut-and-spliced into whatever length you need. You pay shipping and they're yours.

Nortonbob09 · Jan 2, 2017

You lot are brilliant , bigger shoes , why didn't I think of that ? I have Shepton Mallet autojumble (swap meet) coming up next month so will be on the lookout for an old lever to cut about for the ideal length . And thanks Danno , if I didn't live half a world away I would pick them up in person and buy you a beer . Bob

acotrel · Jan 2, 2017

If you don't use a linkage, a lot depends on the angle which the lever assumes in its neutral position. If you are effectively pushing up towards the pivot along the lever as you lift the lever upwards, the change will be difficult. I used a reversed gear lever on my racing Triton for many years. If the rubber rotates on the lever as you lift it with your foot, that helps.

Danno · Jan 2, 2017

Nortonbob09 said:
You lot are brilliant , bigger shoes , why didn't I think of that ? I have Shepton Mallet autojumble (swap meet) coming up next month so will be on the lookout for an old lever to cut about for the ideal length . And thanks Danno , if I didn't live half a world away I would pick them up in person and buy you a beer . Bob

Here's what I have. No clue as to what shipping would be.

Shorter Gear Lever

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