Topic: change from right to left shift.

[fuzzybutt]

what year did triumph change their bonnevilles to left hand shift? i am thinking about a bonneville as the next project.

[tom8Toe]

1975
Trident NT160 electric-start model announced. In March, Meriden workers' cooperative started manufacturing of 750cc Bonnies and TR7V Tigers resumes in Meriden
Tiger and Bonnie are made with left-hand shift pedals for US market to meet new American legislation. Right-hand shifts were still available as factory modifications - at extra cost.

[fuzzybutt]

wasnt the only bonneville at that point the 750?

[bryanj]

Yup, but when they wanted to build a Thunderbird again they had to make it a 650 twin as that was the agreement with Ford

[Raul CB750K1]

Yup, but when they wanted to build a Thunderbird again they had to make it a 650 twin as that was the agreement with Ford

What did Ford had to do with Triumph? Did they have the rights of the "Thunderbird" name for the Ford car? If so, what did Ford had to say about bikes? Spanish Montesa got an authorization from Chevrolet to use the "Impala" name -was it Chevrolet?-, but Chevrolet said nothing about how or what the bike should be or look like if I'm well informed.

[ColinMc]

Same year Norton switched, I think that's the year the government mandate was put in effect or something...

[dusterdude]

yep,harley had to switch the sportster over too

[Raul CB750K1]

Somewhere I read that the layout of controls in american bikes came from police specifications. The rider must be able to ride the bike with the right hand off, in case he needed to use his gun.



-ooops, I hope not to start another gun thread again- 

[bryanj]

Raul, Triumph had the "copyright" to the Thunderbird name before Ford wanted to use it and Triumph "sold" the rights to Ford except for a 650cc parallel twin and many years later Ford held them to the exact wording