Forward Controls / Product Review

Welcome to Fix my Hog, I'm Bob LaRosa. Let's take a look at installing a factory spec Dennis Kirk forward control kit on the 1200 Sportster. Now, just so you're aware, this motorcycle is built from the factory with forward controls but this Dennis Kirk supplied factory spec forward control kit can be a direct replacement, not only for the factory aluminum forward controls, but also if your motorcycle's built with mid shift and mid brake, a mid control setup, this is a direct fit replacement kit. It's not open raw aluminum, it is nicely chrome plated. Comes complete, hardware, retaining clips, shift brake linkages, shift brake mounts both the brake and shift side are complete. Note, if you do not care for the style of pegs that come with factory spec, your stock pegs will fit with the Chrome style controls. I myself prefer the pegs that come in the kit, they are all nicely packaged, nicely chromed, and it is a complete set. But as with any other component that you're going to install on your motorcycle make sure you review all the instructions, you have the correct tools, not only ratchets, Allens, wrenches, torque wrenches, proper products, including anti-C's, blue thread locker, retaining ring pliers, safety glasses, when you're installing or removing any type of retaining ring. In order to install these, it's a very simple operation. You can remove the old rusted, corroded aluminum pieces as an assembly. One Allen bolt here, couple bolts into the frame. But before you start to take anything apart to install the factory spec chrome forward control set open up everything, lay it out on the table. Make sure according to the instruction sheet and the parts list, everything is in the package. You don't want to be halfway through installing the shift's side, realize you don't have one of the components for the brake. Although it's very uncommon in today's manufacturing process, the manufacturing, the packaging, that things are missing, but it's good to know and make yourself familiar with each and every component before you go to install it on the motorcycle. Again, this forward control kit is a direct replacement for any Sportster built from the factory with forward controls. It's also a great upgrade, if you have mid controls. You cannot use this factory spec Dennis Kirk supplied forward control kit with any type of engine guard, or crash guard, I guess they can be called. You also can only use this forward control kit with a factory style configured exhaust. If your motorcycle's built with forward controls and they're operating properly, whether you have the factory exhaust or you've upgraded to some type of aftermarket or performance exhaust, if they're operating properly now, they will operate properly with this kit. It's a direct chrome fitment to replace the factory controls. At this point, I'm going to take a few moments, open up all the nicely chrome plated components, check them for finish, check all the holes, check all the threads. Take the time and set up before you start taking something apart and realize there may be an issue.