I am putting a set of forwards on my 2001 883 and i cant figure out the factory brake side peg to get it off. i can feel the back side of the bolt and all i can tell is that there is a coter pin through it. i dont want to just jump in without an idea of what to expect.

 

pull the sprocket/pulley cover ..
you will see what needs to be done

 

There's no need to pull the sprocket cover. Get yourself a service manual. There should be a cotter pin on the brake rod at the brake lever end and two bolts holding the peg mount to the engine, if I remember correctly. I don't remember any cotter pins on the backside of the mounting bracket bolts.

 

I think he wants to pull the peg mount not the brake pedal rod...
not sure on his model , but you have a nut /with cotterpin holding the peg/brake lever mount through the spocket cover ??
shifter side has two bolts holding peg mount ..then you have to add spacers to the original bolts/or get shorter ones
but I was wrong once ??

 

It's quite possible that I just don't remember as it's been several years since I switched to the forward controls.