ironmick

[lobo56]

you are the man but alast i need to mount my foward controls as you have in the picture as the good lord built the road to close to my a--. would it be possible for you to explain how you done it and what size bolts you used for the thru bolts on the motor. i have the same foward controls as you. thank you lobo

[IronMick]

I have two different sets pictured in my gallery: the '86 to '03 forward controls and the Daniel Boone forward controls. Which are you referring to?

The '86 to '03 are the best choice, at least for myself. The DBs do not work for me in their intended mounting location as my legs are not that long; i re-worked them so they mounted back behind the exhaust pipe; they do work OK but not completely satisfactory.

[lobo56]

yes sir the db,s are the ones i have thanks for the fast response

[IronMick]

I measured the stock mounting bolts and used some that were each 1/2" longer.

You can remove all 4 mounting bolts with no concern about the engine shifting. It is well held in place by the other mounting points.

Those fwd controls were on the bike when i bought it. As noted with the pics in my gallery i modified them to fit behind the exhuast pipe so i could reach them. Are you mounting them as i did? or in the intended position further forward?

The intended location pics are in my album RustyStuff; modified are in my album ForwardControls.

In the intended location you have to move the rear brake master cyl from the stock location to the bracket on the f controls. There should be a brake line in the kit to do this; otherwise you can buy one at any auto parts store.

When installing the gear shifter you should carefully consider the angle that the shifter will be at, and that the shifter actually moves thru an arc of a circle. In my Gallery, the album RustyStuff, the first pic shows the standard installation. IMO it is wrong.

When you kick back with your foot the shift lever is pushed back out of the circle, then down. The pushing back out of the circle part will wreck the shifter seal. The rod should be much shorter [about 6" shorter] so that the lever is pushed up and back thru the circle, without going down after it goes back and up.

Compare that RustyStuff pic with the last two pics in the album ForwardControls.

When arranging the brake side, it should be set up so that your foot does not have to leave the footrest to apply the brake. This may not be possible with the design of these. Note the second pic in RustyStuff; and the pic "Right Side, Upside Down Parts" in ForwardControls. The latter is better than the former, but neither fits the criteria.

Start with removing the 4 lower front engine mount bolts. Then attach the brackets with the longer bolts. Then ask some more ques if need to.

[IronMick]

For really good looking, good working forward controls for the 79 to 81 frame [and maybe 82 to 85 but i do not know], the 86 to 03 HD style are the very best choice IMO. But you do have to drill 1" diameter holes in the lower front engine mounting plates [this may take some courage - i used an extra set so i can go back], and then reinforce them - i used very large, thick steel washers for the reinforcing. Have been OK for about 10,000 miles. Pics in my gallery.

[lobo56]

i think you very much for your help. i belive you are right and i,m gonna change them tomorrow, again i think you sir for all the info and help bless you lobo

[54-FLE]

I have the DB's as well. I had to cut them, reshape them, turn them around from how they were assembled, run the master on the very outside instead of the inside etc. etc. and then painted them black to hide all the grinder marks. But they do work quite well. I built the whole bike as cheap as I could and mine being a chopper/bar hopper type I was not concerned so much with looks as with practicality and function. I even replaced the original foot pegs and welded up dirt bike running pegs kind of like J.J. has on his web site only mine cost only about 40 bucks for everything.:smoke

[lobo56]

apperciate it man i,m looking at that senerio also but leaning towards ironmick,s plan as i,m not bobing it out but i do like your chopper its quool (cool) lean and mean for the sportys right