In the 70's we would switch around each other's bikes a lot. We would always tell the other rider what the shifting pattern was (one down, four up, etc.). My friend had a late 60's or early 70's Norton 750. Black and beautiful. Used to street-race it with my Suzuki GT 750. Only rode his once, but it had the shifter on the right, and I'm pretty sure the shift pattern was one up and three down. If you know of anyone who has the old English bikes and will let you ride it, see if you like it.