Forward controls - homemade shifter linkage - 2000 Marauder VZ800Y

I installed my Spaan forward controls today. Unfortunately it was missing the linkage for the shifter side. So I got creative and made a temporary linkage while I'm waiting for the missing one to arrive. Also, after installing I noticed that the controls were about an inch closer in to the bike than the stock controls. So I purchased some longer bolts and moved them out about .5"-.75". That helped quite a bit with the feel. The stretch on them is perfect now. The bike handles so much better for me. It feels like a new bike. Even the shifter feels more solid with a shorter throw. Great upgrade.


Here's how I made the linkage adapter. I first cut a piece of threaded bar to the proper length and test fit it.



The threaded bar by itself was far too flimsy and flexible to work by itself. So I got a piece of aluminum tubing and cut it short. Then I used split washers and standard nuts to hold the tubing in place. This also distributes the force to the tubing and not the threaded bar.



Here's a shot of how I used washers to move the controls out from the frame a bit. Just longer bolts and stainless steel wahsers. Nothing too fancy. Although I would like to find some stainless steel spacers to replace the washers with.

Good thinking. In the same line of thinking as what you have already done, you could cut and polish up a couple of segments of steel tube that is the right size to go over the washers and the welded nut, then it would look like big fat steel spacers and nobody would know any better

Nice job! I like those forward controls

Bunso Steel wrote:

Good thinking. In the same line of thinking as what you have already done, you could cut and polish up a couple of segments of steel tube that is the right size to go over the washers and the welded nut, then it would look like big fat steel spacers and nobody would know any better

That is a brilliant idea! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Thanks for the idea brother.

and your bike just keeps getting better

Brilliant job done there Jambo and an excellent write up to

AmericanJambo wrote:

That is a brilliant idea! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Thanks for the idea brother.

No problem mate. I'd like to see what it looks like when its done.

Is that Cobra slip-on pipes you've got on your bike?

Steen G wrote:

Is that Cobra slip-on pipes you've got on your bike?

Yep. Cobra slip on drag pipes. No baffles.

just looked at your pics again your crome's silly shiney . Keep em cleen ride em mean he he

Good job Jambo.

fat intruder wrote:

just looked at your pics again your crome's silly shiney . Keep em cleen ride em mean he he

The funny thing is that I'm about to powder coat or paint most of the chrome gloss black. The top part of the pipes, the chain guard, the rear sprocket, and the wheels are getting gloss black powder coat. The bottom part (slip on part) of the exhaust is getting re-chromed. The big chrome covers under the seat on both sides are getting painted gloss black too.

Well you are clever! I have some very similar looking Highway Hawk forward controls fitted, and with my long legs and the wide tank, I sometimes feel as if the pegs would feel more natural if they were positioned wider, so I shall add to my list of 'mods to do'.

paint away mate i'm not a huge fan of crome

bigmal wrote:

Well you are clever! I have some very similar looking Highway Hawk forward controls fitted, and with my long legs and the wide tank, I sometimes feel as if the pegs would feel more natural if they were positioned wider, so I shall add to my list of 'mods to do'.

Do it. Made a big difference in the comfort. Without the extensions i couldn't get enough of my feet on the pegs and i had to squeeze my legs to ride. With the extension i have plenty of peg and i can relax my legs.

fat intruder wrote:

paint away mate i'm not a huge fan of crome

Me either. I like a little bit as an accent but that's it.

Very nicely done, looks great.