Dragging Floorboards

1163 Views 20 Replies 14 Participants Last post by g_Rich, Jun 22, 2009

coachk64

Discussion Starter · Jun 20, 2009

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I picked up an '86 SEi last year with floorboards, the '81 Interstate and the '83 Aspencade I had before didn't have them, so I'm not very familiar with them. They are much more comfortable than pegs and I've gotten used to the heel-toe shifter. The only problem is that on any but the most gentle of turns they drag. If I put any kind of lean into it (less than it would take to drag pegs), the mounting brackets drag, which is just a little bit scary. The only markings I can find on themare the letters BMS stamped into the middle of the upper surface. I can't find any way to adjust them so they're a little bit higher. Does anybody else have this problem? Should I be looking to put pegs back on or is there a better set of floorboards that I should be looking for? Any and all help appreciated.

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rgbeard

· #2 · Jun 20, 2009

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I've ridden lots of GL-1500s with Floorboards. Seems there's good and bad ones out there. I just sold one that the floorboards didn't seem to drag too much, but I had experienced one prior that the boards were lower, and drug in a normal highway cloverleaf.

Myself, I wouldn't use them for anything. I live in a mountainous area, and enjoy spirited riding.

RB

· #3 · Jun 20, 2009

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Dump them before they dump you!! Probably a just a bad design for GL's..

muaymendez1

· #4 · Jun 20, 2009

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I love the highway boards but I had to take mine off of teh 1100 due to always scraping. I didnt mind the scraping as much as the looks of non bikers whou thought I was doing something wrong. A 400 lb guy on a wing do I really need to call any more attention to myself

muaymendez1

· #5 · Jun 20, 2009

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besides all the jokes from the buddies on how the bike would scrape even if not in a turn because my weight deflated the tires.

Rudy

· #6 · Jun 20, 2009

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muaymendez1 wrote:

besides all the jokes from the buddies on how the bike would scrape even if not in a turn because my weight deflated the tires.

1500 doesn't mind mine at all. My buddies know not to screw with a 400lb gorilla. :cooldevil:

I fit the class of "mailbox reader" with pride but we do have some twisties hereabouts. My bike has the Markland boards on and they scrape every now and then but not all the time.
I'm not willing to ride like a pretzel with pegs just to avoid the occasional scraping.

No biggie.

Ed1955

· #7 · Jun 20, 2009

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Just curious, do they fold up like the pegs do? When I was a young and fear free rider, I owned an RD400 Yamaha with a full formula style fairing, Bassani chambers and club style bars and I was easily able to hold the peg scraping in a full circle in any mall parking lot. On my wing they fold up but I don't believe that I've had it over that far and also am not sure if something else is going to scrape first. Also, truth be told, I am constantly thinking about that bank sensor which will probably always keep me from really laying it over. Can the sensor ever shut the motor down at the same point something starts dragging on a 95 Aspy? Just curious.
Respectfully,
Ed

coachk64

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 20, 2009

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They're hinged, but don't quite fold up like pegs. They only go up about 45 degrees, but will stay there until pushed back down. Reading through this thread, I've decided to replace them with another type of foorboard. Rudy mentions the brand Markland. Anybody else out there have a vote?

rgbeard

· #9 · Jun 20, 2009

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I believe you'll have to hit eBay. Markland Accessories is gone.

But -yes - they did floorboards that were acceptable for 1500s.

spuder

· #10 · Jun 20, 2009

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this may be a litte out but did you put more air in the rear shocks & maybe 2 or 3 pounds in rear tires it work for me good luck

Rudy

· #11 · Jun 20, 2009

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Ed1955 wrote:

Just curious, do the fold up like the pegs do? When I was a young and fear free rider, I owned an RD400 Yamaha with a full formula style fairing, Bassani chambers and club style bars and I was easily able to hold the peg scraping in a full circle in any mall parking lot. On my wing they fold up but I don't believe that I've had it over that far and also am not sure if something else is going to scrape first. Also, truth be told, I am constantly thinking about that bank sensor which will probably always keep me from really laying it over. Can the sensor ever shut the motor down at the same point something starts dragging on a 95 Aspy? Just curious.
Respectfully,
Ed

The bank sensor will not trigger as long as the G forces at the angle you are centered with the bike is in line with the wheel angle because the sensor sees this same G force and stays in line with it just like you do.

It is when the G forces are off center vertical axis that the sensor is designed to trigger. Like when you fall over.

Ed1955

· #12 · Jun 20, 2009

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Thanks Rudy! I knew I would get an educated answer and who better to answer it than you!
Ed

Wolfman

· #13 · Jun 20, 2009

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My 1200 had Markland floor boards on it. It was the same exact problem. The boards are lower and wider than the pegs are so they scrape all the time. My experience was exactly what you described. I had to slow down every time I got on or off the interstate on the cloverleaf ramps. I had the same problem anytime I was riding twisties. I even scrapped when I made right hand turns at intersections.

I hated it so I went back to the pegs.

I know lots of people that love theirs, but they don't ride like I do. It's ok, you just have to decide how you like riding.

If you don't like the ones you have, the Marklands will be the same, so I don't recommend you waste your timelooking for a set.

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Biker John

· #14 · Jun 21, 2009

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I had Marklands on my old 1200, and never drug them, I must be a conservative rider. :action:

clarkjh

· #15 · Jun 21, 2009

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I would rather drag the boards if I had them, but I drag my new SS exhaust.

But then again, I'm use to flipping and flopping a little CB550 around and I do drag the pegs on her. I will have to change my riding style when I'm on the wing over the 550.

James

rgbeard

· #16 · Jun 21, 2009

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I ran the Ortega Highway twice today on the GL-1200. Kept the speed up, never drug a bit or a piece.

Oh - wait - I have pegs!

coachk64

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 21, 2009

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this may be a litte out but did you put more air in the rear shocks & maybe 2 or 3 pounds in rear tires it work for me good luck

In answer to your question, the back tire is at about 45 psi and I try to keep the back shocks at about 85 psi.Is it advisable to run any higher than that? I hate to go back to pegs, but from what I'm reading here it looks like either that or put up with the dragging. I suppose that once I wear enough of the metal off, the dragging will be cut down considerably...

Hidepounder

· #18 · Jun 21, 2009

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Dragging the boards is normal. Just get over the sound and keep on riding. Or stay on the flat and level.
Randy

capnfred

· #19 · Jun 21, 2009

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I have wing rider pegs, they too are out of production, the left side does not drag unless I corner very enthusiastically, the right side drags but the mounting hardware is bent.... but even when it does drag all it does is make a bit of noise, and flip up..... mine have a hard plastic (rubber) piece on the bottom that hits first.... as for going back to pegs, I don't think so...... but that is just my opinion....

capn

GSMacLean

· #20 · Jun 22, 2009

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I drag the Markland boards on my 1100 all the time (except when my wife is on the back, as doing so will result in a whack to the side of the helmet from behind).

I was startled by it at first, but now I pretty well ignore it. One day I'm going to have to put some weld on the part that drags, to build the metal back up.

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