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highway hawk forward controls - installation caveats + advice requested

Tue, 2008-11-11 13:29 — blue penguin

The controls looks great, but there are a couple of (minor) issues to be aware of when installing. The instructions are little more than a parts diagram, and there is no mention of the fact that the controls actually foul on the horn mount, nor that even after belting the mount until clearance is attained that there will still be no room to remount it. There is also no guidance at all as to where the bracket for the brake light sensor is meant to attach, nor any readily apparent point where it could be done anyway - on the stock footboards, the bracket mount is part of the overall assembly.

Other than that, they go on pretty easily and look great! Fairly straightforward installation once you're aware of the above issues.

However, if anyone can advise as to how to adjust the gear shifter so I can select gears higher than 1st, the help would be appreciated! :-) I know the principles of course, but I just can't seem to find the sweet spot and can't get anything other than 1st.

oh, and I probably wouldn't advise them for anyone with short legs! I'm 5'10", and it's almost a stretch to get there. I almost think that they'd be better positioned maybe an inch further to the rear, and perhaps stick out about an inch more as well - as it is, my legs are almost straight, and are pressed in close against the side of the bike. It's hard to know whether this is a real issue until I've got the gear selection sorted and can take it for a proper ride, as it is not easy to judge when you can only really sit on it in the driveway, lol.

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Sat, 2008-11-15 12:37 — blue penguin

FOR SALE

Just as an FYI, I've put a post in the Classifieds section with a link to the eBay auction I've set up for the controls. The price is a lot less than what I paid, but anything is better than losing it all by just having them sitting in their box not being used! If you're interested, or know someone who might be, please let them know. Thanks!

Wed, 2008-11-12 11:16 — blue penguin

great product...if you're tall enough!

I got all the issues pretty much sorted (other than the brake sensor), but I think for now I'm going to have to go back to the footboards and see if I can find a buyer for the forward controls. They are a great product, and look fantastic, but my legs simply aren't long enough. I went for a ride just across town (about 5km each way) but when I got off the bike it felt like it had been a lot longer - too much of a stretch to reach the pegs for me, and I don't think there's any way I'd last for a long ride! The bike handles brilliantly though, and I think they'd be absolutely perfect for anyone who was a bit taller - just an inch or two would make all the difference.

In the meantime, I'll have a look around and see what other products are available. I may well just end up swapping the footboards for pegs and not worry about the forward controls, although I'd still like them if I could find a set more suited to my height.

So if anyone who is at least 5'10" would like a set of forward controls, I'll sell them to you for cost + shipping. I paid AUD$410, but I'm not sure what the shipping cost would be - probably around $30 or so, I would imagine (within Australia).

Wed, 2008-11-12 11:57 — ButchV

Thanks blue penquin

The attempt you made was a valid effort to get what you wanted, and it was well worth the try even though it is expensive, and you found out that the forward controls were just a bit too far forward for you. The tanks on the Vstar 1300 are very long, and for a cruiser the wheelbase on these machines is pretty long too. A Vstar 1100 being 2 inches shorter would probably be better suited for forward controls for those that prefer that type of riding. The ergonomic problem with the handlebars for many of us would make it even more insulting to add forward controls to the Vstar 1300 if the bike was indeed going to remain a long distance cruiser. Leaning forward, and then having feet up and out in front would be uncanny for me. I rode a Harley this summer that had drag bars and forward controls and for me it would have been okay to ride short distances, but anything longer than 100 miles would have been uncomfortable. Your attempt was well appreciated, a curiousity at best for me. My legs would be too short to use highway pegs, but I may put them on my engine guards for looks rather than for function. Thank you for the posts and for trying this option. Hope you find pegs that will work satisfactory for you. ~ Butch

Fri, 2008-11-14 11:44 — PHACUE

Forward controls

I have 5 inch forward controls on my 1300 & At 6' find them very comfortable. Purchased these from EXTENSION DEPOT. To properly adjust shifter linkage for these type of extentions you will have to remove the rear linkage swivel from the transmision stub shaft (its marked for stock alignment) & move linkage 2 to 3 teeth forward, re-install & then adjust the shifter rod.
BTW, I have a set of 3" extensions for sale or trade