Reverse (GP) shift pattern conversion

15426 Views 18 Replies 9 Participants Last post by RollingThunder69, Dec 9, 2021

Kiwi Rider

Discussion Starter · Mar 17, 2018

For those of you who race a bike with reverse shift pattern and want to keep your road bike the same then it is fortunately quite easy to adapt the Ninja 400 to this set up. It's too much of a mind bend having two bikes with different shift patterns.

All you have to do is remove the linkage arm from the spline (remove one 6mm retaining bolt first) and turn it nearly 180 degrees before refitting it. I had to adjust the threaded linkage rod slightly to get my shift pedal back to the right height but if you chose your spline position carefully you should be pretty close.
If none of that makes sense then have a look at the photo below.

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It changes just as nicely in this position, it's a slick little gearbox on this bike.

I was always a bit dubious about people who said that reverse shift was better but I'm a firm believer now. You can go up through the gears so much quicker and positively when your just stomping on the pedal so to speak. You generally change down in a slower fashion so it makes sense for this action to be the one where you have to lift your foot to perform it.
Give it a try, could change your biking style for ever.

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SDM!

· #2 · Mar 17, 2018

I love the GP shift, I use it on my track bikes. However I am not sure I will change the 400, as my CB1000R is normal shift and I always confuse myself when I am on the track. Picture this your rolling about 150 KPH, shift into 5th gear and rear tire locks up. **** I forgot its not GP shift pattern on my Honda lol. To go GP shift on my CB its around $550 as I have to buy a special rearset. I will know before I go to the race track April 7th.

Thanks for the write up @Kiwi Rider

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Kiwi Rider

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 17, 2018

SDM! said:
I love the GP shift, I use it on my track bikes. However I am not sure I will change the 400, as my CB1000R is normal shift and I always confuse myself when I am on the track. Picture this your rolling about 150 KPH, shift into 5th gear and rear tire locks up. **** I forgot its not GP shift pattern on my Honda lol. To go GP shift on my CB its around $550 as I have to buy a special rearset. I will know before I go to the race track April 7th.

Thanks for the write up @Kiwi Rider

That's an expensive conversion, can you not do something cheaper by modifying the standard linkage set up? I think if you had all your bikes the same you could eliminate the issue.

SDM!

· #4 · Mar 18, 2018

@Kiwi Rider

We have looked into a cheaper conversion but haven't come up with anything yet. My shift rod on my cb is vertical as compared to the n400 horizontal. The shift linkage can't be rotated 180* either. I wish Honda would get on board with making their bikes more track friendly the way kawi does theirs.

Engine-R

· #5 · Mar 18, 2018

@Kiwi Rider, you know that you can boost the GP-Shift with a Quick-Shifter?
A quality product from a company well known for their high service-level you can find here https://www.healtech-electronics.com/products/iqse/
@SDM!, wouldn't anything like the Kit for the EX250/EX300 fit for your CBR? https://www.solomotoparts.com/Sato-Racing-Reverse-Shift-Kit-for-Ninja-300-250-13/

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SDM!

· #6 · Mar 18, 2018

2

Engine-R said:
@Kiwi Rider, you know that you can boost the GP-Shift with a Quick-Shifter?
A quality product from a company well known for their high service-level you can find here https://www.healtech-electronics.com/products/iqse/
@SDM!, wouldn't anything like the Kit for the EX250/EX300 fit for your CBR? https://www.solomotoparts.com/Sato-Racing-Reverse-Shift-Kit-for-Ninja-300-250-13/

Every bike I own has a quick shifter on it whether you GP or normal shift its the only way to go is with a quick shifter

This is not my CB1000R however they all look the same. For some reason I cant find my picture but anyways you can see in the picture the location of the linkage also the shift rod.

This is the piece I need for changing over to GP shift and they only come with rear sets that you can have normal or GP shift with that rearset

The cost to do it is just not in my price range. Here is the same site you sent to me only for the CB1000R. Thanks for looking though.

https://www.solomotoparts.com/LighTech-Adjustable-Track-System-Rearsets-Fixed-Footpegs-for-CB1000R-08-14/

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Kiwi Rider

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 18, 2018

SDM! said:
This is not my CB1000R however they all look the same. For some reason I cant find my picture but anyways you can see in the picture the location of the linkage also the shift rod.

This is the piece I need for changing over to GP shift and they only come with rear sets that you can have normal or GP shift with that rearset

Yes there appears to be too much stuff in front of the shaft to turn the arm 180 degrees, and those hoses etc would probably foul the rod as well. Hmmm.

jonfonts

· #8 · Mar 18, 2018

Nice! So all you have to do is switch the arm? No modification or extra hardware?

Kiwi Rider

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 18, 2018

jonfonts said:
Nice! So all you have to do is switch the arm? No modification or extra hardware?

No extra bits required. I was quietly pleased!

desmotesta

· #10 · May 10, 2018

thank you for this post..

Just picked up wife's bike and both her and I use GP shift

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desmotesta

· #11 · May 10, 2018

one quick note

it looks like the easiest way to flip the shifter is by unscrewing the footage bolt, allowing 1-2" space for the shifter ball to rotate and fit behind the shifter lever.

Kiwi Rider

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 10, 2018

desmotesta said:
one quick note

it looks like the easiest way to flip the shifter is by unscrewing the footage bolt, allowing 1-2" space for the shifter ball to rotate and fit behind the shifter lever.

OK, a photo to explain fully would be handy if you find the time thanks. Tells a thousand words and all that.

JFMNINJA400

· #13 · Nov 19, 2018

GP shift

I am the new kid on the block, my blue 400 will be delivered tomorrow. I am so glad it’s easy to switch to GP SHIFT. I went GP shift maybe 6 years ago and love it. To me it feels more natural flying down the straight and banging down the gears. No more false neutrals. I did it with my 07 gixxer 7 fiddy years ago and now my 06 gixxer 600. It was very easy to do on the gixxer also.:clap:

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JFMNINJA400

· #14 · Dec 7, 2018

Switched to GP shift

I made the switch tonite to the GP shift pattern. It was super easy. I looked at Kiwi’s pic in the 1st post as a guide. I went thru all the gears with the bike running and on the stands to make sure all was well. The gear shift indicator worked fine no issues. I went for a quick ride earlier in the day, kicking myself for not doing it earlier. I have ridden the bike a few times with the standard shift and I am surprised I didn’t mess up. Probably cause the shifting on the street is slower and more deliberate compared to the track. Now both my bikes are GP shift.

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J400

· #15 · Oct 11, 2019

GP shifting

How much does it cost to have your bike set up for GP shifting?

Boat

· #16 · Oct 11, 2019 (Edited)

$0.00

Just remove the shift arm and flip it...

(Edit: 180°)

JFMNINJA400

· #17 · Oct 11, 2019

I went GP shift about 8 years ago and love it! I do 90% track riding. Even on the streets less or zero false neutrals. Doesn’t cost a dime too do, just flip the shifter 180 degrees. For the 400, I went with after market rear sets and no problem with the GP shift pattern. :clap:

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Kiwi Rider

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 11, 2019

J400 said:
How much does it cost to have your bike set up for GP shifting?

:moved: See post #1 in this thread for how to.

RollingThunder69

· #19 · Dec 9, 2021

Anyone running this gp shift mod on stock pegs with a quickshifter? If so, which quickshifter fit? The clearance between the gear selector and tie rod gets pretty close with this mod so wondering which quickshifters are options without changing rear sets.

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