Re: 1985 Force 125 problem
The problem is not inside the engine. There is only one way to attach the control cables there--you can not do it wrong.
Now, I am not familiar with every control box but I would be willing to bet that yours has a lever that can be flipped over inside the box. Remove the control box and actuate the shift. See which lever moves the shift cable and see if that lever can be changed. If it can not be changed, then it will have two sides. Simply switch the cable from one side to the other.
Sounds like your control box was set up for operation on the other side of the boat.
On second thought, It IS possible to mix the throttle and shift cables inside the engine. However, if this were done, I believe that the engine would go into reverse no matter which way you moved the control lever and neutral would be forward. It seems unlikely, but it is worth checking.
The throttle cable will have a long quick connect fitting inside the engine, and the shift cable will have a short one. Shift cable connects to the bent shift arm and the throttle cable connects to the vertical rotating tower shaft
