Foot peg upgrades?

[86FJNJ]

Anyone upgrade their footpegs? Is it possible to just swap out the FJ footpegs or would I need to customize to fit the FJ mount with the Mickey Mouse ears?

[Pat Conlon]

What do you want to accomplish?

[86FJNJ]

Just not a fan of the old school rubber begs with that little spike on the bottom would like something simple like a metal knurled peg.

[Pat Conlon]

I'm 6'3" with a 34" inseam so I went with lower Buell pegs to give my aging knees less of a bend, more comfort. I was pleasantly surprised that the additional 1.5" lower pegs made such a difference on long rides.
You see  I used the oem FJ mounts for the Buell pegs. I also used the 91-95 FJ washers for superior vibration isolation. Unfortunately there is no return spring on these pegs.







Aviation Fred also has some experience with aftermarket pegs.

Got your ears on Fred?

[86FJNJ]

That looks nice and I'm a bit taller so might like that too

[Chainlube]

I'm 6'3" with a 34" inseam so I went with lower Buell pegs to give my aging knees less of a bend, more comfort. I was pleasantly surprised that the additional 1.5" lower pegs made such a difference on long rides.
You see  I used the oem FJ mounts for the Buell pegs. I also used the 91-95 FJ washers for superior vibration isolation. Unfortunately there is no return spring on these pegs.







Aviation Fred also has some experience with aftermarket pegs.

Got your ears on Fred?

Where can I get these?  I'm having issues getting my right foot on the stock peg on my '84 now.  I'm over 60 and having knee problems.  I saw a thread from 2021, but the links are broken.

[Pat Conlon]

Expensive: https://knightdesignllc.com/buell-front-foot-peg-pair-quadtrax-lowered/

Search for Buell Ulysses foot pegs.

More foot peg discussion here: https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18574.0

[red]

Pat,

I would want return springs on the rear pegs to keep them folded in, when not in use. Why would you want return springs on the driver's pegs?

[Pat Conlon]

Hi Red...
What I notice with my Buell pegs is that, on occasion, there are times when taking off from a stop, I lift up my left or right size 12 boot and I inadvertently catch the tip of the peg and lift up the foot peg.
A return spring would snap the peg back down automatically (like the oem pegs)....instead of me having to lift up my boot and with the sole of my boot, catch the end of the peg and lightly push the peg back down...

It's really no big deal, I'm used to doing it, it's automatic.

The lower pegs are an absolute God send on my 72 year old knees. A night and day difference.

Cheers

[86FJNJ]

Pat, part of the reason I asked is because I was coming to a stop light and and when I went to put my right foot down the loop of my shoe laces was caught on that little rod that sticks out on the under side of the right foot peg. Thankfully my left foot was free but had both shoes had their shoe laces catch I'd be flopping over due to the car in front of me. Since then I tuck my laces into my shoes but that little rod on the underside of the peg is no good, I may just cut it off with a grinding wheel.

[red]

Hi Red...
A return spring would snap the peg back down automatically (like the oem pegs)....instead of me having to lift up my boot and with the sole of my boot, catch the end of the peg and lightly push the peg back down...
Cheers

Pat,
Amazon has a wide assortment of "V-shaped springs" or "torsion springs." Those with only a turn or two of spring wire at the pivot bolt may fit your pegs, or else you may need to file or sand (NOT grind) the bolt end of the peg to allow room for the spring.  A metal-cutting belt sander makes short work of such mods. Mine is an old Craftsman that was headed for a pawn shop.
Grinding any soft metal like aluminum can cause the grinding wheel to explode (no joke).  A thin fiber abrasive cut-off wheel can also do the job safely, because it sheds the aluminum it cuts away.  Wear goggles, a face shield, or both while working with any cut-off wheel.  I have one that fits my table saw, and it is invincible.

[red]

Pat, part of the reason I asked is because I was coming to a stop light and and when I went to put my right foot down the loop of my shoe laces was caught on that little rod that sticks out on the under side of the right foot peg. Thankfully my left foot was free but had both shoes had their shoe laces catch I'd be flopping over due to the car in front of me. Since then I tuck my laces into my shoes but that little rod on the underside of the peg is no good, I may just cut it off with a grinding wheel.

86FJNJ,
You might want to replace the usual laces with a heavy zipper, made for shoes and boots. Check Amazon. Stow the extra lacing inside the shoe where it can not cause any trouble, or cut it off.
Please do not grind away aluminum with a grinding wheel.  The grinding wheel could explode one day.  An abrasive cut-off wheel is far safer for that work.

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Red...after all these years, the lack of return spring is a non issue with me. I'm set in my ways. It's automatic.

Eric, the Buell pegs come with threaded removable feeler pins.




You see in my above pictures the Buell pegs installed with the pins removed. I have no center stand on my '84 which is normally the first to touch down on left corners and so without the foot peg feeler pins I have (on rare occasion) scuffed the outside soles and sides of my boots from grinding on the street. There's a scuff shield on my boot soles for this reason.

Yes, for sure, boot laces flapping in the wind can become untied or just snag on stuff, shift lever, brake pedal, etc.
When I wore laced boots I had 4" wide black elastic Velcro bands I would wrap around the top part of my boots (where the knot was tied)

Now I wear Sidi boots with a side zipper and no laces. The boots are narrower than my street footwear and unfortunately not too comfortable for long walks.

Be careful with boot laces....ask my buddy, Paul Lawson, he has a similar story.

Cheers

[Chainlube]

Expensive: https://knightdesignllc.com/buell-front-foot-peg-pair-quadtrax-lowered/

Search for Buell Ulysses foot pegs.

More foot peg discussion here: https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18574.0

Thanks for the info!!!

[Millietant]

Pat, part of the reason I asked is because I was coming to a stop light and and when I went to put my right foot down the loop of my shoe laces was caught on that little rod that sticks out on the under side of the right foot peg. Thankfully my left foot was free but had both shoes had their shoe laces catch I'd be flopping over due to the car in front of me. Since then I tuck my laces into my shoes but that little rod on the underside of the peg is no good, I may just cut it off with a grinding wheel.

You're riding in SHOES!!!!!.

I've seen far too many incidences where shoes and "fashion boots" have resulted in serious injury from low speed crashes (under 20mph). PLEASE get some proper riding boots for every ride.

About 20 years ago, my good friend and next door neighbour who always rode in full protective gear, one hot day decided that for the 2 mile ride through our village to the supermarket, he'd just ride down in his jeans and suede "desert boots" (saving time and not wanting to sweat in the 5 minute ride), but with his bike jacket, gloves and helmet. While turning into a junction at walking pace, a car waiting to pull out suddenly pulled forwards and nudged him over. His Yamaha TDM900 fell on top of his left leg and foot, which got trapped under the bike. The exhaust silencer left a 6" long burn on his calf where his denim jeans gave no protection from the heat (even though his leg was only in contact with the exhaust for just a couple of seconds) and his suede boots gave almost zero abrasion or crush protection and his left outside ankle was ground and crushed pretty much out of existence (at less than 10mph !! ).

Keith lost a full year of riding and has never recovered fully, suffering pain whenever he walks.

You can bet that he now NEVER rides without full proper riding gear, even on that 2 minute ride around the block.

Please, don't be a Keith, we like you and want to see you riding safely for many years to come.