Batwing & Mini ape bars final fitting

[Leathel]

I fitted some 10" mini apes a long way back and they were a step up from factory bars for me, so easy to counter steer, no longer like pushing a wheelbarrow

 But after changing the seat they were a little far away, especially while on the highway pegs so I wanted to lift them and roll them back..... No worries, lathe some spacers, sweet but now the recently fitted batwing doesn't protect the hands so I lifted that......then I had to lift the light to close the gap..... then I had to lift the gauges...then the wires/hoses were a little tight so unplug those and remove the crossover sections and they are long enough....just

 I made a new screen and with the batwng lifted and the new screen buffeting is now less of an issue even with the lower deflectors removed..... its almost not happening so with some tweaking I should be buffet free at all speeds (has a little over 70mph ATM)

so my little jobs sucked up a few weekend days and evenings after work but I like the position

 Now that I am happy with it I set about tidying up the chinese glass fairing and getting the batwing painted in style along the lines of the tank, while I was at it I repainted the lids to the hard bags to look more like the tank (they had a few scratches on them so needed a tidy). I also made plate to sit behind the sissy bar pad that will get some artwork on it....not sure exactly what yet but something Viking Valkyrie or Dragon related? I also painted the screen black fading out to clear at the top

A few pics of the work, shame I didn't take more pics when I was painting with the paint stages, IE Masked layers and pin stripes going on



































Now I just need to be careful I don't scuff the hard bag lids with my boots while I wait to get the self healing clear layer fitted (like stone guard but scuffs go back to gloss on a warm day)

[Jess from VA]

Very nice, clean, functional work.   

I never carry a passenger, but those full length passenger floorboards look right, and out of the way of the driver's boot heels.

That white sissy plate looks good for visibility.  But the sissy bar angle looks a bit extreme (laid back).

[Forge]

Looking good!  I wish I had the talent to do pinstriping and straight masking. When I draw, even my stick people come out crooked. 

I also really like the passenger floorboards. The lines of them are clean. How did you do those?

Also, what brand are the saddlebags? My son has a standard and doesn’t care for the Leatherlykes that came with it and oem Tourer bags and brackets are rediculously priced. Those look sharp.

Great job!

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Nice. Looks sharp. 

[Leathel]

Looking good!  I wish I had the talent to do pinstriping and straight masking. When I draw, even my stick people come out crooked. 

I also really like the passenger floorboards. The lines of them are clean. How did you do those?

Also, what brand are the saddlebags? My son has a standard and doesn’t care for the Leatherlykes that came with it and oem Tourer bags and brackets are rediculously priced. Those look sharp.

Great job!

The floorboards I built into the frame for the bags and tow bar, the wife loves them, no slipping of those while getting on and options to move her feet





The bags are Hardstreet bags, I got the bare unpainted bags while they were on special at $280 on amazon

http://store.hardstreet.com/hardsaddlebags.html

Thanks for the comments all

[mello dude]

Very nice work 

What brand is that batwing? I am looking for something I can bolt on for trips, and leave the bike stripped for local cruising.

thxz

[Leathel]

Very nice work 

What brand is that batwing? I am looking for something I can bolt on for trips, and leave the bike stripped for local cruising.

thxz

Its just a cheap no name brand chinese fiberglass one of Ebay...but the inner & outer pieces I glued together as the screw mounts looked dodgy

Like this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/8MIL-For-Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500C-1997-2003-VTX-Shadow-Black-Front-Batwing-Fairing/400915944457?hash=item5d5873d409:g:dAgAAOSw8w1X9xlU:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true

[Leathel]

Well isn't that typical, I get everything mounted after painting and the blue LED lights to backlight the gauges arrive....ordered them 2 months ago and had given up on the arriving (cheap freight)

 So I guess I will be taking it off to fit the lights, only 4 bolts so no a big deal but while its off I will look at fitting my Garmin Zumo 660, been thinking about upgrading that but the upgrade is a bit to much $$ for this time of the year..... or I will just leave it, been without the GPS fitted for 2 years now

[Jonesz]

Nice bike. I really like the job you did on that batwing fairing. Excellent work Leathel

[pocket aces]

Nice work! 

[Bagger John - #3785]

What everyone else said...but too bad it probably will never make the trip stateside. You'd get some attention at the various rallies.

[BCoy]

  Great job!

[pancho]

Nice craftsmanship,, nothing like having a well equipped shop and the skills to use the tools.

[Jim in Idaho]

Great looking bike!!  ...nice work on all your mods

[Leathel]

I put 200 miles on the bike today and about half of that was in steady rain....and my leather jacket zip broken so I had to take the old textile one that leaked..... My daughter had not returned my neck "sock" so I was expecting rain running down but I stayed dry, my arms stayed dry on the outside, no rain on them at all (Didn't stop while it was raining) No rain running down my neck


 So the bat wing is a great thing to keep dry

[larue]

I admire your talent, great mods and outstanding end results 

[Leathel]

I found an old pic to compare





I still like the no mods look, Would love 2 of the same bike and remove the rear seal and sissy bar on the second bike..... not going to happen any time soon though.....adventure bike first

[mello dude]

I still think the standard valk is the best looking of all the models. Yours looks great! Thanks for the pic.