RocketMan3, thanks for posting that - I hadn't visited the Refined Cycle website since buying my kit in the spring. Here is their statement:
"Please read this note about our FC17 Forward Controls for the Triumph Rocket III. For those that have heard the right side flexed a bit and felt a little "soft" when braking, we have added a gusset which makes them feel much more solid. This was not a safety issue, just a response to our customers in an effort to make our product the best possible! For those who purchased them before the change, please contact us about swapping out the right side bracket at no charge!"
I have used the Refined Cycle FC17 Rocket forward controls for the last 7k miles. For me (6-2, 200lb, 34/35 inseam) they make a huge difference in hip and knee flex, and will be staying on the bike. I hate the excessive flexing on both sides, and I had to remove the Triumph Dresser Bars because of interference, so I have some work to do. But....the absence of pain in my hips is worth the inconvenience! I should add that my saddle (Russell Day-Long) is about 3" taller than stock, and puts my seat pocket about 2" forward of stock. I also have a backrest, picture attached. Russell did a great job on the seat. I like to be forward and high on the bike (this is my first cruiser bike, maybe I'll adapt in time...??). The picture shows the brake side forward control, showing how the peg is hanging out there on a bent piece of 1/4" steel plate. Pushing gently on the peg moves it 1".
So here are the planned fixes:
Foot controls - Multiple gussets. Start with four (4) 1/4" thick steel gussets, about 3" x 3", cutting them down as needed for clearance. I will have my welding buddy install one these on each of the 90 degree bends in the left and right side brackets. I'll add more gussets as needed, and when I'm happy they're stiff enough, I'll re powder coat. I plan to leave the rest of the setup alone.
Dresser bars - The stock Triumph bars will be thoroughly violated. At the top they will be cut and re-angled, sweeping them forwards around the feet. My welder buddy will help with installing steel slugs and additional tube sections. At the bottom of each, the flat brackets will be replaced by much longer ones, reaching back to the stock mounting points. A lot of lateral stiffness is going to be lost with these changes, so I will have to fabricate some kind of connecting brace between the halves, in front of the water pump. That way both bars will share the force of a drop on either side. One of the German crash bar companies does this...can't remember which. I''m not sure of how well all of this will work, or how ugly it will look, but I definitely want to put some tip-over protection back on the bike before I drop it bike and break my new forward controls. Black powder coat on the finished job will help to hide the ugliness, I hope.
