It's ironic that events play out as they have. The effects of health and in some cases age on a lot of us has forced me also to make some major changes to my biking lifestyle. Like joedrum, zman and some others, I have had to cutback on my desires to ride long distances and realize I just don't have it in me anymore. Last weekends ride and the cooling problems along with a couple other things say it's time to change. I can't handle the standing on my head to air up a tire, the weight of Suzie and the handling in the kind of riding I do. It's too hard on my legs and back.
My first step is to rebuild Suzie to be easier and more comfortable to me so that when I can ride or have to even do routine maintenance or work on her, it won't be such a chore. So I am stripping Suzie down to the essentials, and Aspy converted to a street cruiser. I guess it would be easier to just sell out and buy something else to ride, but I don't want to learn all the in's and out's of another brand. I love my 1200's and the way they perform.
This is what this thread will be about, the conversion of Suzie Q.
For reference, the beginning.
The trunk, truck extension, antenna, hardbags, bag racks, accessory lights, trailer hitch and OEM rear fender, passenger intercom controls, cables removed. The rear grab bar rack was kept. The OEM muffler ends had some rust holes and I wanted a better sound so the mufflers were cut at the weld as shown. The sound was just what I was looking for and made access to the final drive, rear tire area so much easier. A chrome 77 model rear fender and light/signal assembly was then modified and trial fitted for the rear of the bike. I like the look and will final install it after the rest of the mock up is complete. The front fender was removed and I'm looking to options on getting rid of the fairing along with all it's weight. Here are some comparison shots, before and after.
My first step is to rebuild Suzie to be easier and more comfortable to me so that when I can ride or have to even do routine maintenance or work on her, it won't be such a chore. So I am stripping Suzie down to the essentials, and Aspy converted to a street cruiser. I guess it would be easier to just sell out and buy something else to ride, but I don't want to learn all the in's and out's of another brand. I love my 1200's and the way they perform.
This is what this thread will be about, the conversion of Suzie Q.
For reference, the beginning.
The trunk, truck extension, antenna, hardbags, bag racks, accessory lights, trailer hitch and OEM rear fender, passenger intercom controls, cables removed. The rear grab bar rack was kept. The OEM muffler ends had some rust holes and I wanted a better sound so the mufflers were cut at the weld as shown. The sound was just what I was looking for and made access to the final drive, rear tire area so much easier. A chrome 77 model rear fender and light/signal assembly was then modified and trial fitted for the rear of the bike. I like the look and will final install it after the rest of the mock up is complete. The front fender was removed and I'm looking to options on getting rid of the fairing along with all it's weight. Here are some comparison shots, before and after.
opcorn: 
