Rear set input wanted

[Jeepin it real]

I am going to attept to model in Solidworks and hopefully build rear sets for my GS550L and would like opinions from people who have aftermarket rear sets. what things did you like or dislike about your sets? i want these to be made with the rider(me) in mind so i get it right the first time and would like to hear what types of things to include or keep out of my design.
Thanks!

[salty_monk]

I would make them adjustable as much as possible...

[Jeepin it real]

im wondering about the foot peg length, and also how wide should the shifter peg and brake lever be?

[kawfeedave]

Have you given any thought to using after-market rearsets, and making your own adapter plates? I'm thinking it would be many times easier.

If you do make your own, maybe mock up some plywood adapter plates and mount some pegs (or dowels) to them to get the peg positioning close to what you want. Bolt them up, sit on the bike and see how they feel, then move them and see how they feel elsewhere. Do this until you have explored some different options, and pick the best one.

Setting up the pedals and linkages will be a snap after that. It all starts with the peg position, so get that right and then build off of that. Even then, make them adjustable and make sure the linkages have room to move around if you adjust the peg position.

If you're trying to make them because you want to make your own, I get it. Otherwise, stick with making some adapter plates for a set fo existing rearsets. You can buy aftermarket, or ebay has about 1000 sets of stock rearsets pulled off of evey sport bike you can imagine.

[Jeepin it real]

easy is not a word i am familiar with. im more into the custom aspect of it and being more immersed into my bike. ive been drafting for a while now, drawing these simple brackets will only take 20 mins tops. im just asking for some feedback on what things work and what doesnt. its just part of the design process, Step 1, adress the problem and find a solution that works best for the client and as fellow GSers i think i can benefit from everyones opinions. just think about everything youve ever bought for your bike and thought "damn i wish this part would be like this" this way i can put it on my bike and say "damn its perfect"

edit: and the part about getting the foot placement first is great feedback and is exactly what im looking for, thank you. i have been all over the aftermarket and ebay looking for rearsets and decided i would rather make my own. im very picky about my stuff

[keman]

Personally, I try to make my modifications to the bike as unique as I can. I will be adjusting the positions of my foot pegs in the near future too. While I may base the modification on something I have seen, ultimately the final design and fabrication will be mine.

I have seen a few bikes with home made versions of production parts that turned out very well too.

Shifter and brake placement.. . I'd start with measuring the stock locations. Feel how they work, think about how well they work for you now. Perhaps adjust them and play with placement before you start cutting and welding. Trial and error are great teachers.

[keman]

Sorry, off topic. .. What kinda Jeep? My driveway has an 89 XJ, an 88 MJ, an 05 TJ, And a 67 Kaiser J-4000 Gladiator. The Mj and the Kaiser are stock, the others. .. not so much! They are all driveable the Xj is not street legal.

[jaywelchy]

Hey, custom by you for you is the way to fly.

I made rearsets for my 550 ... as the cost of custom ones was more than the 550 itself .. Ha!

I had some chromo steel stock and tube laying around, so thats what was used. Didnt go full out custom aluminum plate, bearings, etc. It looks cool, and feels GREAT.

As far as peg length, if your fitting you .. then make them as long/short as you want.

Personally, I dont like pegs out to the edge of my boot ... I like it to come out about 3/4 the way.

Shifter and brake pedal length ... again, personal preference. Make your design include removable pegs, and shifter and brake pegs too ... that way you can change the width to suit your feel.

For me .. I like the brake lever in tight .. and a fairly short peg on it. I like to turn my toes/foot in to grab some brake.

Shifter lever ... the lever in tight too .. the peg, about same as stock. Not too long, as you dont want a ton of ankle movement to go from up top to down below ...and you dont want to catch the peg either.

Cool project .. take pics

[sschering]

When I made my mounts I started by getting the bike on the center stand.. Use a plum bob to mark the peg position on the floor. Make a line on the floor under the stock pegs.

This is your reference line for measuring points on the bike..

Using a framing square I wrote down the distance between mount bolts, hight of each from the floor and then hight and distance back to my desired peg position..

with that done I had a easy time drawing a fairly accurate layout and could design a bracket around that.

Then I made paper templates, cut out 1/2" MDF brackets and use them to test fit the pegs..

I started with the RAASK peg position on my GS1000. That is about level with and 3 inches back from the swing arm bolt. I sat on the bike all geared up including the liners in my winter pants and found the pegs were a little high for comfort so I moved them down an inch..


Now that I was happy with that I made new templates and cut out the aluminum plates.

I dosen't hurt to look at Omars and fast from the past to see how RAASK and Tarozzi did their mounts..

[Jeepin it real]

Sorry, off topic. .. What kinda Jeep? My driveway has an 89 XJ, an 88 MJ, an 05 TJ, And a 67 Kaiser J-4000 Gladiator. The Mj and the Kaiser are stock, the others. .. not so much! They are all driveable the Xj is not street legal.

my dad has a 93 XJ just on a budget boost with a custom(rattle can) paintjob. i have a 93 XJ on Superlift 3.5 coils with S10 bastard pack rear on 31's cold air intake and Thrush glasspack exhaust and my brother has a 1998 XJ on procomp 2inch Budget lift. Always wanted to get one of them duece and a halfs...sweeet
as for the rearsets, thanks for all of the input guys i appreciate all of it. im off work and school tomorrow so ill be jumping in headfirst in the morning. lots of measuring and feeling things out. i know i can just draw a template on paper but ill probably make a 3D model of my design on Solidworks for ****s and grins but i dont think i can upload 3D models for yall to see haha. ive never made a write up before but i think i will on this one so i can cross it off my list i was planning on 3/16 or 3/8 aluminum plate just because its cool, but if i use steel i can weld it. oh well, ill just have to make wooden prototypes

[Jeepin it real]

first i made this template out of plywood but i hated it

then i made this one out of thin aluminum and its much better

here it is in 1/8 steel


i cant decide which pegs to use, the suzuki ones i have from a set of highway pegs or the chain i welded in the shape of a peg.
the chain looks cool and kinda bobber-ish but the suzukis are classic and i think thats what ill go with