I thought I would re-post this review on this forum for those who have not seen it and are interested in adding a bit more leg room to their Chief platform bikes.
Thoughts on the install and impressions of the Aeromach floorboard lowering kit I got for my Dark Horse.
First some context - I am a shade over 6'1 and I found that I could do with a bit more length in the leg room department, it felt a bit cramped, so I ordered the Aeromach kit. At the time I had a couple of thousand clicks on the bike and perhaps I would have got more and more used to it over time but I do like the new position.
Really the install is dead simple and you only need handful of tools.
- 8mm allen key
- 17 mm spanner
- 10mm spanner (open ended)
- 11mm spanner (open ended)
Don't forget lock tight on the bolts but not on the heim joints. I used some lubricant on them so they turn easily for adjusting the shift rod.
In theory the install should have taken around an hour and I figured I had enough time to knock out it over on Sunday. The estimate was probably right but there were was a quality issue with the thread for the replacement gear linkage being dodgy and it took me just as long to solve this (left hand thread so I could not just run a die over it). Others have reported a similar issue.
Install is simple, I did the right side first and it was quick and easy. Hardest part was supporting the floorboard so that I didn't damage the brake line while I installed the bracket.
I used the original bolts with the nuts from the kit to fit the floorboard to the bracket as the supplied bolts are way too long IMO.
For those who are interested I have attached a picture of how the reduction in height at the floorboard (scraping point) so you can see how much corner lean you might lose. Most people say it is not noticeable but if you scrape with the stock set up it is something to be wary of. The pic is when it is on the stand so it is higher than riding position but the change would be relative. Oh and this is the second position, there is a mounting position with less lowering.
I finished the job mid week. I planned to take the bike during the week, opened the shed to find bike that was not ready to go. I didn't have a plan B so I had to knock it over smartish.
Fitting was quick and easy, same as the right side but with the addition of the shift rod.
Make sure the heim joints screw on easily that way you can adjust the gear lever position by turning the shift rod. One end of the shift rod is left hand thread so it acts like a turn buckle, turn the shift rod one way to shorten and the other to lengthen. This will raise or lower the gear lever.
Turns out that the left hand thread is the rear one, I didn't pay attention to the instructions on this and put the shift rod in backwards. No real issue it just means the direction of turn for adjusting the gear lever is reveresed.
First impressions
Instantly seemed more comfortable and the difference was clear. I no longer felt like I needed to sit up on the back of the seat. I think it needs different handle bars to fully resolve the comfort for me but it is still a good improvement for small $, $220 at my door from Meancycles in the US. I think Zorro's has them in available locally.
It didn't take long to get used to and after a very short time it was hard to tell that I had made a change as the general feel of the bike was not changed (which I am pleased about).
Here are some before and after pics that I found on the US forum (credit to Enzo5000 for the photos).
My thoughts are that if you are thinking your Indian could use more leg room then give this some thought, it had made a noticeable improvement for me. It is definitely more comfortable but I did manage to find the road with the floorboard bracket. Although to be fair it was a road more suited to a super sport than to a cruiser and it was the first time I had ridden it on the Indian so l may well have scraped anyway. I bit pretty hard because the mates I was riding with said they heard the crunch. On a positive note; for a cruiser the Dark Horse handles the twisty stuff really well.
I will give it some more time and see if I get too much scrape but so far only once each side on a very twisty road, one was a minor touch on slow speed turn where I just dipped in too far.
I have now ridden on some pretty twisty roads in the South west and chased a Sport bike at up to 140km/h with no scraping so I am happy with the change, I am still a little nervous about when it might hit but it has not happened very often. There is no doubt you can find the ground but it has made me improve my riding style to compensate. I also adjusted the rear preload to the correct position (which was up for me) and that has helped buy some clearance.
