Since I posted my "First Picture Post" http://www.vn750.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5279 I have had several comments on the "look" of the bike and several suggestions for changes (nicely photoshopped by oglejust and Hyper, I might add http://www.vn750.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5314 ). I thought it was pretty cool that my bike was used to show some "what-if" ideas. I am planning to modify the bike further and maybe even use some of the suggestions! I am going to try to document some of those changes here and hopefully get some forum input, suggestions and probably some criticism (constructive critcism, I hope!) as I progress. So here goes . . .
What the PO's have done -
* 2-inch drop rigid bars
* Stock seat converted to solo
* Marble mod, R&R, degoat and replace mufflers with staright pipes (they are too loud now!)
* Replace stock turn signals and brake light with LEDs
* Relocate license plate to left side using a diamond plate mount
* Removed all emblems and decals
* Removed windshield
* Relocated the horns
What I have done thus far -
* Ear shave (pod filters and shim tank)
* Removed crash bar
* Removed front fender
* Replace LED turnsignals with carbon fiber look incandescent units (couldn't get the flashers to work right with LEDs)
* Removed passenger pegs and mounts
* Removed side covers - will be reinstalled or replaced after frame mod is complete
What I plan to do (Probably in stages and this is Stage 1) -
* Modify the frame to look more like a true rigid frame
* Replace the modified stock seat with low profile spring mounted solo seat
* Replace the rear fender with a bobber fender mounted close to the tire
* Replace the side mounted license plate unit with a 32 Ford Model A tail light and a non-DP mount
* Some sort of muffler addition or full exhaust replacement - not sure yet
Stage 2 will probably be paint and maybe some mods to the front fork, headlight and instruments, and perhaps drag bars, but I am not thinking that far ahead yet!
Here is a photo with the top frame modification indicated - basically a straight line from the tree to the rear axle for a true rigid frame look. A lower frame piece (not shown) will be added as well.
The frame above the blue line will be cut off and a new upper frame rail will be fabbed and installed from the bottom rear of the tank to the shock mount on the rear axle. My intent is to keep as much of the Kawasaki-engineered frame structure as possible. This is a different approach than was done by Bucky or some of the bikes on CD Thayer's site where I believe they have removed the swingarm set up and attached the new frame directly to the axle. I will be retaining the swing arm and attaching the frame to the shock mount stud on the axle. This should eliminate any rear wheel alignment issues. Essentially I will be relocating the upper shock mount to be in line with the new upper frame piece.
So any comments, questions (other than to my sanity?), suggestions or constructive criticism before I start surgery?? BTW, this bike is a flood recovery bike (thanks to hurricane Isabel a few years ago!) so the frame has some rust and needs repair in the base case. I don't think I would do this to a pristine VN750! Thanks.
What the PO's have done -
* 2-inch drop rigid bars
* Stock seat converted to solo
* Marble mod, R&R, degoat and replace mufflers with staright pipes (they are too loud now!)
* Replace stock turn signals and brake light with LEDs
* Relocate license plate to left side using a diamond plate mount
* Removed all emblems and decals
* Removed windshield
* Relocated the horns
What I have done thus far -
* Ear shave (pod filters and shim tank)
* Removed crash bar
* Removed front fender
* Replace LED turnsignals with carbon fiber look incandescent units (couldn't get the flashers to work right with LEDs)
* Removed passenger pegs and mounts
* Removed side covers - will be reinstalled or replaced after frame mod is complete
What I plan to do (Probably in stages and this is Stage 1) -
* Modify the frame to look more like a true rigid frame
* Replace the modified stock seat with low profile spring mounted solo seat
* Replace the rear fender with a bobber fender mounted close to the tire
* Replace the side mounted license plate unit with a 32 Ford Model A tail light and a non-DP mount
* Some sort of muffler addition or full exhaust replacement - not sure yet
Stage 2 will probably be paint and maybe some mods to the front fork, headlight and instruments, and perhaps drag bars, but I am not thinking that far ahead yet!
Here is a photo with the top frame modification indicated - basically a straight line from the tree to the rear axle for a true rigid frame look. A lower frame piece (not shown) will be added as well.
The frame above the blue line will be cut off and a new upper frame rail will be fabbed and installed from the bottom rear of the tank to the shock mount on the rear axle. My intent is to keep as much of the Kawasaki-engineered frame structure as possible. This is a different approach than was done by Bucky or some of the bikes on CD Thayer's site where I believe they have removed the swingarm set up and attached the new frame directly to the axle. I will be retaining the swing arm and attaching the frame to the shock mount stud on the axle. This should eliminate any rear wheel alignment issues. Essentially I will be relocating the upper shock mount to be in line with the new upper frame piece.
So any comments, questions (other than to my sanity?), suggestions or constructive criticism before I start surgery?? BTW, this bike is a flood recovery bike (thanks to hurricane Isabel a few years ago!) so the frame has some rust and needs repair in the base case. I don't think I would do this to a pristine VN750! Thanks.