Calf Pegs in 90 Minutes

[Hdtogt]

I have used Stegz Pegz for years on my dirt bikes.  If you have not used them before, I think they are one of the top things you can do to reduce fatigue and increase control when standing for extended periods.  For some bikes, however, Stegz does not make a set.  Until they make a set for the Tenere 700, we are on our own.  Fortunately, Yamaha made this easy because the rear foot peg mounts are a perfect 90 degree angle from where you want the pegs. 

 

I whipped up a set in less than two hours.  I hope this helps someone or encourages them to try a set.  Adjustment is key here - I know exactly where I want mine for my boots and riding.  If you have not used them before, you may want to drill a couple extra holes so you can slide the bumpers fore and aft.  Stand on your bike with the bumpers and tape them in place so you get a rough idea, then put a small bit of masking tape where the center of the hole is.  Target that area with the bracket and you are good to go.

 

 

Other than a reciprocating saw, some drills, and a grinder or belt sander, the only items you will need are a 1 foot long piece of 1/4" 4"x6" alum inum stock (available from McMaster Carr for about $20), and a set of rubber trailer door bumpers (4 packs are available on Amazon for about $10).  Then a couple of bolts and lock nuts to keep the bumpers on.  Here is a step by step guide.

 

First, cut a cardboard box so you can make a model of the part shape.  the 90 bend will go to the peg mounts, and the main part can be moved inward so it's on an angle.  You can then cut a notch in the piece as shown to get more clearance around the plastic body panel, resulting in a ball shape.  If you don't want to do the notch, simply angle the entire piece outward at the rear edge.  The bumpers will be more angled than on mine if you do it that way but it will work fine.  

 

Next, trace the cardboard mock up onto the 4"x6" stock.  Obviously, you'll want the foot peg mount part on the short 4" side and the main bumper part on the long 6" side.

 

 

 

 

Clamp it in a vise and use a reciprocating saw or band saw if you have one to cut the form.  

 

 

 

Use a bench grinder to further shape it, leaving no flat or straight edges so it looks nice.  Then, I used a belt sander to further smooth out the edges and give them a slight bevel.

 

 

I kept test fitting it to get it right, and reduced the size so it was where I wanted it.  

 

 

Next, use a permanent marker to mark the general area where the peg mounts hit the bracket - make sure you angle the whole thing so it clears the plastics.  These will be general marks.  Then, use the old footpeg as a guide to mark where the holes go.

 

 

Center punch the marks and drill the mount holes.

 

 

Bolt it up to check the fit.  You can also use slightly oversize holes, or get fancy and elongate them to allow more adjustability.  Next, mark where you want the bumper to go and drill out a hole.  I didn't show it here, but I added three holes to the bracket to give me different positions as I want to experiment a bit.  

 

 

Now to the other side - it's only going to take a few minutes because you already have a mirror image model to work from.  So, clamp the finished piece onto the other end of the L stock in the other direction.  Draw an outline.  Then flip the footpeg mount side down, clamp and trade that too.

 

 

 

Cut it out, grind/sand, and drill.  You now have a mirror image for the other side.

 

Now all you need to do is bolt up the bumper with a 1" bolt, washer and locknut, tighten and then attach to the stock foot peg mounts.  You likely will need one lock washer to be added to the stock foot peg bolts to keep them from bottoming out.  If you want to keep the stock footpegs,  you probably could do so just by getting  1/4" longer bolts.

 

 

These will be powder coated in a few months.  That's it, hope it helps!

 

Edited January 24, 2021 by Hdtogt

[MikeCMP]

This is a great post, thanks!

 

can you give an idea of how to determine the best spot for the pucks to be mounted? Should they be touching your boots or calf’s when your kegs are straight up and down on the pegs?

 

Thanks!

Mike

[Hdtogt]

I wear Sidi Crossfire 3 boots, which are thick and high on the calf. I like the pucks about 2” below the top in the firm part of the boot. . As far as fore/aft, its personal choice but I like to stand knees just slightly bent with balls of feet on pegs. I put them to get in that position with maybe a bit moved back (1/2” or so). This is why its good to put maybe another hole further back from center so you can try different spots.

By the way, aluminum stock can be found here:

https://www.mcmaster.com/8982K145/

Bumpers here: 

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Hound-Auto-Compatible-Replacement/dp/B01MQJKXZW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=trailer+door+bumpers&qid=1611530978&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=ABSLB7XHZ8EF1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRjY5TzMyQkhSV1RYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODQ0NTMwR1BSUlk1UktLU0VDJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMzE1NDIxMURQSFZPWkxSQlVWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

Edited January 24, 2021 by Hdtogt

[MikeCMP]

Thank you. Having never had a set I was curious where they ended up. 
 

Mike

[JimmyTheHuman]

My last bike a 300 2 stroke had the actual stegz pegz and they truly are genius. They save some huge amount of energy, eg 50% when standing and riding powerful bikes.

[MikeCMP]

I'm going to try to make a set of these. Just for grins I emailed the guys at Stegz Pegz and this is what they said:

 

Hi Michael,

We are hoping to have them available by next week

I’ll let you know when they are listed on our website.

Thanks!

 

Steve

STEGZ 

 

[Endopotential]

This was a great project for the bike.  I keep telling myself this is the last farkle I'll add, and that I actually need to get out and ride the darn thing more.  

I still have tons to learn about riding offroad, but having these things to brace your legs against makes the whole platform feel so much more stable.

 

A couple things I noted, to share with other aspiring garage mechanics.  I found an angle grinder with cutoff disc to be faster than the Sawzall.  Or maybe I just have really bad saw blades.  

Also don't leave too much metal in front of the puck, else that will chafe at your boots or pants.

 

I found these roller skate wheels and they seem to work great. 

 

 

 

[Rider 101]

I am seriously considering a set.

I thought about making them but Steve Smith has put a lot of time and effort into making them for all sorts of bikes I feel I need to give his company the money.

I am also a little biased as it is good old Aussie ingenuity again.

[Endopotential]

The nice thing about making your own is that you can customize exactly how you want things.  And the satisfaction of making things with your own two hands instead of clicking a "buy" button.  And bragging rights of course...

 

Looking at his design, I just noticed how far back he's located the puck, using that frame screw as a reference point

 

[Stevoh]

On 2/20/2023 at 5:53 PM, Rider 101 said:

I am seriously considering a set.

I thought about making them but Steve Smith has put a lot of time and effort into making them for all sorts of bikes I feel I need to give his company the money.

I am also a little biased as it is good old Aussie ingenuity again.

Recently installed a set of stegz, wish I'd have done it a lot sooner, wether you buy them or make them it's one of the best add ons I've done, can highly recommend.

[Revy]

If these made you a better rider, then every pro would be using them. Guys, just take a teaspoon of cement and harden the f*** up! The only excuse for these is if you have an injury/disability or you're ancient.

[NeilW]

22 minutes ago, Revy said:

If these made you a better rider, then every pro would be using them. Guys, just take a teaspoon of cement and harden the f*** up! The only excuse for these is if you have an injury/disability or you're ancient.

@Revy I am going to take a closer look at this build as I am ancient and had knee surgeries. I am an all day stander and these just might make my rides more enjoyable. Check out the Twinpegs, pro enduro riders ARE using these 

TwinPegs Review [Auxiliary ADV Footrests Test]

---

TwinPegs Review: We put these auxiliary footrests from Norway on our Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike and tested them on- and off-road.

 

[Endopotential]

9 hours ago, Revy said:

If these made you a better rider, then every pro would be using them. Guys, just take a teaspoon of cement and harden the f*** up! The only excuse for these is if you have an injury/disability or you're ancient.

Hey now!  Looks like @Camel ADV have it on their bikes.  If they're good enough for Cory, I have absolutely no shame bolting them to my bike.  Don't knock 'em till you try 'em.

[DanDoesStunts]

13 hours ago, Revy said:

If these made you a better rider, then every pro would be using them. Guys, just take a teaspoon of cement and harden the f*** up! The only excuse for these is if you have an injury/disability or you're ancient.

Heard of a guy named Toby Price?

[Windblown]

17 hours ago, NeilW said:

@Revy I am going to take a closer look at this build as I am ancient and had knee surgeries. I am an all day stander and these just might make my rides more enjoyable. Check out the Twinpegs, pro enduro riders ARE using these 

TwinPegs Review [Auxiliary ADV Footrests Test]

---

TwinPegs Review: We put these auxiliary footrests from Norway on our Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike and tested them on- and off-road.

 

 

You make a good point. There are multiple places one can get some extra support and if it makes you better, more comfortable, or able to ride longer then it's worthwhile. A local fellow who was racing enduros since dirt was new and both his sons that race have nothing nice to says about Stegz Pegs but all of them run the Fastway pegs (same peg concept as pictured above but been around for longer) Tthey are still opting for additional support, just in a different area.  Not sure why some folks are so adamantly anti-stegz pegs. I haven't ever run them but don't understand what the deal is against them.

 

As for Toby & Cory - them two guys obviously need to harden up... but I wouldn't tell either of them that to their face unless I had a BIG smile on mine. LOL.

 

[Camel ADV]

9 hours ago, Windblown said:

As for Toby & Cory - them two guys obviously need to harden up... but I wouldn't tell either of them that to their face unless I had a BIG smile on mine. LOL.

 

 

Well... I'm pretty sure this is the only time that Toby Price and I will be lumped together LOL!

I had Steg Pegz on the Africa Twin and loved them. Didn't like them on the 790R. Had them on the T7 and they were great but I no longer use them.

My experience (and tape measure) says Japanese bikes *usually* have a shorter horizontal distance from the handle bar grip location to the pegs. I find it tougher to get in a neutral/in-balance position and end up hanging on a lot harder than I really want to. If I'm riding offroad with lots of big climbs, my forearms and shoulders get burnt out a lot faster on Jap bikes than on Euro bikes. Steg Pegz solves that.

The downside is that you're squeezing with your knees (at times you shouldn't be) and are more locked in. On rough terrain (like babyhead covered hills), you're pushing back into the Steg Pegz which gives you stability but it also means you're not loose/active on the bike. I ended up crashing more because I wasn't reacting as well/as fast when I had them installed.

 

I took the calf pegs off and I made brackets to move my pegs back two full inches. Now, I can get in the good balanced posture for the big climbs without blowing my arms and shoulders out and I can still stay loose.

If you're riding really dumb stuff, they might hold you back a bit but it's not going to make or break you. I doubt many (any) of us here are gunning to be pro riders so take any advantage you can get!

[Rider 101]

On 2/25/2023 at 8:11 AM, Revy said:

If these made you a better rider, then every pro would be using them. Guys, just take a teaspoon of cement and harden the f*** up! The only excuse for these is if you have an injury/disability or you're ancient.

[Hollybrook]

@Camel ADV, did you modify your brake pedal and shifter to accommodate the rearward mounted footpegs, or did you extend your boots?  

[Camel ADV]

2 hours ago, Hollybrook said:

@Camel ADV, did you modify your brake pedal and shifter to accommodate the rearward mounted footpegs, or did you extend your boots?  

 

Shortened the brake lever 1", left the shifter stock length. It works with my big feet.

I don't want to hijack Hdtogt's thread. Please PM me if you have questions.

[roygilbo]

On 2/24/2023 at 1:36 PM, NeilW said:

@Revy I am going to take a closer look at this build as I am ancient and had knee surgeries. I am an all day stander and these just might make my rides more enjoyable. Check out the Twinpegs, pro enduro riders ARE using these 

TwinPegs Review [Auxiliary ADV Footrests Test]

---

TwinPegs Review: We put these auxiliary footrests from Norway on our Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike and tested them on- and off-road.

 

@NeilWhave you used these more? I am very keen on getting these.  For all the reasons you list and more.  The reasons they were made are all things I could benefit from.  

[NeilW]

1 hour ago, roygilbo said:

@NeilWhave you used these more? I am very keen on getting these.  For all the reasons you list and more.  The reasons they were made are all things I could benefit from.  

@roygilboi have never tried steg pegz. I have a set coming and will review them as soon as I get some miles under me. It is snowing right now in Portland Oregon…..

[roygilbo]

53 minutes ago, NeilW said:

@roygilboi have never tried steg pegz. I have a set coming and will review them as soon as I get some miles under me. It is snowing right now in Portland Oregon…..

Hi Neil, my apologies, I meant the Twin Pegs.