(don't) Flip This Bike!

[Roady]

I believe that the bags will stay on all the time. Even a ride to work requires a bit of storage for my lunch and such. Plus, removing those frames is not something I want to be doing very often.

Both options were under consideration before even starting on the attachment of the frames/bags.

Changing the header/mufflers is my least favorite because I have no access to welding equipment and, well, ya know, they've been like that since day one.

The shielding option is so far, my favorite one. I could do it so that it wouldn't even be seen.

[Sagebrush]

This is one easily of the best accessories I've purchase for the 1100. It keeps your lids safe and you don't have to look around for a level spot to place them while you're digging around in your bags. Keeps you from setting them down on the seat or other less than optimum place where they will certainly fall off and get damaged.



You can find them here:

http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/29809/92740

[Roady]

That's a cool idea, Dean. I'd been pondering how I was going to avoid losing the lids.

[Fred Camper]

Thanks for the link Dean, lots of folks will like that accessory.

[Roady]

I dug around and found a couple of pieces of 1/16 inch scrap sheet. Decided that the aluminum would be way easier to work with than the galvanized so I went with that. We'll have to see if it holds up and doesn't melt through.

They are held on by the same bolts that secure the bottom of the bags. (That one is just there to hold it for the pic.)



There's plenty of clearance from the shields up to the bags, but the front of the shields are actually laying on top of the mufflers.



I did a short blast up the road and really like the sound. It's deeper and mellower from the saddle. That's no doubt because the bags are muffling it somewhat.

Three of the locks work fine with my key but I could not get the front-left one to move. I may have to check in with the Keymaker for some advice.

[Oldewing]

Nice work Steve I think the shields wil be fine.

[Roady]

Thanks, Bro.

Now I do believe that they could use a little paint touch-up.

[britman]

Hey Steve on mikes wing i just used some flexible exhaust to make the mid pipe and Rustolum have just came out with a gloss high heat paint . It looks good .I guess the next test is to see if it lasts long

[gearhead4207]

We had an absolutely beautiful day today (FINALLY!) and I couldn't help but get out to the shop and spend some time with Winnie. Figured that I'd mount up the frames and bags to make sure they are going to fit before investing a ton of time and money painting.

Proof of Concept

I started in on the frames. I'm using the standard's stock grab bar so the top-rear tabs of the bag mounts were about 1/2 inch too wide. I cut 1/4 inch off both sides of each with the hacksaw and then ground them down smooth. The top mounts ended up being the same width (3/4 inch) as the tube stock.

Next, it was a run to Ace for nuts, bolts and washers where I spent nearly $15. I got 2 long (about 3 inch?) 8mm bolts with washers for the top-rear mounts; 4 6mm 2 inch bolts with nuts and lock washers for the bottom of the bags; 2 3/4 inch rubber padded pipe clamps* to attach the inner front of the bags to the grab bar (thanks Britman for recommending these); and 2 more 6mm 1 inch bolts with nuts and lock washers for the clamps. I mentioned that it was a tiny bag for 15 smackers ... the checker said, "Well, they're all metric." Maybe some day that won't make a difference.

The mounts went on perfectly and are very strong. The left bag needed an extra rubber grommet under the rear to clear the turn signal but otherwise went together smooth. On the right side, the muffler was about an inch higher than the left so I had to take time to angle it down a bit. Just added a short bracket with two holes to move it off of the stock mounting point but it took about an hour and a half to free it up at the header-muffler clamp. Then the right bag went on with no need of any extra padding.

This works for me so the bags will come off and I'll finish up the finish on 'em.

(No time to run in for the camera before work so it's crappy cellphone pics for now.)





Concept Proven

The next problem to solve. The mufflers come in about 3 inches past the front of the bags and are only about 2 inches below the bottoms.



Maybe a set of turn downs from O'Reilly? Slip them over the ends of the mufflers and strap them to the bottom of the bag frames?

Gotta come up with a plumbing solution for that one.

*Rubber Padded Pipe Clamps are like this:

i used road king mufflers but it would work the same with what you got . took it to a friend that does exaust and for twenty dollars he bent and welded some 13/4 pipe to bring them back under and out the back of the bike when i get my new phone will post pics of the exaust on mine .my son did my laundry the other day and washed my phone wallet and my belt still in my pants .

[gearhead4207]

i like the way the bags look .but im kinda a bagger fan though my 78 hsd harley bags on it .

[britman]

Yeah Steve the bags looked good there going to look real good painted

[sunnbobb]

Nice work Steve. Remember when we used to post pictures about how to make a bike naked?

[Roady]

Seems to be all about making a bike our own nowadays.

[gearhead4207]

i agree steve . but isnt that whats its always been about .

[Roady]

It's about time I moved this thread up from page #5.

I met a new riding buddy about a month ago, he lives in Oconee, IL, about 40 miles north of my place on Hwy 51 and goes by the handle "Retro" (Charlie). A couple of the St. Louis Breakfast bunch have met him ... he was at the Sept. and Oct. meets.

It was a beautiful day yesterday, A bit overcast but dry and the mercury was hovering around 70. So I saddled up at 9:00 and headed up to his place. He owns a '07 750 Shadow (for sale) and two CB750's, a Winter and a Summer. Summer is an '81 naked and Winter is a '79 10th Anniversary Limited Edition with a Vetter. They're a pair of beautiful bikes that he has been spending his retirement on.

First things first, we went to breakfast at a great old diner in Pana, it was established in 1950. Then we rode out and into Ramsey Lake Park. The leaves were in full color and the roads were covered in them. We parked at a paved picnic area (below). Not too may wet clusters so watching his bike scatter leaves was a pretty sight.

And, of course, the fashion shoot.