CalVin footboard lowering

[HarveyMushman]

I have a new-to-me '07 CalVin.  The footboards are a bit high.  I'll get used to them I'm sure, but do I have to?  Google searches haven't turned up any lowering mods yet but I thought I'd consult the brain trust here.  Has anyone lowered them?   

[guzzi ride]

Maybe a custom taller seat would be better/ easier ?

[Tom H]

I was going to do that to my EVT, but with the lower boards, my knees would have been against the heads. My left knee already rubs the head a little. If your sure you still have knee clearance, then you could weld on some extensions to the existing board mount. Another thing to consider if you do lower them, is cornering clearance.

As mentioned a higher seat would be good, but if your already on your toes at a stop, it will be worse.

The only mod I did do to my boards was to raise the rear of the board to make it flatter. Stock angle made me feel like I was on my toes.

Tom

[guzzisteve]

You can't go down much cause of the exhaust. Search the H-D scene, they were the same at one time.

[Ncdan]

Your issue is the very reason that I got rid of my favorite motorcycle of all time.
The riding position jacked my knees up which put 80% of the stress on my lower back and the only way to get away from the issues it caused was to use stomach muscles for support. Over a short period it would wear me down.
The PO had a seat modification adding 2” to the seat height.
That looked awkward and put me on the balls of my feet and I won’t own a bike that I can’t flat foot.
Here’s a picture of the riding position in motion and the issue is obvious.
Good luck with a fix.

[lazlokovacs]

The late great Mike Tiberio (RIP) lowered his, there's info on a thread called calvin brain trust school me or something like that...

You're right though, they're stupidly high, after about 150,000 miles on mine I got the angle grinder out and pif paf, they're gone. They're also surprising heavy including the support brakets

[HarveyMushman]

Maybe a custom taller seat would be better/ easier ?

That's an option, yes.  Actually, I'd like to convert it to a solo seat. 

[HarveyMushman]

I was going to do that to my EVT, but with the lower boards, my knees would have been against the heads. My left knee already rubs the head a little. If your sure you still have knee clearance, then you could weld on some extensions to the existing board mount. Another thing to consider if you do lower them, is cornering clearance.

As mentioned a higher seat would be good, but if your already on your toes at a stop, it will be worse.

The only mod I did do to my boards was to raise the rear of the board to make it flatter. Stock angle made me feel like I was on my toes.

Tom

I hadn't thought about knee clearance, will look at that.  I'm very comfortably flat footed now so could raise it without issues. 

[HarveyMushman]

Your issue is the very reason that I got rid of my favorite motorcycle of all time.
The riding position jacked my knees up which put 80% of the stress on my lower back and the only way to get away from the issues it caused was to use stomach muscles for support. Over a short period it would wear me down.
The PO had a seat modification adding 2” to the seat height.
That looked awkward and put me on the balls of my feet and I won’t own a bike that I can’t flat foot.
Here’s a picture of the riding position in motion and the issue is obvious.
Good luck with a fix.

Thanks.  I'm accustomed to tall bikes and have no need to get both feet--or even one--flat on the ground. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The late great Mike Tiberio (RIP) lowered his, there's info on a thread called calvin brain trust school me or something like that...

You're right though, they're stupidly high, after about 150,000 miles on mine I got the angle grinder out and pif paf, they're gone. They're also surprising heavy including the support brakets

Yep. https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=75122.msg1197969#msg1197969

[HarveyMushman]

The late great Mike Tiberio (RIP) lowered his, there's info on a thread called calvin brain trust school me or something like that...

You're right though, they're stupidly high, after about 150,000 miles on mine I got the angle grinder out and pif paf, they're gone. They're also surprising heavy including the support brakets

Oh, I didn't realize Mike had passed.  Seeing him race his Pro Twins bike is a big reason why I have Guzzi's. 



I met him in more recent years when he'd bring his Eldo 'vert or land-speed bike to the local cars and coffee thing. 

I'll look for that thread, thanks. 

[HarveyMushman]

Yep. https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=75122.msg1197969#msg1197969

Thanks, Charlie.  I'll spend some time with that thread. 

[drdwb]

My first ride on the EV was almost my last, within 2 miles I was getting a terrible cramp n my right thigh that interfered with braking, never experienced that on any other bike, my XS 11 had floor boards but compared seating position noticed my knees were much higher than my hips. But the EV was rideable if I kept my heels on the passenger pegs. Got a taller seat from Ned’s in Iowa at Elkader rally. My knees now ride about level with my hips, still not ideal but , That helped a lot. But when I’m on the open road I still hang my heels on the passenger pegs.

[n3303j]

Was heading out for a couple of weeks on my T3FB and decided I wanted more leg room. I completely inflated my AirHawk Seat Cushion and gained about an inch altitude. Legs felt better and butt felt no worse for the deviation from recommended inflation.