forward controls

So im starting my work on my forwars controls, and im just curious for all of you guys that have made your own forward controls what kind of brake pedal are you using? Ive been looking around a lot of places but I cant seem to find one that i think would work right. I really like the pedal that johno8 has on his bike but i just cant seem to find anything like that one. Im sure one of you guys on here knows exactly where to find one and it will make me look stupid but for some reason i just cant find one. Thanks for the help. Oh and by the way thank you johno8 for the drawing of your forward control bracket its a huge help.

 

I am about to be making my own forward controls.. as i have looked everwhere and they seem to cost about 50 times more than the bike... So a custom job will do nicely if you ask me..

 

theres some that pop up on ebay for 170 bucks.... i forget the company name, they have a website too

 

well if you ever find the link please post it please... but I will have to fabricate my own otherwise.. which is not a big deal.. but for that price you cant complain too much.

 

I picked up the pedals at a local bike shop from their used parts bins from wrecked bikes. I paid about $30 for the shifter levers AND the brake lever...they are from old Harley stock they had kicking about. Why buy new when we can recycle?

 

Can't get to the 'Bay at the moment, but search for "TC Bros. Choppers". They've got listings for 650's and 750's (though I don't know if there's actually any difference).

They look pretty nice; couple of folks on here have them and seemed to be pretty happy with the setup.

Here's one picture with them on:
http://xjbikes.com/coppermine/displayim ... pos=1.html

john08's design is really nice as well, and if I can get access to some fabricating tools, I'll try to make a similar set to save myself some $$ (Hmm, maybe this would be a good time to take another welding class at the community college; hey, free use of the plasma cutter and welders, right?). If not, well, the TC ones are cheaper than paying a machinist to make the brackets as a one-off...

 

I'm making my own. I saw the TC bros controls and thought they were a little closer to the seat than I'd like. I'm 6'4. So I got to drawing some up. I can sent the CAD file along if you like (acad 07). You can see a picture of their design here http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=22150.html in my build thread. I'm waiting on the steel order to begin work. I'm making my own pedals and pegs.

 

When I made mine I re used the original controls. I made a flat plate they would bolt to and welded round tube to it and welded the tube to my frame. Turned out pretty good. And didn't cost a dime.

 

streetbrawler Do you have close up pictures? can't realy see the controls in the picture in your gallery.

 

I originally looked at the TC Bros ones but thought I'd be happier with a set up that used floorboards...glad I did! Besides, there's nothing better than making something yourself and loving the end result. Only wish the snow would go away!

 

I thought about making some with a floorboad as well, like maybe use some auto gas petals from aftermarket parts.

 

When fabricating your own forward controls, you will more than likely have to make your own shift levers and brake levers.
I found it was easier to get an idea how they're made on other bikes, so you may want to go copy some ideas at your local bike showroom. I have a Honda Shadow that has factory forward controls on it, so I already had a prototype to go by.
First you will need some kind of support bracket coming off the frame (for the levers to pivot on) I used the front motor mounts to bolt my brackets to, using 1/2" longer bolts. My pedals are from other bikes that I had to do some customizing to for them to work properly.
When you get that done, you will want some kind of footpeg mounted to figure out the angle of your levers, so they work with your foot angle. That's probably the hardest and time consuming part of the project.
Then finally making the shift rod and brake rods to make everything work. I used 1/4" rod for the shifter. i threaded the ends about 1" long, so there is room for adjustment (you'll need that) and 3/8" rod for the brake rod. It needs to be stronger or it will bend whenyou apply the brakes.
Here's mine:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/Pa ... 0_1560.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/Pa ... 1471-1.jpg

 

I will work on it, I have yet to get them resized to work on here.

 

http://www.xjbikes.com/coppermine/displ ... ize=1.html

http://www.xjbikes.com/coppermine/displ ... ize=1.html

 

Hey PainterD, like those controls. Nice diamond cut on the fins!

 

yes it is tc bros. choppers i have a set they are so easy to intall and they work great

 

Orange-n-Black,
Thank you! The fins were made to look like Diamond cuts. I got the idea when attending a bike show a couple years ago, and noticed all it was is the fins are cut at two angles with a small grinder, so....
I got home and took the Dremel tool with a cutting wheel on it and got started. First pass was at a 45 degree angle like this: ////////
The second pass was at the other 45 degreee angle like this: \\\\\\\\
So when I was done, it turned out like this: XXXXXXXXXX on each fin, so it glistens in the sun light, looking kinda like diamond cuts.
And by painting the fins flat black, they stand out alot better.
It's just another one of those things I wanted to try out and it turned out fairly well. It would look better if I would have measured and marked the fins to get the lines spaced just right (some of mine are too close together) And depth control of the Dremel tool is very important...if you decided to try it. PD

 

Thought about it but I think I'll put it on the back burner for now. Thanks for the idea.

 

TC Bros. Chopprts, LLC (.com)

 

TC Bros. Choppers, LLC..... $175.00

 

Do you guys think the controls from TC Bros. Choppers are worth it?? 175 sounds steep. Is it cheaper than making your own?

 

It is not cheaper than making your own. I'm beginning my fab work tonight and should have some new pictures on my build thread. I'm finally dug out of this Maryland snow and picked up a cylinder for my welder.

 

It'll be cheaper for me, but that's because all the parts needed will be in the scrap bin at work. Bwwuuaahhhhahahaha!

 

I guess it all boils down to if you like to fabricate stuff (as I do) and have access to the raw metal to make them out of. Of course it's cheaper to just make your own forward controls vs just buying them (anybody can do that)
For $175, which is a fair price (as far as forward controls go, look on Ebay) You will still have to make the rods that work for your controls and get them adjusted just right.