Topic: Kidney Belts???

[wannabridin]

hey guys.  my 01 spirit 750 is a hard tail, and i'm working on a better way to re-fab my springer seat so it's more supportive and therefore safer to hold onto.  i've taken some pretty hard shots over the miles, specifically to my kidneys.  i've recently (hey, i claim ignorance on this one) heard about kidney belts for back and kidney protection from hard jolts.

has anyone used one of these?  do they work?  are they worth the money?  where did you get them?  any help is greatly appreciated!!  i would like some back and side relief so i don't cause permanent damage preventing me from riding forever!!

[Uncle Ernie]

I would like to see a picture of this alleged bike, and I think yuou may be liable for temporary banishment for not automatically including one.  I forgot to look at your post count, maybe you didn't know?

First, rear tire pressure is important.  I recommend no more than 25 pounds of air.
I have used an MX-style kidney belt for long rides for many many years.  It helps keep an arch in your back that prevents aching.  Also, super low seating will contribute to crunching your back.  If the back edge of the seat is lower than the front edge, that will knock you OUT.

[bucky katt]

i wore a heavy leather kidney belt for years until i got too fat to find one that would come even close to fitting me. it was great when i was riding a hardtail bike, it kept me from pissing blood on those 500 mile days i'd be wearing one today if there was a hide large enough to go around my middle.

[wannabridin]

I would like to see a picture of this alleged bike, and I think yuou may be liable for temporary banishment for not automatically including one.  I forgot to look at your post count, maybe you didn't know?

First, rear tire pressure is important.  I recommend no more than 25 pounds of air.
I have used an MX-style kidney belt for long rides for many many years.  It helps keep an arch in your back that prevents aching.  Also, super low seating will contribute to crunching your back.  If the back edge of the seat is lower than the front edge, that will knock you OUT.

Ernie,

Could you please explain to me what i'm such a n00b about??   

[wannabridin]

Ernie,

Ask and ye shall receive!!!  Still a work in progress, I need a bigger powdercoating oven...  My propane heater just doesn't work as well on large parts   

[BobbyR]

Nice looking ride

[754]

Rum mid controls.. when you see a  bump or crack, lift your cracked in the middle part, momentarily...save your back..

 I did over 600 miles first day out, after a very long absence from roadriding.. no kidney belt either...

[wannabridin]

ya know, i've considered mid's, but there's quite a bit of work involved on there...  it's def. on my big idea list on there, and i might be doing some motor work one of these days requiring the motor to be pulled, so if i do that, then i'll turn the frame on its side and throw a set on there. 

but i def. agree with mid's i might have to re-work the bars too, as they're quite wide, esp for mids

[bucky katt]

if i can find large enough, thick enough hides, i might start making kidney belts again. i havent done any kind of leather work since putting new billets on my close contact saddle 6 years ago.

[Uncle Ernie]

I never actually said, "noob".   But the fact that I had to ask for pictures...

Anyhoo- tasty bike.  As predicted- the back of your seat is lower than the front.  That wants to bow your lower back out back, when it should be curving forward.  Mid-controls may or may not help.  You might help your back but start your knees or hips cramping (depending on how old / stiff you are).

[wannabridin]

i'm 25, and i'm not too stiff at all, but i'd like to make sure i don't get that way too early!  and i know about the seat, it's actually off the bike now as its too skinny for my wide ass hips (i have problems staying stable on the bike during turns and/or at freeway speeds, esp. changing lanes).  i'm going to re-make the seat saving the leather on there as it means quite a bit to me.  i'll also make a new seat pan that has more rear support to keep my from sliding back and i'll make the springs higher with better spring perches that are higher up as well, allowing for a better riding position.  on a bike that low and a frame that small relative to my body size, it's hard for it to be perfect, but i'd still like to be able to ride more than 50 miles without getting tired from it...

[bucky katt]

those look alot like Detroit Bros pipes.

[wannabridin]

ya, i just made the pipes from some scrap pieces i got from a muffler shop, used the stock flanges and started welding pieces on until i got what i wanted, that was a SUPER fun task, lemme tell you...

[bucky katt]

LOL, i've done a few custom exhausts for friends harleys using pre-made "bends" loads of fun but a great result isnt it?