A word of thanks...

[Walküre]

To everyone that helped with my install of the forward controls from Big Bike Things, with suggestions, pictures, etc. - thanks a lot!!

I will be riding it to work tonight, for the first time. It WAS a bit of work, had to change few things, fabricate a few things, adjust a bunch, then adjust some more, buy some bolts (lost in the crap job of packing, the shipping store did!), change some stuff out, then, adjust some more...

But, I think I got her. Won't really know until I get it out on the road. But, judging from sitting on the lift table, I'm pretty happy.

I think I'm down to installing the cruise control, and painting the bags, and maybe I can just sit back, and enjoy it for a while!!   

Thanks, again!

Roger

[OldOneEye]

Let see some photos...

[BF]

Let see some photos...

Ditto!   

[OldOneEye]

I installed the forward controls but I am not so happy with them. maybe still trying to get used to them..

Lets see yours...

[hubcapsc]

I installed the forward controls but I am not so happy with them. maybe still trying to get used to them..

Lets see yours...

They're worth getting used to. While I was trying to come up with a bracket to make my brake
pedal more comfortable, I just used what I had, and now it feels normal.

Shift side has always seemed great...



-Mike "view image to see it larger..."

[OldOneEye]

you did not use the "crash bar" add on for a peg? or did you modify it?
its the square tube thing that came with mine.

[hubcapsc]

you did not use the "crash bar" add on for a peg? or did you modify it?
its the square tube thing that came with mine.

I cut it off, and since the square tube is a standard size, I got a little black return
from Lowes that's just like the other ones that come with the kit... Instead of
cutting it off, Frank Smoak replaced the square tube with some studly angle
iron... The square tube is easy to deform if you tighten the nuts too tight...



Kuryakyn 4050s mounted "on the curve" of the bottom engine guard makes
for super comfort (for me...)...

-Mike

[Monkymate]

I have the original version (reversed shift pattern) with no modifications and all the stock pegs and lever pegs that came from BBT. I left them stock. I also have the Ultimate seat with both backrests. I love the forward controls WITH the backrest but with the drivers backrest removed it is not comfortable.  Just my 2 cents. The drivers backrest makes all the difference in the world.

[hubcapsc]

I have the original version (reversed shift pattern) with no modifications and all the stock pegs and lever pegs that came from BBT. I left them stock. I also have the Ultimate seat with both backrests. I love the forward controls WITH the backrest but with the drivers backrest removed it is not comfortable.  Just my 2 cents. The drivers backrest makes all the difference in the world.

Yep, forward controls and backrest are part of the same package... 

-Mike

[Walküre]

OK, by popular demand, got a few pics. I took Mike's lead, and tried to use my 4050's, like his. Didn't like it at all, put my knees up into my chin strap. I saw another set, that also appeared cut off, with the pegs mounted to the crash bars. I'm sorry, but the original chromed 3/4" square tubing, didn't seem to me to be up to a panic stop, or rapid decel "blip", so I was going to cut the original off. Fortunately, I had some 3/4" square laying around the shop, so made my own "replacements". I haven't powder coated them yet, so you can see them in their naked glory in the pics below. I also bought the plugs Mike was talking about, and replaced all the bolts, with polished stainless. I bought 1-1/8" clamps, and used my 4050's for the pegs. I will be replacing them with the ones, with stirrups, hopefully soon. A little more comfortable.

Still playing with adjustments. I also still need to make a longer clevis pin than the one that came with it, for the master cylinder - too short, and can't get both cotter pins in. It's a tight fit in there, so it won't fall out, but I'm not happy with it the way it is. Lathe time!!   

Anyway, I can't wait to get some serious road time - I pinched a nerve last week, and I can't ride for another few days. I've only ridden around the block a few times, to "check it out", so hopefully this weekend I can make a run for the border, and put some miles on them...the Illinois border, that is...





Again, thanks for all the help, guys.

R

[Ricky-D]

Holy crap!

That stuff looks like it is down so very low to the ground that a grinding will be ever present whenever a tight turning is contemplated.

Looks like a safety issue to me!

***

[hubcapsc]

Holy crap!

That stuff looks like it is down so very low to the ground that a grinding will be ever present whenever a tight turning is contemplated.

Looks like a safety issue to me!

***

The forward controls introduce a new first-place-to-drag. I've never dragged. Frank Smoak has a couple of times
that I know of, once had the potential to be unpleasant but he is a good rider and brought it back under control.





-Mike

[Walküre]

Holy crap!

That stuff looks like it is down so very low to the ground that a grinding will be ever present whenever a tight turning is contemplated.

Looks like a safety issue to me!

***

40 years of riding. I have drug bike parts, on every bike I have ever owned. I have drug my knee, MUCH more than bike parts, until I nailed a rock, and couldn't walk for 3 months. I know about dragging parts.

Took me 2 weeks to drag my plumb-stock Valk standard. It dug in enough to almost go out from under. Slid on steel a bit, before going back to rubber. Not the worst I've ever had, but a wake up call.

I do not ride a Valk, to drag parts. Perhaps it's me, compared to the size of the bike, but NOT something I relish doing again. Some bikes are made to wear the chicken strips completely off. Sure, the Valk can do it, but why? It is NOT a sport bike, nor a sport/cruiser. It is a cruiser. I don't give a squat how YOU choose to ride, that's your choice, and nothing nicer than seeing ANY bike down on the pegs. Just not for me. If I want to live on the edge again, it will be a gixxer or equivalent...

That being said, close as I can figure, the forwards drop the low-point down about 1/2" or so, at least on mine. Since I won't be down there anyway, the added benefit of having forwards, FAR outweighs the possibility that I will be dragging them.

I do think the photos I took are a little misleading, as to how long they hang.

Personal choice...

[Walküre]

Hokay...question for ya, Mike, and any other's who might have an answer...

[BIG SNIP!!]

Never mind....fingered it out! I had loosened all the attachments, many times, and had inadvertently allowed the bottom to slip over 1/4", which was enough to make one of the levers, contact the crashbar, which didn't allow the shifter to go back to a relaxed position, so I couldn't shift, unless I physically returned it to the "relaxed" position, before shifting again, with my toe. Adjusted the 1/4" back, and shifts smooooothhlllyyyyy!! Think I'm going to like it, but not real happy with the long throw for the brake. I use my front a lot, anyway, but would like BOTH, so I might look into figuring out a way, to modify it, so I can get the same braking, with less throw. Not sure if I can, but it's worth a try.

If anyone has figured out a way to modify the brake throw, could save me some thought-processes - I only have SO many left...   

R


R

[Paxton]

I don't know how tall you are...

I looked into forward controls. Went to the bike shop and they suggested that because I am 5'6" forward controls would not be comfortable for me.

So I spent the money on other accessories.

[Walküre]

I don't know how tall you are...

I looked into forward controls. Went to the bike shop and they suggested that because I am 5'6" forward controls would not be comfortable for me. :'(

So I spent the money on other accessories.

Pax - I can see how that would be. I have my pegs mounted at the rear of the case guards. My knees are up in my chin a bit (6' tall, 31" inseam), but it's a long reach to the shift pedals themselves. I am thinking seriously about moving them to the FRONT of the case guards, which would stretch me out a bit more, probably a good 2 inches, as well as put me closer to the shift pedals. I'm not sure how that would work out, won't know until I try it. The problem with the clamps I have, is that they are either in front, OR behind the bars. The do make some, that aren't perpendicular, so you can have a lot more leeway in adjusting them, I just haven't bought them yet, hoping that these will work, somehow.

I do like the forward controls, but will be much better, if I can make them a little more comfortable. The other alternative, is to put "stirrups" on my pegs, so I can rest my feet at the bottom, when not shifting or stopping. If I rest my toes on the pegs, now, it's the right distance/height, but not comfortable, since there's no support. I would want something like these:





Although, THESE seem much more adjustable, and more options for putting them on the crash guards:





Trouble is, everytime I try to change my mind, it's like $100! If I can find JUST the offset, I'll give it a try, since I already have the clamp and iso peg.

Nothing good, is easy....  

R