How do you rate a Guzzi (Tonti) with floorboards vs one without?

[mhsilverw]

Help,

How do you rate a Guzzi with floorboards vs one without.

My SP(NT) and my knees are a problem (arthritis) so pondering a change to the T3/G5/Convert type handlebars either with the existing footpegs (which I assume maybe similar to T3 position) or footboards.

I had thought of G5 rails, but they seemed scarcer than a scarce thing...and then G5 footpegs and brake/gear lever controls even rarer. I wasn't sure if a Jackal lowers would work, but I have now acquired a set of lower frame rails complete with footboards; a longer side stand and brake and gear lever pedals and fixings. I am not sure I want to butcher the rails just to leave the longer side-stand.

I know there was a T3 FB (or the like in the 70's) [not sure if there was a G5 FB] and later Converts had cast wheels like the SP.

Any inspiration or thoughts on footboards vs pegs?

Regards

Mark

[Gliderjohn]

My first bike was a Suzuki with pegs, my T-3 is the police model with FBs but I do not use the pullback police style bars as I like a bit of a forward position. My Norge has pegs.
Funny thing is when I first went from pegs to FBs I really liked the FBs. Then after getting the Norge I really like pegs. I feel pegs give more movement options than floorboards. I always wear boots so even on pegs it kind of feels like FBs to the feet.
On my T-3 I use a SPI upper fairing but no lowers as the lowers do not work on the FB models. Being in Kansas I do a lot of 75-85 mph riding and with the floorboards the wind at those speeds tries to push my lower legs and feet back and I have to strain a bit to fight against that and it can get tiring on an extended ride. With pegs one can just kind hook the foot toward the front of the peg. My 2.5 cents worth.
GliderJohn

[wymple]

Floorboards. No contest

[Chuck in Indiana]

Floorboards. No contest

Pegs. No contest 

[RANDM]

 

[Red Dog]

50/50 Depends on the ride.

I had some on my old loop frames that worked well.
My Victory has floorboards that are huge so I can stretch out or just "hang 10" off the back, way comfortable.
I had a Cali 1400 Custom & those boards I didn't care for, small & pretty much locked the riding position in.
Had some on a T3 that were just OK.

My Mille, Jackal & Grizo are all pegged & I wouldn't have them any other way, the pegs just fit those bikes correctly.

I don't know if you have ever tried this but on my 3 pegged bikes I find myself hanging me heel off the passenger pegs which gives my body a lot of relief.  When going fast into a corner I shift my left foot forward to the peg so I can drop a gear.  Works for me.

As far as the arthritis goes it hit me about 15 years ago & was crippling my right hand & foot. 
I used an herb called Yucca root (tastes bad) but worked great.  It's not the same Yucca you might see in some grocery stores or get served in some mex restaurants.  The stuff I use cannot be heated or it won't work.  If interested email me & I'll tell you more.

[rodekyll]

I prefer floorboards.  More shuffleability for the feet.

I think that if you used the rails and floorboards that came together on a bike you'd be ok.  The rails all fit.  There are differences between the FB and peg models, the short and long wheelbase models, disk and drum brakes, Covert and 5-speed, and variants for peg and pedal locations (etc).  But if all the bits come from the same bike you should be able to bolt them up and sell your peg setup to offset the cost.

[Guzzistajohn]

For an old dirt bike rider like myself, fb's are just too weird. And that heel-toe shifter? NFW! I like to stand sometimes to stretch a little too if the conditions are right. Can't see doing that on boards

[steven c]

 If you want to trade for a floor board set up let me know.

[mhsilverw]

These are the footboards with the stand and brake/gear levers + fixings.....









(sorry about fuzzy photo...but hopefully these illustrate what I have to-hand)

I had thought originally just to find and fit the Convert/T3 handlebar and the sidestand - but as these appear complete not sure I want to 'butcher' them -- hence pondering what a bike is like with the foot boards.

Mark

[rodekyll]

With that coating of fuzz it's hard to say for sure, but you appear to have the lower rail/board setup for a SWB Convert.  One clue is the extra lug sticking up just behind the kickstand bracket.  Through the fuzz it looks like the parking brake pivot.  Another clue is the shifter linkage.  I believe that is the heim joint setup for the 2-range gearbox.

I would not mess with the set.  Either run it or trade it complete.

[mhsilverw]

Not sure if these are any / much clearer....of the rail with board and attachments:





and the handlebar...





Mark

[NC Steve]

These are the footboards with the stand and brake/gear levers + fixings.....









(sorry about fuzzy photo...but hopefully these illustrate what I have to-hand)

I had thought originally just to find and fit the Convert/T3 handlebar and the sidestand - but as these appear complete not sure I want to 'butcher' them -- hence pondering what a bike is like with the foot boards.

Mark

You would no doubt want to replace the floorboard rubber inserts. If so, Harley runs the exact same pads as does Guzzi, for much less money. Check with your local HD dealer and look online before buying new inserts from a Guzzi parts house.

[Michael D]

Yeah, I'm 50/50.......... so one of each.   

[Perazzimx14]

I have a T3 w/ FB's and a 850T w/ pegs. I prefer pegs.

[Idontwantapickle]

Floorboards. No contest

With your joint problems you will like the floorboards. 

[injundave]

Put the boards on and try them. If you don't like them, put the pegs back. After all, it's only your opinion that counts here.

[canuck750]

5 Years ago I went looking for an old cruiser style bike, the only caveat was I didn't want to take on a Harley or Indian (I am cheap) and found an Eldorado. It came with floor boards.

I always rode dirt bikes growing up then Japanese street bikes, dual purpose etc. I was pretty sure I wouldn't like the floor boards but now I really like them.

Plenty of room to move your feet around and no problem standing up on the boards while riding for a stretch.

The floor boards are a nice change.

[balvenie]

You can raise the toe-piece of the shifter if you want to change up with your toe.

[rodekyll]

That's definitely a Convert setup.  Not a problem on a 5-speed -- if the linkage point is right.  it's just one of the little unique variances in the rails among the models.

[Shorty]

I put floorboards on my SP1000. I also put civilian handlebars and rigged a taller windscreen. A convert seat. Very comfy. I called it the Mucho Greasy.

[Tom]

You'll like the floorboards w/heel & toe shifter.  Just takes some time getting use to it.  As for the arthritis,  I hope you're doing something for it.

[Rox]

Floorboards are preference. I hate them but I only hate them because I'm not good at shifting with them.

[mtiberio]

Tontis with floorboards can be an issue if you are super tall. You can end up with knees above hips which can be bad.

I love my Loop with boards.

[sidecarnutz]

I like having my heel set just below my center of gravity and the SP pegs are ideal in that way IMO. I like to be able to stand up on the pegs balanced so I don't need to put any pressure on the handlebar to do it. That way my legs are bearing some weight and I am rotated in the hips such  that my tailbone isn't pressing into the seat and getting sore. On my Calis with FBs, I prefer to cruise down the hiway with my feet on the passenger pegs. Relieves pressure. I don't care for a foot forwards riding position in corners either. Feels unbalanced. So I prefer slightly rear set pegs like your SP has.

[acogoff]

     Floorboards for me, but my pillion yells at me because her feet are ran into every time I try to put my feet down at a stop sign as there is limited room between rear pegs and rear of floorboard and that is where my short legs need to go to hold the bike up.

[donn]

Tontis with floorboards can be an issue if you are super tall. You can end up with knees above hips which can be bad.

I love my Loop with boards.

All Tontis?  California II boards are down around the pipes, thanks to an offset from the pivot, so ... I don't have really long legs (just barely flat foot), but seems to me like there's a lot of room here.  California Vintage floor boards are notoriously high.  Both of these might be exceptions, don't have any others handy for comparison.

[rodekyll]

One of the minor differences between FB rails is the FB deck.  On the old style they were arranged along the lower rail and the rubber was attached directly to the base.  They had 6mm hinge holes.

New style are arranged heel down with respect to the lower frame rail.  The rubber 'floats' on little turnip grommets and sits higher off the base.  Hinge holes are 8mm.

So if one board style doesn't fit your legs, try the other one.  I have one of each and for the first hour after changing bikes I'm acutely aware of the changed foot position.  After that hour though either feels comfy to me.

[mhsilverw]

Thx lots of food for thought, thank you.

I assume like the NF500 (Nuovo Falcone) that had ergonomics for a 'working bike', for the military/police that used it, that the 'service' users of the Guzzi i.e. police maybe had footboards for a reason?

Was that comfort/the ability to move feet a bit on long stints in the saddle can anyone explain why 'police bikes' - like the Guzzi, the Harley or ChIPS Kawasakis (I recall from my tv yrs ago) used footboards ?

[charlie b]

It may have simply been to be able to use the heel-toe shifter.

When I was still in the army I fitted a heel-toe shifter to my bike for a simple reason, spit shined shoes/boots.  Too much time and effort went into making the footwear look good to scuff it up with a toe shifter  :)  FYI, once you get used to one it can seem a bit clunky to go back to a toe shifter.  And, yes, I was still using pegs.  I designed the shifter around the pegs, the heel portion was behind the boot in normal riding position on the pegs.  To upshift, move the toes to the peg and push down with the heel to shift.