Further Forward Mid Controls
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 147
Likes: 15
From: Bergen County
Further Forward Mid Controls
Just wanted to share this little project of mine to get the Harley Further Forward Mid Control kit to work with a 06-13 Sportsters, pretty much a sportster that has a brake rod going to the bell crank and not directly into the rear master cyl. I was able to piece this whole kit together for under 200. Much better than 420 directly from Harley. Currently this kit is only available for 14+ Sporties. The kit places the controls 3 inches forward from the stock mid controls. This is the standalone kit for reference ( https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...07-50700028--1 )
Found the controls on ebay for 100( used ones off a 1200t super low) but it was missing the shifter lever but lucky enough the piece is sold separately. Found a 1/4-28 12" brake rod on ebay made of 304 stainless steel for 8 bucks but only one side was threaded. I had a local friend thread the other side for me. Ordered some Female stud rod ends 1/4-28 in stainless as well off ZORO. Here it is with the rod.
The rod needs to be cut down to 9" to compensate for the added length of the heims joints. This gives it plenty of adjustability to angle the brake rod to the desired angle.
Here is the finished product.
I'm very pleased with the outcome. Forwards were just a bit of a stretch for me and made my legs ache on the highway. Never found mids comfortable in my opinion. This puts my legs at a very natural position. Cheers.
Found the controls on ebay for 100( used ones off a 1200t super low) but it was missing the shifter lever but lucky enough the piece is sold separately. Found a 1/4-28 12" brake rod on ebay made of 304 stainless steel for 8 bucks but only one side was threaded. I had a local friend thread the other side for me. Ordered some Female stud rod ends 1/4-28 in stainless as well off ZORO. Here it is with the rod.
The rod needs to be cut down to 9" to compensate for the added length of the heims joints. This gives it plenty of adjustability to angle the brake rod to the desired angle.
Here is the finished product.
I'm very pleased with the outcome. Forwards were just a bit of a stretch for me and made my legs ache on the highway. Never found mids comfortable in my opinion. This puts my legs at a very natural position. Cheers.
Last edited by imjuslazy; May 1, 2017 at 09:15 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 38
Likes: 4
From: cincinnati
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing that! I’m considering putting further forward mids on my 2014 48 but I’m used to mids so I can’t make up my mind. I’m worried my knees will stick up too much and where do there still won’t be much to grab so I’m thinking the furthers will work better. The forwards have me feeling somewhat powerless when riding as there’s nothing to squeeze with my knees on this bike. I kinda feel like I’m laying on top of it and it’s driving me. I’m 5’9” and the forwards work ok for me but just used to mids. How tall are you? Ty, b
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 147
Likes: 15
From: Bergen County
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing that! Im considering putting further forward mids on my 2014 48 but Im used to mids so I cant make up my mind. Im worried my knees will stick up too much and where do there still wont be much to grab so Im thinking the furthers will work better. The forwards have me feeling somewhat powerless when riding as theres nothing to squeeze with my knees on this bike. I kinda feel like Im laying on top of it and its driving me. Im 59 and the forwards work ok for me but just used to mids. How tall are you? Ty, b
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-HAR...BaO7oZ&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 147
Likes: 15
From: Bergen County
Brake pedal is adjustable. The brake arm I fabbed up has threaded heim joints at both ends so I can adjust it to a T.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB
retro fit on 2002 XLH
Hey all, does anyone know if I can get or retro a further forward mid on a 2002 Sportster XLH?
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 38
Likes: 4
From: cincinnati
Hi, I want to say yes but it depends on the header pipes you have on it. Can you call around to the HD stores and see if they will let you try for fitment at the store before buying or maybe keep an eye out on here for some used ones and if they don't fit then just resell them here or ebay. I found an amazing deal here but it took some effort and time but it worked for me. I have a knee grip bar I got from Japan on ebay right now that I used to help me "grip the tank" when I had my forward controls. It did help but I was used to mids, 18 years on mids, so I wasn't happy until I got my feet underneth me. The knee grip is black and the ebay item number is 264368828968 It says I am away but I will most likely be able to ship it on Monday Priority Mail. Message me on Saturday on ebay if interested and I can let you know what's going on with me. Thanks, b
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,040
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From: Kalifornia
Imjuslazy
Nice work. Couple questions. Do you feel any flex in the brake rod? OEM is slightly larger than 3/8" dia.
Also was either end difficult to tighten, since you have to use a wrench instead of the Torx bit?
Am wondering this because I plan on making my own adjustable brake rod but with 3/8" rod and could not find a torx headed heim joint that would work.
Nice work. Couple questions. Do you feel any flex in the brake rod? OEM is slightly larger than 3/8" dia.
Also was either end difficult to tighten, since you have to use a wrench instead of the Torx bit?
Am wondering this because I plan on making my own adjustable brake rod but with 3/8" rod and could not find a torx headed heim joint that would work.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 89
Likes: 29
From: GTA
So the brake rod length is the only part that prevents figment on pre-2014 Sportsters? Meaning I could use a fwd control brake rod and cut it down to size (take some length of rod out of the middle) at some metalwork shop?