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Message started by manitoulinbob on 04/10/11 at 08:21:11

Title: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/10/11 at 08:21:11

we had the S40 out for the first time yesterday. (i bought if for my gf so she would be able to ride with the rest of the gang.)

ran into an issue that i am hoping someone might be able to offer suggestions. the bike is perfect for her since she is small. however, being small she also has small feet ... when her boots are comfortably on the foot pegs she can barely reach the brake and shift levers (just catching them with the tip of her toe). it has her feeling less in control of the bike than she is comfortable with.

does any one know if there are shorter after market shift and brake levers available on the market?? i have seen longer levers for other bikes ... but have yet to see ones that are shorter than OEM. (the bike is currently completely stock)

thanks,

Bob

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/19/11 at 17:48:15

ok ... guess nobody has put on modified brake or shifter controls.

so how about floor boards ... can anyone share experience with floor boards installed on the S40??? i am looking for options/suggestions that will get a very small set of boots in a riding position which offers better control over the brake and gear shift levers.

any thoughts or suggestions?

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by bill67 on 04/19/11 at 18:02:19

One of the suzuki gel seats pushes you forward 2-3 inches might help her. The pillow one.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/19/11 at 18:26:56

actually never thought to look at it from the seating position vs the foot postion. will get her on the bike this weekend and consider that possible option.

with that said, looking at her on the bike it seems to be the span between the foot pegs and the shifter & brake pedal that is the issue. the brake pedal especially is only being caught by the tip of her toe rather than the "ball" of her foot.

the sitting position is certainly worth looking at ... but i think i am still going to be modifying either the foot pegs or the pedal & shifter in some way.

thanks for the suggestion.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by bill67 on 04/19/11 at 18:32:32

How tall is she.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/19/11 at 18:36:03

5' ... maybe 5'1" with boots on ...

this was the only bike we found where she could touch the ground comfortably. the bike is a great fit for her ... it is the tiny little boots that are causing me grief.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by bill67 on 04/19/11 at 18:37:53

Were do you live.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/19/11 at 18:40:20

northern part of Ontario, Canada

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by bill67 on 04/19/11 at 18:42:06

what do you think it would cost to sent one from Wisconsin.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/19/11 at 18:51:49

you mean to send a set of levers (brake and gear)? not sure ... but i just ordered some parts for my own bike from FL and that cost about $13 postage (and the levers would be similar size to what i just ordered in so postage would be similar).

have been watching ebay etc for gear and brake levers. the obvious solution would be to keep the stock set and modify (likely just shorten) a replacement set. cut an re-weld shorter maybe?? would likely make for some ugly looking foot controls but guess they could always be painted black or flat black.

i will figure something out. i am surprised nobody has run across this before.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by bill67 on 04/19/11 at 18:54:50

I have a pillow seat at 5 6 it made me to close to the foot pegs.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by babyhog on 04/19/11 at 18:54:50

There are floorboads, use your search function, J&P cycles if i remember right. Im using my phone which is hard to search or I'd find it for you. Also i would bet there is an adjustment that can be made. My son's brake is much higher than mine (my '06, his '87) so dont give up. I'm 5'2" size 6 1/2 boot and I have trouble on his but no problem on mine.
Good luck

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/19/11 at 18:57:14

Torch, welder,, adjust length to fit the little lady's foot?

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/19/11 at 19:06:08

Bill67 ... thanks for the suggestions. i will certainly look at the seating position and see if that might help with the pillow seat.

good suggestion about adjustment of the levers. will have a closer look at that this weekend too. floor boards was my first thought initially, but then i figured that might make for too much of a leg stretch. so perhaps the pillow seat to move her forward in addition to the floor boards??

and like i said, maybe doing some custom modification to the levers is the simplest of the options available.

thanks guys. i appreciate the insight.

Bob

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by bill67 on 04/19/11 at 19:09:47

My guess the cost to sent seat would be about $30 PM me your address and I will send you the seat if you like it send me $30.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/19/11 at 19:21:47

will get her on the bike this weekend and check to see if a change in the seating position would make a change for the better. if it looks like it could be the solution, or part of the solution, i will send you a message about the seat. thanks for the offer, it is appreciated.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by bill67 on 04/19/11 at 19:30:05

That brake pedal can be adjusted you can bring it back a little,Look at it and you will see how to bring it back.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by babyhog on 04/20/11 at 05:40:56

Here are the ones from J&P Cycles that a few people have used. http://www.jpcycles.com/product/5500000 Inexpensive and good looking, and easy enough to adapt to the bike, I believe.

http://img0.jpcycles.com/product/5500000_A.jpg

But... how does she feel about floorboards? I love the way they look and thought about buying some, but decided I feel better control with my boot "hooked" on a peg, being a smaller female, I guess. But maybe that's just me. I'd let her decide. Options are all good though.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by MotoBuddha on 04/20/11 at 11:37:29

Do her riding boots have heels? If so, the pegs would naturally fall into the instep. So maybe flat-soled boots are an answer. That way she'd have more options where her feet could rest, putting more of her toe area on/under the levers.

Or you could try building up the top of the pegs so her feet rest where she needs them.

Or you could have someone like a wrought iron guy bend up some custom pegs -- ones that have a jog in them.

But the cut-weld-rechrome option seems the easiest.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by manitoulinbob on 04/24/11 at 18:02:05

tried the suggested adjustment (made by Bill67) today and adjusted the setting screw on the brake lever. using the screw i moved the brake lever up towards the peg as much as it would go. not much of a change, but just enough so that at least the toe of her boot now connects solidly with the brake pedal. could still use a further tweaking, but for now at least she is out and riding. :) will still look at a custom mod on the brake and shift levers for for the moment this is workable. thanks guys.

Title: Re: after market brake and shift levers
Post by bill67 on 04/25/11 at 04:15:19

You can get a little rubber brake pad made for a ford emergence brake petal that you can glue on that works good and makes it a little closer and looks good.Most auto stores carry them.