Took trunk off for a change.

[electriccruiser]

I decided to remove the trunk and put an LED tail/stop light on. I installed a 2200 pelican case and used the old sliders to mount it. Here's a pic.

[SgtSlag]

Looks good! Nice to see an example of what can be done, should the OEM trunk become damaged. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[Nails]

What changes (wind, handling, &etc) do you notice?

[HMB Don]

that looks very good.

Nails
I removed the luggage rack and rear speakers, wow was there a difference. It was quite with very little wind noise, the buffering from the wind diminished.

My 2002

[mayhem8]

My bike had the speakers removed when I bought it (used), but I still have the luggage rack on. I pretty much never use the radio so not a big deal about the rear speakers.

The trunk itself I use to lock up our helmets if we take the bike to a destination. The Mrs also likes having the backrest.

[Nails]

Since my daughter moved out, I never ride two-up any more. So I went all-in (apologies to all who've seen this too many times already).

I fabbed a rack, backrest, and butt rest (modeled on the stock back seat). I also added a new taillight, in addition to using the "Goldwing" lights.

The rack includes brackets to attach a low-profile and terminally groovy suitcase. I like the suitcase a lot better than the trunk because I can take it into the motel room or wherever. Also, for camping, I have a thick sleeping pad that folds into it, instead of dangling a bedroll somewhere.

I relocated a helmet lock from that big-ass frame unit (that was removed) to the new backrest. That padlock affair locks the suitcase onto the bike. Storing the helmet in the topcase was too inefficient for me; and it stays dry perched right-side-up on the backrest. Never mind the substantially improved COG and aerodynamics. I have a small water bottle that slips between the suitcase and backrest.

I also fabbed soft saddlebags that ride on the passenger floorboards. Lately, I've been carrying my camera in one -- very accessible and padded with my whole sleepingbag.

This is working swell for me, and the bike seems to really like it too. And it's all bolt-up -- I can go back to stock.

I plan more changes with those floorboards and exhaust hangers, and I'm thinking of making new saddlebags that includes an AirHawk pocket (a one-piece unit that slings over the saddle), so I easily can take all that into the motel also. Or into the restaurant if things are that sketchy.

[electriccruiser]

I wanted to do this and my lady rides her own, so I seldom give anyone a ride. Maybe when grandkids get a little older I can put the trunk back on. I have a feeling I will like going trunkless. I’ve had around 65 motorcycles, and bagger style are one of my favorites. I just picked this voyager up a year ago, with the thought of doing this. This was a real enjoyment for me is find bikes that didn’t run and get them in shape, and ride until they sell. This was the next on my list, and it did a great job this last summer. Rode to Colorado and rode a lot of the mountains. My friend had two of these and he really liked these voyagers, and I was always impressed with his bike, and that was why I hunted for a nice one. Does everything I want. Other then I would like anti lock brakes. I will keep this bike another year.

I just did this,so I will be anxious to get it out in the spring. I’ve done a lot of touring without a trunk, so Not important to me. I wanted to loose some weight and bulk, and before I bought this bike the trunk was gonna go. Also what I-seen others do on this sight I really liked what I seen. Great job with the removable luggage on the rack. I stayed with a small case, as a place to put a hat and a jacket, gloves, this and that. I love the idea of bags that fit on the passenger floor boards. Please send a pic. I thought I read you sewed your own. Great idea.

Thanks for any kind words. I love motorcycles, and this is one of my top 5 favorites. The inline 4 kawasaki motor is amazing. I was so happy I could pack on the miles so comfortably this last summer. I look forward to this next riding season.

This sight helped me out a lot to get this bike in shape. Thanks to all.

[Nails]

bagger style are one of my favorites.

I've only had a few street bikes, and the last one ('75 Goldwing) ended up being a bagger of sorts, too. But I don't like the flying squirrel ergos real baggers usually have. It's a bagger that romps.

I wanted to loose some weight

For mine, I think the weight change was about a wash. I used mild steel while Kawa used some light alloy. I was surprised how light are some of those bulky stock brackets.

I love the idea of bags that fit on the passenger floor boards. Please send a pic. I thought I read you sewed your own.

Yeah, I have an industrial machine and used to rig/repair parachutes. I like these simple bags, but this is just a prototype. I made them before the other mods. They're tied on with some small tubular nylon.

Top view.

[electriccruiser]

Nice sized extra storage on the foot pegs. Well done. Very nice Voyager.

How's the beaded seat? I'd like to figure out the best way to get stock seat a little more comfy. A stop and I'm good until next stop for gas for the most part, but open to ideas. It seems stock seat is thin. I'm 225, so wondering if an airhawk might be the ticket.

[cranky]

+ 1 ... I put on an Air Hawk and that sucka is hot!! So, I've always rode with beads,
so put a bead seat over it... works for me, many thousands of miles... when it
comes to stopping... my tank is the problem... GBG + sigh....

[Nails]

I left on a 4K trip (https://www.amervoyassoc.org/forum/view ... 605#p86605) with sheepskin under beads. The weather was brutally hot. By the second day, I was doing weird stuff like deep knee bends or putting my feet on the passenger boards. I mostly recovered after walking around DC for a week, but I ended up buying an Air Hawk on the road (largely on Cranky's enthusiasm). I slipped it under the sheepskin, but now just use the air pad and beads. The "meat" (mostly fat now) between my ischium bones and the seat pan was smashed all to hell and gone. But with the air pad, I got in a 1000-mile day on the way home.

In contrast, I had some long days (even hotter) late this summer (https://www.amervoyassoc.org/forum/view ... 696#p89696) and never even had a thought about a sore butt. (But damn, I fried to a crackly crunch.)

[electriccruiser]

I have a question for you Nails. Do I see right, where the lower plastic is removed? I’ve seen this here and there, and I’m wondering if there is an advantage? I’m open for ideas. I see the headers are more visible and such. Does it look like something is missing, or just better with out? I really like this bike, and a few changes I’m in for. I also keep things so can go back to complete stock if I’d like.

[Nails]

My fairing is all there.