Switching hand controls

Britbike850 · Sep 4, 2020

Wondering—
Has anyone tried and been successful at switching sides ...throttle/master cylinder with the clutch controls?

I will be making more measurements with the clutch..This weekend...

I can pull the clutch with my left two finger now but for how long...I am not sure...Reason? I have total strength in my right hand...and a cruise control lever so I can use my wrist for throttle-front brake is 1 finger... so the “reason” for the question

probably something I am missing,
Rod

Ron L · Sep 4, 2020

Do you mean clutch on the right hand and brake/throttle on the left? With the stock master cylinder it would be mounted upside down, so I don't believe it wold work. A clutch master cylinder could be used, but then you would have a problem with the stock switchgear.

robs ss · Sep 4, 2020

Britbike850 said:
Wondering—
Has anyone tried and been successful at switching sides ...throttle/master cylinder with the clutch controls?

I will be making more measurements with the clutch..This weekend...

I can pull the clutch with my left two finger now but for how long...I am not sure...Reason? I have total strength in my right hand...and a cruise control lever so I can use my wrist for throttle-front brake is 1 finger... so the “reason” for the question

probably something I am missing,
Rod

....but
Have you considered the, quite possible, disastrous consequences of pulling in the clutch when you really wanted to stop - maybe very quickly!
Personally - I wouldn't go there.
Cheers
Rob

RoadScholar · Sep 4, 2020

robs ss said:
....but
Have you considered the, quite possible, disastrous consequences of pulling in the clutch when you really wanted to stop - maybe very quickly!
Personally - I wouldn't go there.
Cheers
Rob

A lot of hardwire re-programming needed. I agree with Rob that even one second in an emergency is more than enough to cause serious injury.

However, you may well have the mental ability to make this possible. Purchasing a hydraulic clutch master (left hand control) is easy enough, and they, generally have the same bore size as the equivalent brand brake bore (I'm thinking Brembro), the twist grip may be a bit more difficult unless you feel comfortable rolling the throttle forward, but your left wrist may pick that up because it doesn't have to unlearn anything.

A single Mikuni will require much less effort then the twin Amals, considerably less expensive as well.

Best.

kommando · Sep 4, 2020

I would be looking at another solution such as a servo action as cars have on brakes which would mean starting with a hydraulic clutch.

Fast Eddie · Sep 4, 2020

robs ss said:
....but
Have you considered the, quite possible, disastrous consequences of pulling in the clutch when you really wanted to stop - maybe very quickly!
Personally - I wouldn't go there.
Cheers
Rob

And the opposite... slamming the front brake on full when changing gear...

Not to mention what an insurance company might say in the event of such an incident...

I wouldn’t go there either.

Mike40M · Sep 5, 2020

I don't think it's that hard reprogramming yourself. Only more defensive riding. Assuming other riders/drivers intends to run you over .
When I was a dispatch rider, left side gear lever. Off duty riding Norton with gear lever on the right side.
Nowadays race a Honda, a Yamaha and a Norton in different classes.

MexicoMike · Sep 5, 2020

robs ss said:
....but
Have you considered the, quite possible, disastrous consequences of pulling in the clutch when you really wanted to stop - maybe very quickly!
Personally - I wouldn't go there.
Cheers
Rob

I often shift when meaning to apply rear brake and visa versa on the Norton vs my other bikes!

BUT, making that mistake is, at worst, annoying. Mistaking the clutch for the brake could kill you!

So I wouldn't do it either!

Might be time for a Dual Clutch - like the Honda Africa Twin. I pooh-poohed the concept until I rode my wife's AT, very impressive! Sadly, I doubt anyone is going to make an aftermarket dual clutch transmission for a Norton Commando!

DevonNorton · Sep 5, 2020

Rod
I'm with the others who advise against such a radical change.
Reminds me too much of the death of the experienced racer Robert Dunlop. With modified controls to work around his injuries from a previous crash, he inadvertently grabbed the front brake instead of the clutch at the 2008 North West 200 when his engine seized.
Hydraulic clutch sounds like a good option to try.
Andy

ludwig · Sep 5, 2020

A foot clutch?
Shouldn't be too difficult to make..

robs ss · Sep 5, 2020

Mike40M said:
I don't think it's that hard reprogramming yourself. Only more defensive riding. Assuming other riders/drivers intends to run you over .
When I was a dispatch rider, left side gear lever. Off duty riding Norton with gear lever on the right side.
Nowadays race a Honda, a Yamaha and a Norton in different classes.

Yes Mike - do-able but..
Regardless of make, country of origin, etc, etc
We've all been programmed to pull the front brake with our right hand.
I would suggest it may be very difficult to re-program, especially in an emergency.

storm42 · Sep 5, 2020

There was a guy at Teeside last Monday on a Paul Smart Ducati, he had throttle, brake and clutch all on the left bar, he was going OK.

Would fitting the clutch under the brake work for you?

For safety, you could consider a thumb operated front brake along with the clutch on the right.

Something like this could be made to fit under the throttle and allow a clutch where the brake was.

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maylar · Sep 5, 2020

ludwig said:
A foot clutch?
Shouldn't be too difficult to make..

It's been done before and parts are available -
https://bikerdirect.com/forward-control/foot-clutch-control

EstuaryBoy · Sep 5, 2020

Britbike850 said:
Wondering—
Has anyone tried and been successful at switching sides ...throttle/master cylinder with the clutch controls?

probably something I am missing,
Rod

I'd be tempted to say: 'Common sense' but it's a free world so good luck with your endeavours, but remember there are other road users out there....
PS: There was/is a one armed biker locally who had all controls on one side, so anything's possible..

Disabled Motorcycle Riders Adaptations – Motorcycle Adaptations For Physically Disabled Riders

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marshg246 · Sep 5, 2020

Britbike850 said:
Wondering—
Has anyone tried and been successful at switching sides ...throttle/master cylinder with the clutch controls?

I will be making more measurements with the clutch..This weekend...

I can pull the clutch with my left two finger now but for how long...I am not sure...Reason? I have total strength in my right hand...and a cruise control lever so I can use my wrist for throttle-front brake is 1 finger... so the “reason” for the question

probably something I am missing,
Rod

I would think it hard to use the throttle, clutch, and front brake all at once with one hand. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a one-arm rider who does it though.

Just a thought - not sure how hard it would be. An electrically activated hydraulic clutch could resolve your issue. In other words, a push-button clutch. I guess it would take a small pump that releases pressure when not running and an existing hydraulic clutch kit.

It may be that the hydraulic clutch alone would solve your problem.

Switching hand controls

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