My alternative to forward controls.

Inspired by my father, who has shifted his shovelhead like this for years...


It's more a matter of purchase than ingenuity, but I mounted the highway pegs that are made by MC Enterprises after putting on a "big foot" shifter from mikesxs.com... I wear size 13's, so I can't say this would work for everyone, but now I can shift with my heel as to give ample leg room. (Still have to relocate the foot for the rear brake, however.) A little quirk I don't know of many people doing to the xj, so I thought I'd share.

(And a picture without my big boot in the way)


(And now a picture that makes me laugh every time I see it)

 

Diancecht, If you are planning on rding for any length of time (longer trips) I'd go one step further and just make your own forward controls with what you already have. You will need to cut the shift lever off (about 1-1/2" long will do) and mount it straight down. Then connect a shifting rod the correct length with a clevise going to the foot rest location. You will then need to find or make another shift lever and pivot on your forward pegs, which would be another bridge to cross.
The other side (brake side) would go much the same way. The rod however will need to be a little thicker (3/8") otherwise it will tend to bend when applying the brakes. All in all, it's not hard to do if you have the tools.

 

Where in central Illinois are you? I'm in Bloomington

 

I have been toying with the idea of dual shifter and brake leavers for my XJ going upto the highway bars. its a tough decision for me since i will be doing alot of daily driving. i have been thinking i might be able to flux weld a strap of aluminum to the shifter and then mount a shifter peg to the end of it .... i like this idea as well since its a smaller mod then the one i was thinking of.

 

I dig small mods Someday I'll probably follow painter's advice and make it full frontal... Oh, and Crath, I'm down around in a little village about 8 miles southwest of Taylorville.

 

If you just extend the shifter your throw will be huge at the peg end.

 

I will have to agree with the Hound. You will need to find the short piece that mounts on the engine (about 1-1/2" long) that you will mount your pivot rod onto. And keep the shifter end the same length or you will have a long-throw shifter. I had to do alot of trial and error cutting and drilling to get the throw length just right on mine. That was the hardest part of making forward controls. Also (if you decide to make them) you may want to make the ends on the shift-shaft threaded on, so you can adjust it for length on each end. That way you can adjust it like the stock setup. It makes it nice to make adjustments when you get new boots!