from another newsgroup (re brake configuration)

I don't swap between the two, I configure all my bikes the European
way. Were not all Brit bikes the other way round Rear brake/Gearshift
until the last batch of NVT offerings circa 1977?(Commando/Bonneville/Trident)

and also some early 80's Italian bikes?

 

(martin) spouted the following in

The guy is discussing handlebar levers not foot controls.
And yeah, the MKIII commandos and triumphs swapped the gearshift to the
left to comply with the american import regs in the '70's.

 

I'd suggest the OP was discussing bicycles not motorbikes as well.

There are a few reasons for bicycles having the brakes swopped round.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html#whichside

The main one for America was down to the American safety lobby
thinking that having the most powerful brake in the most powerful
hand[1] was a recipe for people going over the bars. So they made it
law that bikes sold in the States must have the front brake on the
left (supposedly non-dominant) hand.

I agree with Sheldon about dominant-hand operating front brake,
myself.

[1] Given that most people are righthanded.

 

Having looked, I do too

(for those too lazy or browser challenged; dominant hand is also
the more skillful hand so let that one operate the more critical
control)

Is it common for lefties to swap them over?

 

William Grainger wrote

Not really, most of us are used to it being a kin right handed world.
Us lefties just carry on uncomplaining, continuing to prove that we are
more dextrose.

 

Bah.

This getting a bit too sugary for my liking.

 

Very. Every serious rider I know who is lefthanded has their front
brake on the left.

 

Fruct off.

--

Dave

GS 850 x2 / SE 6a
SbS#6? DIAABTCOD#16 APOSTLE#16? FUB#3
FUB KotL OSOS#12? UKRMMA#19

 

Yeah right.

 

Cool. I've learnt something today. That means I can go back to sleep...

 

s'funny, I never had you pegged as a commie.

 

Well - they already annexed California..

Phil

 

You can add me to that list ;o)

Currently I'm very peeved because Logitech and M$ do not make LH versions of
their trackball products.

 

If you're left-handed do you have to swap the left & right mouse buttons
around?

 

Like thats going to decrease the ennui..

Phil

 

Snap

 

Hog

Although a strong leftie myself I always use/d my right hand
for the mouse. I s'pose it has the advantage that I can use [1]
any computer equally well.

[1] s/use/abuse/ on many occasions though.

 

It started about bicycles but then I realised there was a similar
split with foot controls on motorbikes hence the x over.ISTR Laverdas
were once with the foot controls on either side. Also, do any
manufacturers use the idea the Moto Guzzi had of one brake control
applying both brakes in the correct proportions or was it patented?
forget whether it was the lever or pedal that did it)

 

And me! however, I don't change over my brake. I play guitar the usual
way round. I use right handed scissors and pens. This is a Good Thing,
as it means I am almost ambidextrous (or ambisinistral, perhaps). It
is my contention that lefties _have_ to get used to using their right
hands, which righties don't.

Wake up, Andy, come on, don't leave us.

Slap, wake up yer bugger.

--
Marina Mayes - Reading, UK. To email me remove XX from my address
XV535, GPZ500S (for sale), SR250 (shared). BOTAFOT12, BOD#2, BOTAFOS#2.
KotLBOD#s, KotLBOTAFOS#s,IMC#2, Tart#10-19, SR#3
Original Sinergy - wicked T-shirts for a wicked world: www.originalsinergy.com
I never give in to fear or blackmail; I always give in to temptation.
www.pericles.demon.co.uk
"You're a national treasure" - porl, 18.1.03

 

Andrewr At Work :

Hehehehehe.