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Message started by voldigicam on 07/26/09 at 05:55:10

Title: General "fit" adjustment
Post by voldigicam on 07/26/09 at 05:55:10

After my longer ride yesterday, I'm starting to get a better handle on what fits and what doesn't fit as well. And other aspects of this particular bike. My back is a bit tired today, but I can't tell if the motorbike ride did it or if motorbike ride, plus hard work, plus 24 miles of steep hills on my road bicycle did it. I might just have overworked myself for one day.

I'm 5' 10.5" tall, slightly long leg/arm geometry. I am a little cramped on the bike. Not terribly, just a little. I moved around a bit yesterday and noticed how I rode.

First, I tend to ride with my tushy further back than the seat likes. I can change the seat geometry OR I can put on non-bent risers . . . Any cognizant opinions on this? Given the fairly light front end feel, I'm tempted to simply raise the front of the seat, add a cover, and change the risers. I don't think I want my CG any further back.

This all links to the foot position. Why are those pegs so short? I know, they start clicking on the pavement when one should think about less lean, rather than more! But really, with my larger feet I find I'm riding with the end of the pegs under the center of my shoe. Or more comfortable, with the balls of my feet on the pegs, toes behind brake and shift.

My S40 has the fairly straight bars, incidently.

Suggestions, successes, failures,especially from someone about my height?

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by Toymaker on 07/26/09 at 06:42:53

See Ed L. for some forward controls. I am 5'11" and I have them. Also, try raising the front of the seat up atleast 1 inch. I did 2 inches and with the 4 inches of extended foot reach, it rode, felt and sat much better.
T

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by thumperclone on 07/26/09 at 06:48:16

stock seat,1" set backs on bars,ed L forward controlls, drivers back rest.
@ 5'10 comfy enuf for 100 miles b4 a break,need gas by then anyway

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by ghstrdr110 on 07/26/09 at 06:58:00

Where'd you get a driver's backrest? I'd kill to have one.

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by paulchristi on 07/26/09 at 07:30:36

I'm 6'1" with long legs. I don't know if they make a bike big enough for me.

One easy mod that helped a lot was to raise the front of my seat...I went to the auto parts store and bought some longer bolts (2) and nested several variable diameters of hydraulic hose together so that I ended up with two - 1" long cylindrical rubber plugs with a hole in the center for the bolt. I left the rear holddown bolt on the seat alone...as a result, the seat tends to tilt toward the rear instead of toward the gas tank, much more comfy.

Paul Christiansen
Hammond, Oregon

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by alcoa on 07/26/09 at 07:43:54

Drivers back rest I got mine here. You would not believe how much better your ride will be with one. :)

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by FreeSpirit on 07/26/09 at 07:56:48

446F7C666B6F6A0E0 wrote:

Where'd you get a driver's backrest? I'd kill to have one.

This company use to have them for the Savage
I think they still do,but didnt see pics like they use to have showing the one for the Savage :-/
Although it is still listed.

http://www.protac.net/page8/about.html

http://www.protac.net/page7/page1/models.html

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by voldigicam on 07/26/09 at 08:03:59

What is a bar setback? Mine feel like they need to be further forward, I'm finding myself backing up from them.

Forward controls are just for the shifter? Brake pedal also in the way. I'll look into them.

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by verslagen1 on 07/26/09 at 09:17:40

everything you wanted to know about handlebars...

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/ImportHandlebars/ImportHandlebarsOne.html

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by thumperclone on 07/26/09 at 09:47:01

yes the backrest is protac
the set backs are 2 blocks of aluminum w/ longer screws, go between the top of the risers and receive the bars..
BORON makes them, listed in the j&p cycles
metric cat. for 99-08 yamaha venture item # zz50471

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by voldigicam on 07/26/09 at 10:26:54

Thank you. So the bars are more comfortable back and lower? I'm learning a lot quickly.

Backrest makes sense. Think I'll look for a rear seat back/backrest thingie. I saw one, was too long. 14"" Looks like a 12" one would be perfect.

So. I'm looking at:

1. changing saddle angle
2. Saddle pad/cover
3. Forward controls
4. Changing bar position (or even the bar)

Thanks!

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by verslagen1 on 07/26/09 at 10:45:43

You can reverse the risers to get the bars alittle further forward.

You can also put on a sportster seat. That will raise you up about 2". This will stretch your arms and legs alittle more.

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by thumperclone on 07/26/09 at 14:07:10

7861626A6769676D6F630E0 wrote:

Thank you. So the bars are more comfortable back and lower?

for me yes..kicked back in my easy chair.. plus i angled the back rest forward 1"
only thing more comfy is wifey on the back but that tends to get a lil sweaty this time of year ::)
next mod offset hwy pegs,the straight out set didn't work well with the forward controlls

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by voldigicam on 07/26/09 at 14:16:39

Lifting the front of the seat in the Home Depot parking lot made a big difference. I can also see how forward controls will work nicely. I tend to want to sit upright, so maybe the bars are OK where they are for now. I have the apparently late stage fairly straight bars.

Going 52.5 with holes / 150 jetting with stock exhaust worked better, too. Although I have a bit of a flat spot at the top of the pilot range before the main kicks in. It's all much better than with the old vacuum line! I used a piece of nice fuel line to replace the wimpy vacuum line. No leak!

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by Oldnewguy on 07/27/09 at 06:31:32

I just finished making a padded drivers back rest for my 96. Two hours work and scrap parts plus $10. Looks great and works greater. I am writing up instructions with pics for anyone interested.

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by dumdum30 on 07/27/09 at 21:01:54

I just made and installed foward controls today. Its like a new bike. My rear end wasnt numb when i got home from work. I would be intersted in seeing the backrest you made. That may be my next project.

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by spacepirates on 07/28/09 at 07:31:14

you guys all use the stock seat, or is there a decently priced alternative?

gotta keep the passenger seat though, my girl likes to ride.

I ride back and forth between Pittsburgh and Erie decently often (125 mi. / about 2 hrs) and my bum hurts real bad 45 minutes in. I have typically just toughed it out till i need a gas break, stretched, and tried my best to ignore it the rest of the way.

I'm considering forward controls and/or highway pegs (already have the highway bars from a previous owner who "lost" the pegs), but might switch up the seat too.

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by Oldnewguy on 07/28/09 at 14:40:28

I will probably get it together in a day or two. I am not sure how or where I should post it? New topic on "rubber side"?

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by Tonydtiger1971 on 07/28/09 at 14:52:08

I would be interested in seeing how the back rest was made. Right now I'm trying to mod some hwy bars to fit the bike with pegs added for leg stretching.

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by Oldnewguy on 07/29/09 at 03:57:50

I will probably be able to get that posted by Sunday. I have to take the seat off to get a couple of pics of the brackets, etc.

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by 91 UK SAVAGE on 08/08/09 at 01:45:46

hi is that a savage trike you have got? if so have you any more pics?

thanks

Title: Re: General "fit" adjustment
Post by Oldnewguy on 08/08/09 at 12:58:05

That's a Voyager kit on a 96 Savage. It is not a true trike in that the rear wheel is still on. The difference is about $21,000.
More pics.
http://1.bikepics.com/pics/2009/08/08/bikepics-1749134-240.jpg
http://1.bikepics.com/pics/2009/08/08/bikepics-1749141-240.jpg