Playing dress up, looking for suggestions

[misterprofessionality]

I'm not mechanically savvy enough to do any "real" mods, but I'm looking to add some practical accessories to enhance my daily commute and the appearance of my bike.

So far I have lined up a suite of custom leather storage and a Dart flyscreen(Marlin). Some items on my potential wish list are a new seat (that doesn't look like hell or cost over $200), Heated Grips (i have no perspective on what these might cost), Engine guards (that don't cost an arm and a leg). I've already got a rear luggage rack, so that bit is covered.

Anything I'm missing? what kinds of things would you fit on a '14 Standard to make a daily highway commute more efficient, or make the bike perform better under those conditions? What sort of reccomendations would you make for the items on my wish list?

 

[tuareg]

I'm not mechanically savvy enough to do any "real" mods, but I'm looking to add some practical accessories to enhance my daily commute and the appearance of my bike.

So far I have lined up a suite of custom leather storage and a Dart flyscreen(Marlin). Some items on my potential wish list are a new seat (that doesn't look like hell or cost over $200), Heated Grips (i have no perspective on what these might cost), Engine guards (that don't cost an arm and a leg). I've already got a rear luggage rack, so that bit is covered.

Anything I'm missing? what kinds of things would you fit on a '14 Standard to make a daily highway commute more efficient, or make the bike perform better under those conditions? What sort of reccomendations would you make for the items on my wish list?

Hmmm... RLETs would be the first thing to consider I'd say. There's a lot of talk on this forum about their potential of improving the overall efficiency. :biker:
Fork gaiters follow naturally.
Welcome to the forum, by the way...

tuareg

 

[Banned_imp]

Finding a seat under $200 might be a hard find regardless of what it looks like.

What is your issue with the stock seat?

 

[misterprofessionality]

I'm not mechanically savvy enough to do any "real" mods, but I'm looking to add some practical accessories to enhance my daily commute and the appearance of my bike.

So far I have lined up a suite of custom leather storage and a Dart flyscreen(Marlin). Some items on my potential wish list are a new seat (that doesn't look like hell or cost over $200), Heated Grips (i have no perspective on what these might cost), Engine guards (that don't cost an arm and a leg). I've already got a rear luggage rack, so that bit is covered.

Anything I'm missing? what kinds of things would you fit on a '14 Standard to make a daily highway commute more efficient, or make the bike perform better under those conditions? What sort of reccomendations would you make for the items on my wish list?

Hmmm... RLETs would be the first thing to consider I'd say. There's a lot of talk on this forum about their potential of improving the overall efficiency. :biker:
Fork gaiters follow naturally.
Welcome to the forum, by the way...

tuareg

I had to look up the RLET. never seen that before I feel like that would eventually slip off from daily use would it not?

Fork gaiters are a good look, and they do get me closer to the classic styling. Do they have a real practical purpose? I think I stopped looking at parts for the front end because i was salty about how much the K10 Whitehouse front fender costs I would love one of those classic styled fenders but there's no way in hell i'm paying anywhere near that much for it. the old ones you can recover from CB750s don't fit either.

Thanks!

Finding a seat under $200 might be a hard find regardless of what it looks like.

What is your issue with the stock seat?

I did actually find a seat for exactly 200, comes in both brown and black, has the more classic "quilted" look, but it's functionally no better in any way than the stock seat. it just looks nicer. hard to justify hundreds of dollars for just "looks nicer." i'm still on the fence.

I really don't have an issue with the stock seat other than it's very plain, and doesn't remind me of the old-time seats enough. I really love the KandH 2 up seat on samurider, but again....that 600 dollar mark....just not worth paying that much for aesthetics.

 

[Lord Popgun]

RLETS slip offf? Wait till you try to put them on They ain’t coming off.

 

[misterprofessionality]

RLETS slip offf? Wait till you try to put them on They ain’t coming off.

see, now i think i'm being prank'd

 

[redbirds_imp]

RLETS slip offf? Wait till you try to put them on They ain’t coming off.

That's why there are Exacto knives.

 

[emptysea]

1,000,000 years from know, an archeologist is going to dig up a small piece of aluminum with a rubber ball on one end and wonder what the heck it is. They ain't coming off.

 

[3rdbike_imp]

1,000,000 years from know, an archeologist is going to dig up a small piece of aluminum with a rubber ball on one end and wonder what the heck it is. They ain't coming off.

"In the year 2525, if man is still alive
If woman can survive, they may find..."

Sorry, just had to....

On the subject of seats, Misterprofessionality, I always go to my local upholstery shop. I would hope there would be a shop near you that also has good experience with m/c seats.

 

[el duque_imp]

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-motech-crashbars-engine-guards-for-honda-cb1100-13

probably protect the motor but the exhaust is gonna get nicked if it lands on its side. I have these but best not to drop it in the first place. She-ite happens.

+1 on the upholstery shop. Take the cover off, add foam put cover back on.


"Fork gaiters are a good look, and they do get me closer to the classic styling. Do they have a real practical purpose?" They keep the bugs off the forks that may bugger up the seals. I don't have them but was told that.
I read kawasaki gaiters fit. Part # is probably on here somewhere.

I want heated grips but they are not in the budget at the moment. I have some heated glove liners I'm going to use. Don't like the cords but I do like the $. Summer is coming so I'll skip it for now.

The parts are expensive and the install would be too. If you aren't mech-inclined I'd have the shop do it. I'm guessing 2-3hrs labor + parts + tax.
for some reason there are two components - I guess if one breaks??
https://www.babbittsonline.com/oemc...reet_2014_cb1100/honda_accessories-grips_pegs
https://www.babbittsonline.com/oemc...d6d81f596b0c35fb1/heated-grips-attachment-kit

these guys do offer discount codes.. you have to work it.

 

[misterprofessionality]

1,000,000 years from know, an archeologist is going to dig up a small piece of aluminum with a rubber ball on one end and wonder what the heck it is. They ain't coming off.

"In the year 2525, if man is still alive
If woman can survive, they may find..."

Sorry, just had to....

On the subject of seats, Misterprofessionality, I always go to my local upholstery shop. I would hope there would be a shop near you that also has good experience with m/c seats.

This interests me....are there certain types of upholstery shops i should look for, or do you think it's very common for any shop to make motorcycle seats? Does the price often come in significantly cheaper than the imported expensive stuff on Samurider and Webike?

Thanks to Duque, that's all real good information. I don't have to think about the heated grips until January anyway. I've been riding for 10 winters without them, so it's no big deal if i don't get them, but people swear they make winter weather more comfortable. On the subject of the Gaiters: heck, they're only like 15-20 bucks. it's an easy thing to add.

 

[the Ferret]

Good gaiters like the Triumph or Kawasaki units will set you back $100. The others are not worth putting on your bike and will split/rip in 6 months. Not kidding.

You might contact Frank at Greatdaytoride.com about altering your seat. He's good, he's quick and he's inexpensive.

 

[misterprofessionality]

Good gaiters like the Triumph or Kawasaki units will set you back $100. The others are not worth putting on your bike and will split/rip in 6 months. Not kidding.

You might contact Frank at Greatdaytoride.com about altering your seat. He's good, he's quick and he's inexpensive.

good tip on the gaiter thing. rubber is just rubber right?

Frank looks like he would certainly be the man to contact, and his work looks top notch, but I'm a day-to-day commuter. if i ship him my seat i can't ride for however long he's got it, which means i can't go to work, which means....well...i can't pay the man . sadly that's a deal breaker for me. i think the only option for me is in buying a completely new seat, or dealing with a local fabricator that can have my original seat back on my bike over the weekend.

 

[Blockhead_imp]

Good gaiters like the Triumph or Kawasaki units will set you back $100. The others are not worth putting on your bike and will split/rip in 6 months. Not kidding.

You might contact Frank at Greatdaytoride.com about altering your seat. He's good, he's quick and he's inexpensive.

How To install Fork Boots aka Gaiters

Don’t be shy ferret, tell him about your ‘how to’ thread on gaiter installation...‘twas a masterpiece. :clap:

 

[PowerDubs_imp]

1,000,000 years from know, an archeologist is going to dig up a small piece of aluminum with a rubber ball on one end and wonder what the heck it is. They ain't coming off.

My main hobby is metal detecting- and yes I did one time find the last 1/3rd of a lever with the ball on it. No rlet.

I just remember thinking- somebody crashed here long ago.

 

[misterprofessionality]

Good gaiters like the Triumph or Kawasaki units will set you back $100. The others are not worth putting on your bike and will split/rip in 6 months. Not kidding.

You might contact Frank at Greatdaytoride.com about altering your seat. He's good, he's quick and he's inexpensive.

How To install Fork Boots aka Gaiters

Don’t be shy ferret, tell him about your ‘how to’ thread on gaiter installation...‘twas a masterpiece. :clap:

what the heck....you have to remove things to put those on? you're talking to a guy who takes his bike to the shop for oil changes. no way in blazes am i removing things like wheels and brakes. it's guaranteed to malfunction when i put it back together. nuh uh. not this guy. fork gaiters are out.

 

[Lord Popgun]

You can buy split gaiters that kind of snap together and are held by tie wraps. Don’t know how good they are.

 

[Nemo_imp]

Good gaiters like the Triumph or Kawasaki units will set you back $100. The others are not worth putting on your bike and will split/rip in 6 months. Not kidding.

You might contact Frank at Greatdaytoride.com about altering your seat. He's good, he's quick and he's inexpensive.

How To install Fork Boots aka Gaiters

Don’t be shy ferret, tell him about your ‘how to’ thread on gaiter installation...‘twas a masterpiece. :clap:

what the heck....you have to remove things to put those on? you're talking to a guy who takes his bike to the shop for oil changes. no way in blazes am i removing things like wheels and brakes. it's guaranteed to malfunction when i put it back together. nuh uh. not this guy. fork gaiters are out.

1. Buy Kawi gaters
2. Attend the rally in Berea and bring the gaters
3. We can install them for you an afternoon after riding, between beer and cigars
4. You’re welcome

 

[pdedse]

1,000,000 years from know, an archeologist is going to dig up a small piece of aluminum with a rubber ball on one end and wonder what the heck it is. They ain't coming off.

And she will exclaim, "huh!, I wonder what purpose this Rubber Thing on the End of the Lever had? From then on, the great RTEL debate will begin...were RTELs used to grip better?, were RTELs used to protect something?, why did a few previously discovered levers have no RTEL? Never will they realize how close they were to the true acronym.

Some rookie archeologist will be scoffed at when she suggests that maybe they were for show only.

 

[the Ferret]

:rofl: