USA to European riding position conversion kit

[James England]

I have all the parts needed to convert a US 'standard' from the US riding position and would like to clear them out of the workshop, so going cheap.

These parts result in a riding position which is kinder on the back, legs and wrists. The footpegs move back along the bike, straightening the back, leading to a slight lean forward and leading to the once-famed and much advertised European ergonomic riding position. Three XSives have done the change and are very pleased with the results. The gearchange linkage looks different in the US too.



The parts comprise, 2 alloy hangers and front footpegs, gearbox casing and gearchange linkage, footbrake lever, two rear footpegs.

I paid a lot for these parts but would sell them for $100 plus air shipping at $37.

Just PM me if interested.....

[James England]

Now sold and on the way to the USA, folks.....

[DeanR]

James, is this do-able (with the right parts) with the Special as well?

[Hak]

Well I am the lucky recipient of these parts and James had noticed I have a special and through PM's he told me it would interfere with a special's stock exhaust. But I already have an aftermarket and plan to make a custom one over the winter anyway so this is not an issue for me. He didn't make mention of any other interference problems, but we will find out if there are any in a few months when I tear the bike down

[IanDMacDonald]

Hmm. Having done this conversion myself, I question out of ignorance if the Special and Standard frames are similar enough to facilitate this conversion?

[IanDMacDonald]

I also noticed that the clutch adjustment cover was not part of this sale?

[TomB]

Ian,

James does say its USA to European riding position conversion kit

I wouldn't expect the clutch cover to come with that, however I 'spose you could expect to get the lower Euro h/bars if its riding position instead foot position

I guess what you see in the pic is what you get.

[Hak]

Well in previous sales he's typically included the clutch cover, however it's merely a cosmetic change that matches the other side of the bike with the shift linkage cover.

I'm not sure if the frames differ in that area or not. I was doing some comparing on my special and standard and it looks as though they used the same brackets on both for the pegs, so I imagine they probably matched them to simplify parts

[TomB]

Unfortunately they don't use the same brackets, the ali footrest brackets from a Standard will not fit a Special without modifying.

The top bolt hole on the Standard is lower than on the Special.

[TomB]

And.......

The parts comprise, 2 alloy hangers and front footpegs, gearbox casing and gearchange linkage, footbrake lever, two rear footpegs.

[jetmechmarty]

It's interesting that this goes far back before bikes. Note the feet forward position on the American rider in the top photo. The European rider in the lower picture as feet positioned directly below the seat as feet are used for control. I noted it, but I'm not a horseman.

[TomB]

I just had it down to different riding styles, the US is such a big expanse where your roads can be long and straight, ideal for cruising, whereas Europe is small so our riding tends to be more twisties.

It tends to influence the riding position of bikes offered. I'm sure you have Sport bikes over there which have very rearset footrests though.

Heres a Sports Horse, rider tucked in and feet back.

[jetmechmarty]

Yes, Tom, we have both. I think it's true that there is probably a majority of feet forward on motorcycles here. Locally, sport bikes with rear controls congregate for the twisty roads. We have no shortage of horse racing and doing it feet forward would be a bit ridiculous. I expect most casual riding is done feet forward over here, but I admit I don't have the facts. I just find it interesting that our respective styles appear to predate the motorbike.

[TomB]

I just find it interesting that our respective styles appear to predate the motorbike.

Very interesting. And isn't the width of car wheelbase governed by the horse too. Two horses pulled carts, so two rows of well trodden ground were the smoothest so cart wheels were made to fit in them, car makers started by adding engines to carts.

Sorry well off topic now