To Dress or Not to Dress

[brianinpa]

That is the question!

Well i know I don't want to go full dress because I already have a bike like that, but I also know it is nice to have a place to put things when I am out and about plus Momma needs a place to put her purse, and we all know about keeping Momma happy.

I want to go with soft bags, but I need to hold off on spending money so I can dump that into the 1100, so whe do I do? Looks like the Vetter bags get put bag into service for a while. I figure that 4 bolts should be simple enough to make them easy on/off, but first I need to do something about the brackets.

Vetter was out of business when the 1200 came along, so this is going to require modifying my 1000 mounts a bit. To get the bags to line up like this:

IMG 20140101 101728 362

• brianinpa
• Jan 2, 2014

I have a bit of an alignment issue:

IMG 20140101 101657 358

• brianinpa
• Jan 2, 2014

I also have a wider rear... the wife would agree:

IMG 20140101 102003 147

• brianinpa
• Jan 2, 2014

Looks like I have some work for tomorrow because I have tomorrow off and it is snowing like crazy right now! Formal is okay, but semi-formal is going to suit me better.

 

[backyardtrouble]

i am assuming you are working on the 1200 for this, maybe a backrest with a soft bag attached to the back for mama.

 

[slabghost]

On my 1200 I'm quite happy with just the trunk. It's filled all my needs so far.

 

[dan filipi]

I vote Vetter with soft bags, no trunk.

 

[brianinpa]

backyardtrouble » Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:40 pm[/url]":3m80y4hs]
i am assuming you are working on the 1200 for this, maybe a backrest with a soft bag attached to the back for mama.

Yea, but I don't see her riding on the back of this one much unless there is a trunk: she needs her comfort in order to sleep. :shock:

On my 1200 I'm quite happy with just the trunk. It's filled all my needs so far.

I was thinking about just a trunk, but then I found the Saddlemen line of bags. Their TS3200DE will work great for a trunk for a single rider on a weekend trip...

https://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/13871/i/saddlemen-ts3200de-deluxe-cruiser-tail-bag

 

[joedrum]

I would go vetter ... mod the brackets and pop them on ... they pop off easy to and the harsware isn't very intrusive on the standard look ... that trunk bag was nice now nothing wrong with that either ....leather bags later maybe ... I will have to say Vs trunk is quite nice how it got mounted and it look great ....it didnt cost much either I think like 65$ shipped ....all kinds of options ...one in hand vetter hmmmm

 

[Omega Man]

I know for a fact soft bags w/o a trunk look hella sweet. The big ones I had on Old Girlfriend were pricey though.

~O~

 

[brianinpa]

Yeah, but some things I carry around with me I am not sure I want to leave in a soft bag that can be rummaged through. I'll see how these look and last - besides they are in the attic of my garage collecting dust. I had them on the 1100 and liked them, but the angles do not enable larger items to be stored inside. Not sure I could cram all of my camping gear in the bags like an can in the interstate bags.

 

[Joep]

Keep momma happy.... trunk always makes me feel better... and lockable..makes great backing for backrest ... if camping stuff won't fit... add a receiver hitch and get a tailgater cargo rack.. then you have option of towing in the future. The receiver hitch is nearly invisible when not in use..

 

[brianinpa]

Joep » Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:18 am[/url]":23n47xgl]
Keep momma happy.... trunk always makes me feel better... and lockable..makes great backing for backrest ... if camping stuff won't fit... add a receiver hitch and get a tailgater cargo rack.. then you have option of towing in the future. The receiver hitch is nearly invisible when not in use..

I have the 1100 for all of that stuff, I just want some place to put things on the 1200 when ever I am riding that one also, just not as much stuff. That is my dilemma...

 

[joedrum]

I bet it will look good with the vetter stuff it was a battle and still is how I am going to do hooch though the Harley bags are in the lead right now ...the vetter stuff is running hard second for sure .. I actually like the look it fits the stock light signals nice to me ...with a great back in the dat look that's just fading now days ... I guess size is a deal ...on mine the Harley bags are really old ones and don't have any more room ..if as much as vetter ...

 

[brianinpa]

I also have a set of Bates that I like the look of better, but they are a much more permanent installation and is not what I want. I think I have my mind made up but it is 13 degrees outside and the kerosene heater won't keep up with it.

 

[Omega Man]

brianinpa » Fri Jan 03, 2014 8:45 am[/url]":2f8g5pja]
I also have a set of Bates that I like the look of better, but they are a much more permanent installation and is not what I want. I think I have my mind made up but it is 13 degrees outside and the kerosene heater won't keep up with it.

Well you what we say round here, "pics or it never happened." opcorn:

~O~

 

[brianinpa]

I know O... just tooooooooooo dang cold!

 

[brianinpa]

Well I was able to get the 1000 bag mounts modified to fit the 1200 and they don't look too bad if I say so myself. i am not the worlds best welder and never claimed to be, but the welds will hold. Prior to the latest blast of winter, I was also able to get a couple coats of paint on the doors, so once it warms up again I can hit them with some clear coat and all will be good.

Pictures will be coming soon.

Now the next area of concern is the front end. I know I want some kind of windscreen, and I have been leaning towards a Slipstreamer, but I can't afford the gold mine prices of the one I want right now. I also know I don't want a full fairing on the front so I started stumbling around fleabay and last night bought a Vetter Rooster Fairing. That should be here in a few days and then the fun will continue. Oh and those are also capable of a radio installation! :music:

$ 3

• brianinpa
• Jan 23, 2014

Rooster Fairing

 

[joedrum]

hmmmm that seems neat

 

[backlander]

Like that fairing, should look good on that standard.

 

[brianinpa]

Let me just add, I hate the mobile version of photobucket!

I had to remover 3 inches from the forward support of the Vetter mount and I didn't want to bend it, so that left a straight line to the back side of the passenger foot boards... oh wait, I have foot pegs.

IMG 20140114 180558 849

• brianinpa
• Jan 23, 2014

So I just cut a piece of flat stock to fit between the two bolt holes and bolted it into place. Drilled a hole and mounted the mount. The rear bumper then needed an extra 1 1/2 inches to make it fit, so now everything is solid and almost as Craig would have made them had he still been making these for the 1200 in 1984.

IMG 20140114 182743 162

• brianinpa
• Jan 23, 2014

So there they are. I just need it to warm up so I can finish painting the doors, and then I am ready for a road trip!

 

[joedrum]

sheesh craig vetter really did make nice bag just a wee bit small is all . but otherwise they are great user friendly

 

[backlander]

Looking good Brian, nice fix.