Kids Pillion Pegs on a 1200GS

[dlevett]

I took my 5 year old lad out on the bike yesterday (after buying him all the gear - helmet, gloves, jacket (with CE Armour to sholders, knees, and even a little back protector), trousers) and he seemed to love it - only around the neighbourhood at max. 30 km/h.

He looked so cute in all the minature gear! and he even asked if he could let go with one hand to wave at everyone and shout hello.

I only realised how small he looked on the bike after seeing the photos.

So the point of the thread!
- He can't reach the standard pillion pegs.
- I have a plan to make some higher ones for him using the pannier mounting frames (obviously won't be able to have the panniers on with him on)

Has anyone done this before with a design I can copy? Or an I blazing the trail?

I might also get one of those belt things with the handles on (can't remember what they're called).

 

[terayon]

The Belt things are called love handles, make sure you get the childrens version as the handles are smaller

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've not done it with a GS but, with my daughter, I used some 'universal' ones that were designed for custom bikes (really cheap and tacky but did the job). They clamped to the frame with U-tubes.

Don't know what the law is in SA but, over here it's illegal to carry a pillion if their feet can't reach the pegs.

Glad your kid enjoyed it, my daughter is 17 now but still remembers her first trips (ata similar age to yours) on the back of my bike - she used to love being dropped off at school on it

Andres

 

[Clive]

For my 7 year old grandson I make do with the cheap and cheerful version - 1 inch blocks of wood and some duct tape

 

[dlevett]

Cheers Guys.

I thought about Universal ones, but that sort of thing is more difficult to get here.

I also thought about getting a couple of Wunderlich Lifting Handles and mounting them so that they folded 'up' - but then saw the price!

As for laws here, there don't seem to be any (as an example, people seem to just take the number plates off bikes). I've seen people with big bikes (including an 1150GS) with their kids in front of them!

I'll post some pics (if I can work out how to) of the solution I make.

 

[skyenet]

she used to love being dropped off at school on it

My daughter Skye ( 8 ) got her first School run on my shinny new R1200GS this morning and she loved it. Prior to that she has been doing the School run on my R1100RS or my F650 both of which I just sold recently to get the GS.

Since she was about 5 or 6 she has been able to reach the footrests on my bikes. I use lovehandles and also had a child's seat (Hein Gerrike) which made her more secure when she was smaller. Will try and dig out a photo when I have more time.

 

[Aidan1150]

Pillion Pal is the job for your son when he is riding with you.

Even come in Tosser sizes........up to a 50" waist.

 

[Alan1963]

You'd best get round to making those modifications - until he can reach the pegs, carrying him as a pillion isn't legal.

The machine must be equipped with suitable supports or rests for the feet of the pillion passenger. (Regulation 102 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986). Pillion passengers must be capable of sitting astride a proper seat securely fixed to the motorcycle. This may require specific adaptations to accommodate young children. (Section 23(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988)

Best of luck with the adaptations.

 

[dlevett]

The adaptions are coming along - I'm in the process of 'final fitting' the right hand one.

I'm mounting them off the Pannier Supports, which are plastic, so have made some strengthening pieces. I wanted them to be quickly removable so that I can use the panniers when I want. I think, with the idea I have, it will only need two nuts to be removed on each side to remove the whole assembly and to allow the panniers to be used.

I've used materials that I could get easily here - mainly aluminium and stainless steel. The primary bits are 'H' section aluminium (which I've modified to be 'h' section), angle-iron aluminium and aluminium tube. The other bits are stainless steel bolts, nuts and nylok nuts and a few washers. Once I've got them nicely cluaned up and fitted, I'll post some pictures.

There is not really a problem with 'laws' here (with regards to this, or a lot of other things), but I want to be safe - I wouldn't take him on the open road without foot-pegs that he can reach confortably. I'm going to be 'Captain Slow' with him on the back!

Cheers.

 

[jimbo]

I've fitted some extra footpags on my 1150 for my kids to ride - in the uk is it a legal requirement that their feet touch the pegs.

I can't remember where I got the pegs from , but they are nice chrome ones

I'll take a piccy tonight and post it

 

[dlevett]

Mk1 version now fitted to the Right-Hand Side - I'm very pleased with the results, they don't look a bodge job, and appear to be very stable (not for my weight, but my son only weighs about 25 kg)

Having finished the MK1 version, it would have been better with a larger 'H' section - but I couldn't find any. I'm going to make the Mk2 version out of 2 pieces of angle aluminium which, I think, will be stable enough and will be easier to make.

Overall quite easy to make with just hand tools, a grinder, and some readily available bits.

 

[MikeP]

- in the uk is it a legal requirement that their feet touch the pegs.

The footrests have to be capable of use.

There is no specific requirement for the pillion to use them.

In simple terms, if the pillion cannot rest their feet on the pegs, they are not "footrests."

 

[dlevett]

Now finished the Mk2 version and installed - much easier to make and no perceivable difference in strength.

Overall a result!

 

[Alan1963]

Any chance of a few pictures? Thanks.

 

[Gazzr]

Watching this thread with interest even though I dont have any kids yet! Looking forward to seeing some pics

 

[dlevett]

Pics of My Kids Pegs

I think (after a lot of incompotent fannying about) I've finally got the pics in a format that they can be loaded!

The first pic is of my MK1 (RHS) which uses some 'H' section (modified to 'h'), some angle, some tube, a stainless 8mm bolt, a few washers, a couple of 8mm nuts and a couple of 8mm nylock nuts.

The second pic is of my MK2 (LHS) which uses two pieces of angle (instead of one piece of angle and one piece of 'H' section) - much easier to make. It uses the rest of the hardware as per MK1.

The third pic shows that the kids pegs are further 'in' than the cylinder heads and original pillion pegs.

They are easily removable for fitting the panniers (two nuts each side and put the rubber bungs back in) - the rest of the assembly is loctited together.

The strengthening is required to prevent the pannier mounting rails breaking (they're plastic ).

I hope the pics come out (1st attempt) - if you think the pegs are cr@p, please be gentle with me - I thought I made a good job!

 

[oblertone]

Worthwhile ...

... and workmanlike bit of kit. I took my son around Ireland when I first got my GS, no problem with footrests as he was 16 and 6'00" but a hugely satisfying trip. Wouldn't it have been easier to just use the allen bolt hole just in front of your mount, rather than fab up a bracket ?

 

[dlevett]

Paul,

Do you mean one of the bolts that hold the pannier mounting frame to the bike's tubular subframe? (actually behind the ones I used)?

I did think of using those mounting bolts but I sat my son on the bike and looked ewhere his feet 'fell' before deciding where to put the footrests. I decided that these were the best place in terms on his leg length and his stability. Also these are quick to remove to use the panniers without disturbing the mounting frame and possibly having it move on the subframe and scratching it.

You may be right, that using the bolt you suggest would be the easiest - I'll mock something up and see you his legs sit.

Now I know what I did, I reckon I could make and install the pegs I've fabricated in a couple of hours.

Cheers.

Dave.

 

[dlevett]

Got some Love Handles today, so I guess it's first ride out to test the pegs tomorrow!

Here comes 'Captain Slow' - very slowly!

 

[skyenet]

Here is a photo of the seat I used when Skye first went on my F650. It came with straps into which her feet fitted. The seat was very comfortable and secure for her.

She grew into her helmet

By six years old she had no problems reaching the footpegs on my R1100RS