Adjustable Shifter Mod on 86 VFR700

Ever since I bought this bike I could never get the shifter adjusted where I needed it as it could only adjust in large increments. If I rotated it lower, the angles were too steep, it would bind up and you couldn't lift the lever. I knew the Police models had multi-piece adjustable shifters, but those parts are super rare.

Then I saw Redbeast840's race bike and he had a multi piece shifter so he could do a reverse pattern shift. If you want a reversed shift pattern and have no side stand, then it is an easy conversion. If you want a regular shift pattern and a side stand, it's a bit more complicated as the side stand and frame are right in the way.

I used CBR600F2 parts (front shifter arm that mounts to the transmission and the adjustable rod) combined with a Hayabusa shift lever (just because it's a nicer part). I formed a cone shaped extension and welded it in place to extend the front shifter arm about 3/4" out to clear the frame. I then bought a replacement rod end and used a long bolt to connect it.

I cut out a shifter mounting plate from 1/8" aluminum and bolted it behind the foot peg mounts. (EDIT: I'm going to replace it with 1/8" steel and weld the mounting bolt to it for better durability.)

I bought a used Hayabusa shifter and pivot mount and bolted them to the mounting plate. It needed to be shimmed out so the shifter cleared the foot peg mounts.

The side stand got right in the way so I unbolted it and built up some metal with my welder where it makes contact with the mount so it doesn't tuck up so high. I then slowly removed metal to raise it to the right spot.

The shifter feels great. I can fine tune it for perfect, solid shifts every time.

Parts Cost:
Used F2 parts $18
Rod end $6
Hayabusa shifter $20
Hayabusa pivot mount $9




This is about a 1/2" extension. It needs to be closer to 3/4". I added a few washers to extend it out further.

 

That's very creative; my one gripe about my 5th gen is just the same, the two spline positions are not right for me, somewhere in between would be so much better.


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Nice work! Glad to see it's working for you.

 

Maybe my early modification would work for you. I notched and bent the lever then welded it to get that "half a spline" adjustment. I also added a raised section to the left foot peg to lift it about 1/2". This worked well enough for me to upshift, but I could never get a "solid" upshift. Plus I still had to lift my foot to get on top of the shifter to press down. It worked okay for 2 years. This adjustable setup is the best by far.

 

Thanks Jason, I might just give that a go. Your bike is beautiful by the way, I had a 750 like that back in the day. Honda were really on top of the colouring game with the '86 700/750 in the pearl white or red/white/blue.