Forum

[Matt]

How would you weld/ bolt these on? There're some available from Hitchcocks and they say to be welded or bolted on to the frame where desired but I can't think of anywhere they'd go. When my boots are caked in mud I find the rubber ones slipy, also on the odd occasion when I drop the bike on a lane (Ahem) it's putting a lot of strain on the fixed ones.

[John M]

I can't find the foot pegs in the catalogue, but think I know the ones you describe. I think these are universal trials foot pegs rather than ones designed specifically for the Bullet. I think that you would need to fabricate quite a complex bracket to mount these pegs to your Bullet.
There are also a folding version of the standard pegs offered for sale in the catalogue,(part number 92765). These may be suitable or alternatively if you have access to welding equipment you could copy these pegs and weld the brackets for the universal pegs to your existing footrests in a similar manner.

http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/ac ... ccessories

In an ideal world the foot-pegs should be further back for off road use as this gets more grip on the back end and lightens the front wheel, assuming you ride it standing up. The problem is that you would have to shorten the brake pedal and fit a trials kick start as well.

Out of interest what tyre pressures are you running at?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24439520@N03/4913555111/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24439520@N03/5731578308/

[Matt]

Thanks for your comments John. I do have an arc welder and I can make strong but ugly welds. HaHa. I was thinking about doing this. I see how moving the pegs back would be an advantage trails ridding, it would definitely make wheelies easier as well! I can't get the front wheel up more than an inch or two as it is! Heavy underpowered thing! I was thinking about leaving the rear passenger foot pegs on just for wheelies but my upswept exhaust means that's not an option. I don't know how all those Indian people on YouTube manage to wheelie a Bullet so "easily." Anyway, Hitchocks do do a kit to move the foot rests and controls backwards but it's overkill for my situation, I just use my bike gently down green lanes, not competition trails and anyway it would just add more complication and weight to what is a simple "lightweight" Enfield. As for tyre pressures... At the moment they are up around 30psi-ish. I figured I could always let some air out if I come to extreme mud. I carry a small pump on the bike, but as yet I've not needed to. What's your views on tyre pressures guys?

[Mike (Redcar)]

For a trials riding position just below the swinging arm nuts is a good start, but for trail riding rotating the standard pegs backwards a few inches would be more comfortable. once youv'e found a good position pull off the footrest rubbers and weld on metel rests. Have a look at the photo's in the Enfield mags on http://www.greenlane.biz/ the editor Paul Grace is a forum member and off road rider.

[Mike (Redcar)]

Forgot to add I prefere to bolt on as I'd rather a snapped bolt or rest than a damaged or bent frame.

[Matt]

I hear you Mike. Good advise. I have turned the foot rests back as far as they go already, over the top, not the bottom if that makes sense... The right one can't go any further because of the gear box and the left one because of the primary chain case. I was thinking of removing the rubbers and then welding these onto the existing pegs. ------ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Footrest-Pegs ... a67&_uhb=1 ---------- It would be a cheap solution for slipy muddy boots but wouldn't solve the folding. For that it would maybe be possible to cut the existing foot rests (rubber removed) and weld the ends onto these ------- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-Trial ... 261&_uhb=1 ------ But I'm not sure of the strength of an end to end weld like that, pegs have to take a lot of stress standing and ridding on trails.

[John M]

Matt, try running the tyres around 15-psi off road, I'm sure that you will be surprised how much more grip you will get on the mud. I know these pressures sound a bit low but it shouldn't adversely affect your tarmac handling unless you are doing a bit of high speed work as well.
I use my Bullet primarily for green-laning in the Lakedistrict and run around 10 to 15-psi in mine. I have gone as low as 5-psi on more modern (1970's) trials bikes, but they do squirm about a bit at that pressure!
You would however be advised to fit rim locks to the wheels as well if you make a habit of running low pressures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24439520@N03/4309794564/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24439520@N03/4167060739/

If you or for that matter any other trail riding Bullet owners find yourself in the south Lakes I will gladly show you some excellent lanes.

[Matt]

John, thanks for the valuable advise. I will let them down a bit and have a feel, I only use tarmac to get between byways on this bike, I have another for road ridding. I also have a trailer for day trips further afield. My rims are not smooth brand new chrome, they're pitted a bit, it made getting the tyres to bed into the rims nicley difficult so I do't think they'd slip at 20psi, I'll give it a go. Your pictures are excellent by the way! Really, such a beautiful place. I love the classic Japanese dirt bikes as well. I would love an old Honda like that. I WILL buy one some day. Hopefully as a bit of a project. I bet they out perform the Enfield in every way? I figure that if I can get good on my Enfield then anything else will be a breeze! HaHa.

[John M]

My Bullet has a Crusader frame which makes it much much lighter than the pre '56 Bullets and the engine feels like its flywheels are heavier than the Indian ones so it chuffs along quite happily at tick-over. In many ways it is better than the later trials bikes as a green-laner.
The green bike in the previous picture is a 1976 Kawasaki KT250 and the lake in the background is Coniston Water where Donald Campbel met his end. I have entered the Beamish Trophy trial on both bikes in the past. This event includes about 120 miles of tarmac, which is a long way on any trials bike. The Bullet is definitely my preferred mount for this event.

At risk of showing off I do have another Bullet that is more road orientated, although it will manage the less challenging green lanes. That one still has the standard foot pegs and they are the most restricting feature off road. The standard gearing is not the best for off road either.--------

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24439520@N03/4167730324/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/24439520@N03/4166967609/
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I also have stranger contraption that gets used on the lanes.---------
http://hoits.smugmug.com/Classic-Trials ... &lb=1&s=X2

[Goa 500]

I have a 14 year old classic 500 indian domestic model. ( bought in Madras new! )
Its steadily heading for trial/trail trim ( the roads here aint so good )
Had these trials pegs for sometime but still scratching my head on how to fit them.
they suggest welding or bolting
welding to the original cut down " stalks " scares me a little ( strengths of weld and the forces they have to endure, especially standing )

Bolting? I cant for the life of me see how they can be bolted!
Anyone had any joy with either of these fixing systems?