Chopper Floorboards

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Floorboards have been a staple in the world of motorcycles for over 100 years, first appearing on Harley's in 1914. They remain popular not only among riders but also within the custom bike parts and chopper accessories communities. Trends in motorcycle modifications come and go, but floorboards have consistently found their place in long-distance riding due to the comfort they provide, far surpassing that of foot pegs. Many riders who initially preferred mid-controls are now opting for floorboards paired with conservative forward controls for an enhanced riding experience.

I install traditional weld-on floorboard mounts on all my frames, even if I don’t immediately mount the boards. This foresight allows future owners to easily install a set when they desire. When I do use motorcycle floorboards, I favor the old semi-elliptical style, as they do not interfere with my feet when transitioning from feet on pavement to feet on the boards and vice versa.

You can find floorboards through various aftermarket part outlets, though you typically need to order the mounting brackets and weld-on tabs separately. A typical set of parts includes the mounting brackets, tabs, and the floorboards themselves.

To accurately position the tabs, you can measure, but a foolproof method involves using the front mounting holes in the stock controls as part of a fixture system that uses the floorboard to determine the location for the rear tabs to be welded in place.

In the provided picture, the majority of the tab is concealed under the frame rail, so it’s crucial to tack the top edge securely to prevent the tab from shifting out of position while disassembling the bike for welding the bottom section.

I believe that floorboards look particularly fitting on what I refer to as old-school bikes that incorporate many stock parts and components.

When welding the mounting tabs into position, remember that the drive-side tab should slope 36 degrees downward from horizontal, while the brake-side tab should slope downward at an 18-degree angle, as illustrated in the accompanying diagram.

We will revisit this section as the build progresses.