The ergonomic experiment

Oh yeah, here we go again on another fun filled adventure with Bob! I really enjoy following your threads. Always so well written and documented. I’m along for this ride too, and bringing the popcorn this time!

 

Funny how different we all are. When I first got my XS (also a 77 D model) , in May 2010, I rode it from southeast of Oslo to home, about 1800 km or 1120 miles, over 3 days. And I pretty soon found out that the stock handlebars were way too high, and the pegs too far forward for comfort! Even at low norwegian speed limits (50 to 65 mph)
I am soon 56, and a bit below average height for a Norwegian, at 5'9". And I still find the stock riding position way too "cruiser-ish" for good long distance comfort.
(It is possible that what I need, is a BMW R100RS or a Guzzi Le Mans for long distance comfort)

 

Holy cripes, Bob! THANK YOU!!! You make this stuff look easy as breathing! I've been look all over the place for bars with higher rise (NOT "Apes"!) than the stock '75's on "The Basketcase", and here you go, with part numbers and everything! My "forward controls" will be made out of TC Bros. forwards (cut down and welded to the downtubes), so with the higher bars, lower seat, and more-forward foot position, I should be able to achieve the "laid-back" seating position I'm looking for. I hope you find what you're looking for too.

 

Mailman, regarding the potential to move things to the lower spine. For long rides I put a backpack on my bike sissy bar and fill it with a sleeping bag and pillow to bulk it out. This made a fabulous back support and gave me a comfortable ride. Do you have the adjustable sissy bar to go with your back carrier?

Have you attempted to retard your timing a few degrees to see if this smooths out the engine a bit more? Also changing to higher octane can also take some vibration out, equivalent to retarding the timing.

I like that O-Ring trick, smart way to make some DIY projects look better finished.

I eagerly await the end result......

 

Please don’t make it too comfy, don’t want you nodding off while riding.

 

You make a very valid point about the higher pullback bars being harder on the lower back. It now is subjected to all the shocks from the bumps encountered. Believe it or not, this is one of the things that makes slightly lower than stock bars better and more comfortable. When you lean forward a bit more, your hips and legs now absorb the shocks from bumps. And don't assume lower bars are harder on your arms and shoulders either. That's another fallacy. As mentioned, at speed the force of the wind relieves the added pressure from leaning forward more. And often there is another benefit with lower bars - better seat comfort. Many seats are designed with the front driver section sloping downward towards the tank slightly. More upright bars force the back half of your butt down into the seat harder, and that gets uncomfortable after some time in the saddle. Lean forward more with slightly lower bars and your butt is supported evenly. I learned about all this first hand many years ago when I switched to the Euro bars on my old BMW. The BMWs sold all over the world got these bars. Only the US models came with higher one. The bikes were designed ergonomically around these lower bars and the most comfortable ride was had with them. So, if your high bar experiment fails, I would highly recommend trying Euro bars. I think you'll be surprised just how comfortable they are.

I agree, a secondary position to move your feet to during long rides really helps. You don't need to or have to keep your feet there long, just a few minutes is enough. I think the big factor here is you're getting to move and stretch your legs a bit. This is what makes floorboards comfortable on the big touring rigs. Your feet aren't locked in exactly one position, you can shift them (and your legs) around some. Again, the old BMWs had this covered. They are the only bike I've ever ridden that had the passenger pegs aligned close and low enough to the driver pegs so that you could straddle the two. You could place your toe on the driver peg, heal on the passenger peg, sort of like an imaginary floorboard. This gave a second position to shift your feet and legs to when in the saddle for a long time. And it works much better than putting your whole foot back on the passenger peg. It allows you to quickly slide your feet back forward to get to the shift and brake controls if need be.

Yes, a slight gearing change is helpful but a 31T may be a bit much. I think you'll find the bike a real slug off the line now. Don't know what gearing you had but just a one tooth drop from stock to a 33 is very nice. It drops cruising RPMs several hundred and doesn't kill the off the line "lunge" in the lower gears. Something else to keep in mind is that if the 31T allows you to cut your new chain down to 102 links, it won't work if you decide to go back to a bigger sprocket. It would be better to first cut it at the stock 104 link length until you decide for sure if you're going to keep that 31T sprocket. Honestly, I don't think you're going to like it. It's going to kill the bike's "fun factor".

 

I keep warning Y'all that there are bad influences running around here. We are the people our parents warned us about . For example the mini "2001 A space Odyssey" monolith sitting on table next to me that is unlocking the secrets of the TCI pickups.

I think you have found yourself in a rabbit hole. Longer clutch and throttle cables. Brake lines and of course probably wiring to the switchgear.

 

Bob, I hope you are able to find the parts you need and get them set up just right for a two-wheeled Easy Chair.

Just a couple of notes from my experience, which, with a fiver and a coupon will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks:

My daughter's Bolt has that cruiser riding position - low seat, forward pegs, lots of pullback on the bars. I can ride it for about a mile before my back lets me know that paybacks are going to be a bitch. As suggested, lower back support and a backrest would probably help.

On my six-fiddy with the Euro bars the initial riding position was comfy for me, but (again as mentioned elsewhere) my thighs and hips would start complaining after a half-hour or so. I found that leaning even further forward and putting my feet on the passenger pegs helped. On longer rides, I'd switch back and forth.

Of course, I'm a hair under 6 feet and an entire wig over 200 pounds, so YMMV...

On my MUCH taller FJ with the Corbin sofa, I can go a lot longer before I start to stiffen up. Unfortunately, the passenger pegs are impossible to use from the driver's seat. In fact, I just took them off so as not to snag my pantleg on them when mounting/dismounting. I just take more breaks...

Edit to add: Being damn near 70 might possibly have something to do with the situation as well...

 

Yes, even with the comfort "improvements" (lower bars, various seat pads) to my BMWs, the best and only thing to do was just to get off them and walk around a little every few hours, stretch the legs and get the circulation going again. Funny Arctic should mention the Guzzi Le Mans. I happen to have one and can truthfully tell you it's about the most uncomfortable bike on the planet for long distance riding, lol. It has real clip-on handlebars that are quite low but they're not the big issue. It's the rear set, higher pegs that get you, and the seat. The pegs fold your legs up tight and they cramp up after a long time in the saddle. And the sexy looking seat - not much better than a vinyl covered 2 x 6, lol.

 

Don't go getting too comfortable Bob
Fyi my back hurts today from "motorcycling" and I don't even have a rider

 

Snooze ya loose...
Fwiw, I'm running a 31T rear and I really like it. Don't remember the exact revs... but at 65 I'm well below the point where that butt numbing buzz sets in. Yeah, she may have lost a step off the line, but my light to light days are well behind me. Acceleration is still quiet respectable. And the way she reaches 85 tells me a ton will be easy enough. I'm about 150-160 soppin' wet, so the bike is far from overworked, and the 31T is perfect for my needs.

I snagged those highway pegs Bob mentioned above 'cause my rebuilt knee will only take about 15 min. on the regular peg. So I'm experimentin' here too. Be interestin' to compare notes.

And like Bob (and most of us here I suspect) I've some serious arthritis issues in the lower and upper back/shoulders. I think a back support would really help in that dept. Yeah... I'm buildin' an easy chair on wheels.