Lowered foot pegs for your XII, more leg room

[JimK]

Well I’ve owned my Voyager XII since 1998. It was a 97 model with 1300 miles on it. I have hated the foot position from the very beginning. The floorboards with the heal toe shifter is even worse. How can such a great bike have such awful ergonomics when it comes to leg and foot positioning. I’m 6’ with a 33” inseam and when my feet are on the pegs my thighs are in an upward incline towards the front of the bike. The foot pegs are just too high. So I finally decided to see what I could do about it. With a little work the foot pegs can be lowered about 2 ½ to 3”. That doesn’t sound like much but on the bike it is a world of difference. So as I was doing this I decided to take some pictures and put together a little how to. First time doing a how to so if I miss something please ask and I will do my best to clear it up.
First side I did was the left side as your sitting on the bike. I thought that side would be the hardest. Not so. Just remove your shift lever ( one 10mm bolt). Then remove the two bolts that hold on the foot peg mountain bracket (I believe they are 12mm but I’m not sure). Now you have the foot peg off the bike you’ll see the sleeve for the shift linkage under the foot peg. We are going to remove the foot peg from the bracket and flip it 180 degrees. You will have to straighten the bend on the long end of the spring.


Here is a before and after picture.

Before, Linkage sleeve on the bottom


After, Linkage sleeve on the top


Now for the peg to fit back on you’ll have to remove a little metal between the mounting bosses on the frame (about 1/16”)

Remove about 1/16” on top between the two mounting bosses. This is to make a little more room for the linkage sleeve.

Now you can mount the foot peg back on the bike and attach the linkage. You will have to use two nuts for spacers between the foot peg and the mounting bosses to build it out about ¼”.
Re-attach your shift lever and you are done with this side.




Now for the other side. Remove the brake lever and the foot peg bracket with the foot peg attached.
I picked up some steel plate from one of the big home center stores. I think it was 4”x12”x1/4”.
You will need to cut 4 1/2'” from one end to make the extension bracket.
Then drill two holes to mount the bracket to the frame and two holes to mount the foot peg bracket to the bracket you just made. You might want to paint it black before mounting it. I tapped the mounting holes for the foot peg but you could also put nuts on the back, your choice(8mm x1.25).




Re-attach your brake pedal and you should be good.

( I suggest you just do the shifter side first and check your clearance in the turns. For me I found that riding two up the clearance was not sufficient and on a sharp turn I could drag my foot peg on the road.)

[SgtSlag]

Saved! This is actually quite simple to do. Really looking forward to trying it come Spring! Thanks for sharing! Cheers!

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

+1 on this, I am certain that there is quite a few folks on here and other forums that could and will be following your instructions to do the same.
One question for you, where you said "Remove about 1/16” on top between the two mounting bosses. This is to make a little more room for the linkage sleeve", what tool(s) did you use and can you provide an After picture of what it looks like with the 1/16" of material removed?
I'm assuming that a Dremel/rotary tool should work for this but wanted to ask what you used.

Thanks for sharing Jim.

[SgtSlag]

After thinking about it more, I'm inclined to use a plate on both sides, rather than modifying anything. That way it can be put back to OEM, if desired. Don't know if this is practical on the shift lever side, but I'm willing to explore it. Cheers, again!

[JimK]

+1 on this, I am certain that there is quite a few folks on here and other forums that could and will be following your instructions to do the same.
One question for you, where you said "Remove about 1/16” on top between the two mounting bosses. This is to make a little more room for the linkage sleeve", what tool(s) did you use and can you provide an After picture of what it looks like with the 1/16" of material removed?
I'm assuming that a Dremel/rotary tool should work for this but wanted to ask what you used.

Thanks for sharing Jim.

The amount of metal that has to be removed is very minimal. Just on top between the two bosses, it's probably only 1/32". The linkage sleeve just interferes at that point. It's so little metal I just used a file, flat on one side and round on the other. About 5 minutes with the round side of the file and you should have the clearance needed. The clearance is so you can line up the two bolt holes. Easy to do and if you ever wanted to return it to stock it would probably take an hour to complete.
After I finished I didn't beleive how easy it was. Usually I go to do a job an hit all kinds of snags. I didn't think it was as easy as flipping the peg upside down but it was.
Good luck it makes a big difference. I wish I would have done it 15 years ago.

[JimK]

After thinking about it more, I'm inclined to use a plate on both sides, rather than modifying anything. That way it can be put back to OEM, if desired. Don't know if this is practical on the shift lever side, but I'm willing to explore it. Cheers, again!

SgtSlag, you won't want to make a plate for the left side. You won't change anything that can't be put back to stock. When you start you'll realize how simple stupid this is. I couldn't believe it. When I was taking off the foot peg and looked at it I said to myself could it be as simple as reversing the peg. Yes it is that simple.
Good luck.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Thanks for the follow up Jim!

[99VoyagerXII]

For those of us with more legs than make good sense...... this makes Great sense! Is this enough to change the cornering dragging, folding the footpegs, or is it not a problem? This looks like a definite "Must Do" !!!

Now, can we get the seat back a little farther?

[SgtSlag]

Well, depending on whether you ride two-up, or not, the Trunk Extenders will give your passenger extra room (about 3 inches -- REALLY makes a difference!), which will buy the driver an inch, or two, of relief, if the passenger was crowding them. The other neat thing with the Trunk Extenders, is that you gain some open storage space, between the passenger seat, and the trunk -- enough to bungy down two rain suits, in cases, and a full-sized bike cover, or other stuff. That is quite convenient when touring two-up. The Trunk Extenders are worth every penny, easy to install, and they pay for themselves on every single tour... Cheers!

[HawkeSHR]

Well, depending on whether you ride two-up, or not, the Trunk Extenders will give your passenger extra room (about 3 inches -- REALLY makes a difference!), which will buy the driver an inch, or two, of relief, if the passenger was crowding them. The other neat thing with the Trunk Extenders, is that you gain some open storage space, between the passenger seat, and the trunk -- enough to bungy down two rain suits, in cases, and a full-sized bike cover, or other stuff. That is quite convenient when touring two-up. The Trunk Extenders are worth every penny, easy to install, and they pay for themselves on every single tour... Cheers!

I checked the AVA Tech center for something about the Trunk Extender Installation, what is the basic gist of the installation? I have one that came with my bike and would like to use it.

This peg mod is great also, I, too, noticed that my legs are higher up and that does not communicate well to my lower back. Will have to add this to m to do list.

[doug of so fla]

HawkeSHR "QUOTE" I checked the AVA Tech center for something about the Trunk Extender Installation, what is the basic gist of the installation? I have one that came with my bike and would like to use it. "QUOTE"

It is simply two flat bars that bolt to the slider bolts for the trunk and they have extra bolts holes farther back that you now use for the trunk. so in the trunk forward adjustment you have extra room and then you slide it to the rear and you have a lot of room so even with a backrest your passenger has plenty of room. very , very simple to install and use, and makes a huge difference in room for both passenger and driver. If you have drill, tap and die set & a ruler, you can easily make them yourself and custom fit them to your needs, but purchasing them, they are very reasonable & simple to install, either out of alum or steel. One of the best mods you can put on a XII.. If you have them try it you will like it!!! To purchase check with "ekap1200" (Gene Kap) this forum, and he may fab you a "perfect"!! set "almost free"..

[HawkeSHR]

Thanks!

[chevyman1]

I have trunk extenders listed in the classifieds, if anyone needs a set.

[HawkeSHR]

Much appreciated! I have an extender plate (1 metal plted pre-drilled that came with mine. I have to fix a brake light wiring problem anyhow, so I figured while I'm there, may as well put on the plate.

Kevin, I will have to check out your classified if my option does not work.

[HawkeSHR]

Now for the other side. Remove the brake lever and the foot peg bracket with the foot peg attached.
I picked up some steel plate from one of the big home center stores. I think it was 4”x12”x1/4”.
You will need to cut 4 1/2'” from one end to make the extension bracket.

Jim, How did you fabricate the extension bracket with the section you removed from the plate, and how did you attach it to the footpeg? I could not tell from the picture, apologies.

If I can get this mod done, it will save my leg from cramping (the highway pegs help..) and some back pain. (Actually the best thing for that would be that I just exercise and strengthen and tone my bod... , seriously...)

[JimK]

Now for the other side. Remove the brake lever and the foot peg bracket with the foot peg attached.
I picked up some steel plate from one of the big home center stores. I think it was 4”x12”x1/4”.
You will need to cut 4 1/2'” from one end to make the extension bracket.

Jim, How did you fabricate the extension bracket with the section you removed from the plate, and how did you attach it to the footpeg? I could not tell from the picture, apologies.


If I can get this mod done, it will save my leg from cramping (the highway pegs help..) and some back pain. (Actually the best thing for that would be that I just exercise and strengthen and tone my bod... , seriously...)

The bracket is just a piece of steel plate 4" x 4 1/2". It came as a 12" x 4" piece from the store, so I had to cut 4 1/2" off one end to use for the bracket. I used a reciprocating saw with a metal blade for that. After you remove you foot peg and bracket (2 cap screws) you can use the bracket to mark two holes at the top of the plate and two at the bottom. The holes at the top are used to bolt the plate to the frame. The bottom two holes are used to mount your foot pegs to the new lower location. I tapped the bottom holes so I could just bolt the bracket to the plate but you could just drill holes and use cap screws and a nut with a lock washer on the back of the plate. Your choice.

As far as the question about dragging the pegs after the change, It hasn't been a problem for me. I've made some tight turns and u turns and no dragging so far but then I'm not one to drag my knees either.

The pegs as they come from the factory are almost like the pegs on a dirt bike not at all where they should be for touring.

Good luck guys any questions yell.

[HawkeSHR]

Sorry I had mis-read both your original and the last post Jim. The "bracket"... I thought there was an additional piece (another bracket) you fabricated with some of the left over plating.

...Feeling foolish about now.

[JimK]

Sorry I had mis-read both your original and the last post Jim. The "bracket"... I thought there was an additional piece (another bracket) you fabricated with some of the left over plating.

...Feeling foolish about now.

No problem. My picture was awful, bad lighting. It would have been better if the picture showed some detail.

[svenolie]

Sounds interesting. How does it affect shifting? Does lowering 2 1/2 - 3 inches feel odd in the way it shifts?

[Lance McCaw]

My brake pedal has to be level with my foot peg. I see yours is above the foot peg and probably way to high ?