Mid Controls and Exhaust

Hey Gang, I want to mount some OSS mid controls on my '79 Special. The problem I run into is the stock exhaust on the right side interferes with the modified brake lever. I need to replace the exhaust anyway since it the cans are rusting out. The question I have is, if I get the headers by themselves that Mike's and others sell, will that give me enough room for the brake lever?

Not sure what you mean by OSS... do you have a pic of what your looking at? I have Jumpstreet mids on mine and had to modify both the exhaust and the mid mounts to work together.

OSS = Old School Speed. Unfortunately, I've never seen any pics of them installed.
I can snap a pic tonight that shows the clearance issue. I can't imagine them working with the stock exhaust which is fine since I need/want to replace it anyway. I just want to make sure I am not going to have the same problem with the replacement headers the vendors sell. Also, I want to be able to keep my center stand if possible.

Well I can't speak for the Old School Speed Mid mounts, but I can tell you how I got around my clearance issues. Worst case scenario maybe it'll help someone else in the future.

The stock headpipes ran too high, and both sets of aftermarket pipes I bought from Hoos racing also interfered with the new peg location.


This spring perch, and the lever stop had to be trimmed back.


I've changed my kickstand to the XS1 style, so if you have the later model kickstand you may have issues not seen here...


The eventual fitment with the pipes custom fit still are very tight. So tight that I don't think i could even use header wrap on these pipes without them rubbing. The biggest difference being the stock foot pegs sit higher and give the clearance needed for standard pipes. With aftermarket Mids you are probably running into the same issue.

When making changes to the bike you'll often find things are not always bolt on, and the further from stock you go, often the more work is needed. My recommendation if your encountering the same clearance issue, is go high and to the side, or under the center of the bike. My pipes here are made with the two sets I bought from Hoos, chopped up, and welded in the new location.

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Thanks nailbomb. I appreciate the help.
The problem I am having is on the brake (right) side.

I may have to get the instructions from OSS to see how these are supposed to be mounted.

Wow, this is much different than my application. Your setup is more of a low rearset, and not what I would traditionally think of as a mid mount.

From your image I can imagine either of two things being the interference, the toe peg hitting the muffler, or the action arm hitting the acorn for the exhaust mount. If it is simply the toe impacting the muffler you may by able to space it out the distance needed with washers, and if its the acorn possibly a lower profile fastener?

Its hard to tell from your pic.

Jim, I've got a copy of the instructions from oss. Having troubles uploading pics but I can email or text them to you if you want. Pm me with your contact info I I'll send right away. - willis

Awesome Thanks Willis!
Found a pick on do the ton.

Now that I see how it is supposed to mount it makes a little more sense. Still no room with the stock exhaust though.

Now the next problem you will have is that your kicker does not clear the brake pedal. I'm working on that myself. Going to have to beat and bend it a little.

When looking at the pics, I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to have the brake arm pointing backwards, below the footpeg. This would then of course require the arm on the pedal to run horizontal as well, and be longer. Then a short, near vertical rod with uniballs between the arms.

I see you are using a stock brake pedal, cut off for a brake arm. I am pretty sure "Fast from the Past" has individual Tarozzi parts for sale, both for gear shaft and brake shaft. I got some from them a few years ago, saved me from cutting the stock parts.

Another solution for "mild" rearsets like yours, is something I saw on an XS at Phillip Island racetrack in Australia. He had simply welded on a new brake pivot bushing behind the frame tube, and moved the brake arm/shaft and unmodified stock brake pedal to the new pivot bushing. Then cut the brake stay accordingly. It may not look as good as an alloy pedal, but on the other hand, you avoid any linkage.

The optimal solution for any kind of rearsets would be a rear disc brake, or what about a hydraulic cylinder for the drum? Basically replacing the brake stay with some sort of hydraulic cylinder. Maybe a clutch slave from a car could be adapted somehow? I guess the drum brake works equally well if the drum brake arm is pushed backwards instead of forward.

Thanks Artic, I would like to keep this somewhat simple. Way too many projects at the moment...
Here is a pic of where the lever would mount if the exhaust was out of the way.

The question still remains... will the headers from Mikes and others allow me to mount the brake are here or will I have to go with a custom set up?

I understand what you would like to do, but I do not see where other "conventional" headers should go, in order to gain the required clearance. At least not with the center stand installed. Without a center stand, something like HHB's "speedster" pipes could work. I have seen headers like that on Triumphs, that were used with mufflers.

With stock headers or aftermarket ones in the same location, I still believe that welding a brake pivot bushing behind the frame tube, and using the stock pedal would be the best way. Basically moving the brake pivot 70-80 mm to the left in the last pic you posted. Then just keep the alloy brake pedal as a spare shift pedal, and install an alloy bushing in its place.

It also looks like the brake arm in your pic may drag in tight right hand corners. Sudden application of rear brake while cornering hard will definitely ruin your day.....

Thanks Artic, good advice. I may end up going that route but I think first I'm going to put the exhaust on that I want and then figure out how to mount the rearsets/midcontrols. These may not be the ones for me...
It seems the version with the lever on top would be a better solution. I wonder if I could get just that piece from OSS. Too bad there is no way to contact them on their web site. Weird...