For those of you out there with home made forward controls

Re: For those of you out there with home made forward contro

redneck any pics? if what your are saying about position is true why not just move them out with spacers and longer bolts?

 

Re: For those of you out there with home made forward contro

redneck any pics? if what your are saying about position is true why not just move them out with spacers and longer bolts?

 

That's exactly what I did. Control is not an issue and neither is riding position. I believe there are pictures in my gallery on here of them, if not, I'll dig some up because I know I've taken them before.

 

Johno8, that is a lovely ride and I'd like to see some additional photos that show the whole bike along with closer shots of other interesting aspects of it.

I've been looking at various new bikes over the last 12-18 months and while I like the look of bikes with this type of setup, I don't find it very comfortable (some riders look downright UNCOMFORTABLE) and have questions about maintaining control of the bike during emergency braking. It seems like you would either slide up on the tank (maybe to the instrument cluster or handlebars) or wind up trying to brace with your feet, increasing the pressure on the rear brake even more and losing control of the bike.

I'd appreciate some education on this.

 

AnnieOakley:

If you go into my gallery, you'll find lots of pics before, during, and after rebuilding it. As far as the comfort of fwd controls, it's really a personal choice. I installed them on my Venture and loved them, so building them for my chopper was given. I like the position it places me into because my legs are stretched out and they don't cramp up. I've had some quick stops and have not felt the tendency to ride up the tank at any point. Once you get used to the handling of the bike with fwd controls, it becomes natural...take a friend's bike out for a test ride that has fwd controls for a couple of hours. You'll find out whether they are for you or not.

 

Re: For those of you out there with home made forward contro

Here are the photos... I think they're both of the left side, but the other side's virtually the same save for the linkage. These are old pictures, but the setup is still the same. 10" bolts, spacers, and the rest are all XJ parts. Linkage on that side is from an FZR (since one side is reverse-threaded), linkage for the brakes are home-made.

 

Oh, and it was pointed out last time I posted those that there maybe some issues with shifting because of the angle of the linkage, but it's been a couple years now and I've had zero problems even on 200+ mile rides. Who knows.

 

Re: For those of you out there with home made forward contro

Yes, it does take a bit of trial and error to get the linkage adjusted so it's fit your foot. I had to adjust mine after buying new boots because the sole was thicker. But boy is that the cats meow compared to the stock location. I hated riding with my feet under me, it just didn't feel natural.