But I enjoy camping as well, and i'm getting older. My back and neck aren't as forgiving as they used to be. Our daily range seems to be limited by my girlfriends ability to remain on the saddle. These issues are compounded by the fact that my primary touring friend rides a GL1800 and often likes to make miles.
These factors necessitate that my naked wing make the transformation to a long distance tourer. During this process i have taken every effort to keep the bike as original as possible and when replacement of a stock piece was required i am keeping the part so that i am able to return the bike to it's original condition.
I started with the Hondaline set up. This is required for camping gear and clothing for two up touring.
I have moved on to the installation of a Don Vesco Rabid Transit fairing. This fairing is known for actually increasing performance and fuel economy unlike some of it's competitors. I like the look and i need some protection to make miles day after day rain or shine. I think it makes the wing look like a vintage sportbike of sorts.
Here are some pictures of the work in progress.
I had to make some cuts to the fairing lowers to get them to clear the valve covers.
The stock handlebars which are on in the photos need to go because of clearance issues. Taking them off was not nearly as easy as i anticipated. I have a pair of "low rise" bars on the way from crescent moon cycles. I think they are in effect superbike bars. I hope that they are low enough to get me where i need to be. I have read that steering lock needs to be reduced some regardless of the bars. I hope this does not cause a problems in parking lots. I plan to use the solution of a SOHC member in what seems like a "clean" way to do this. A hole is drilled through the stop, threads are cut, and a small bolt installed so that the steering stop can be adjusted.
Once the bars arrive if it seems like their bend is suitable for this application it will be on to drilling them for internal wiring.
Then i'll finally be able to get behind this fairing on the road and see what kind or a hole it punches in the wind!
Thanks for the positive comments guys. My riding buddy actually does smell the roses once in awhile. He actually adapts very well to different riding styles and likes to explore the back roads as well. He has done the MN 2010 Rally though which was 2010 miles in two days. Yikes! It's just that the GL1800 gobbles up miles so effortlessly. It's less like riding a motorcycle and more like flying a spaceship at an altitude of about 2 feet. A marvelous piece of engineering. 
