Touring Body Conversion - Third and Fourth Generation VFR's

I've seen many body conversions to sportbike standards. Has anyone seen any conversions that go in the other direction (e.g. ST1300, FJR, Concours)?

As some of you know, I had the body panels on my '91 stolen a few months ago and have had no luck finding replacements. I bought a Magna 750 that I took on a 1500 mile ride a couple weeks ago and it is nice to end the day without pain.

I just started pondering a tour-oriented VFR. Does anyone have any suggestions about possible body conversions, seat/peg conversions?

Meh, why take the sport out of sport-touring? Especially if you have something else that fits the bill!

What you should do is buy this, see what it takes to get it to fit on the 3rd gen, and then post a write up so I can make it happen.  As for the side panels etc., well...I know that feel. I paid like $130 for the center v-piece. Some dude sold a full set of '93 fairings on eBay not long ago, and I think it totaled somewhere in the neighborhood of $1200. Nuts.

I have 10's of thousands of miles touring all over the West on my VFR's. My latest bike is low miles but not worth the king's ransom used body panels are fetching.

I can't ride my VFR for more that 2-3 hours without cramping up in the hips/knees, I'm getting too old. A 10 hour day is pure agony. Rather than let the bike go for next to nothing, I thought I'd see what I could do to make it more long distance/two up friendly.

Not sure if you've ever ridden with a good rider on an ST or FJ but there is a LOT of sport in that kind of touring! I didn't say anything about giving up my ability to go fast : )

[image: View Post]thumper, on 30 April 2012 - 10:30 PM, said:

I have 10's of thousands of miles touring all over the West on my VFR's. My latest bike is low miles but not worth the king's ransom used body panels are fetching.

I can't ride my VFR for more that 2-3 hours without cramping up in the hips/knees, I'm getting too old. A 10 hour day is pure agony. Rather than let the bike go for next to nothing, I thought I'd see what I could do to make it more long distance/two up friendly.

Not sure if you've ever ridden with a good rider on an ST or FJ but there is a LOT of sport in that kind of touring! I didn't say anything about giving up my ability to go fast : )
Right on. I've only done one really long trip on mine, but when you're pushing to make it back home in time for work, those 10-12 hour days start to wear on you. I guess heli-bars and a touring windscreen of some kind would be where I'd start. I can't speak much about body conversions. It seems like the two answers to that question are either, "Yep, this guy did it and here's the write up", or, "Anything is possible with enough money, time, and fabrication skills."

I had helibars and a touring windscreen on my 2002. It did make things a bit more enjoyabe without sacrificing handling. I think it's more in the leg position and I'm not sure much can be done about that.

I've been researching around a little bit and it seems any bodywork is expensive, regardless of the style or bike. Maybe the airtech lower is the best solution.

Did you look at the peg lowering blocks that a member here manufactures. I've been thinking of going this route for my old body

I see where you are coming from.  A strange example (but what came to mind right away) is the old K bikes.  Same exact frame, tank and seat, but three different set-ups"
standard:
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sport-touring:
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Touring:
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I have not looked at the peg lowering blocks but I will. I like the old K-Bikes and it is the kind of stuff I want to look at to get the creative juices flowing, Thanks!

I saw an old concours years ago that had a small crashbar mounted outside the fairing, and then, a footpeg and a running light. It sounds hideous but it was done smartly and actually looked good.

I've found the thing that makes the Magna so comfortable is the ability to move your feet to a secondary postion (I added highway pegs). Thanks again!

[image: View Post]AKayaker2, on 30 April 2012 - 11:07 PM, said:

Did you look at the peg lowering blocks that a member here manufactures. I've been thinking of going this route for my old body
He would be SOL because BLS doesn't make them for pre-5th gen bikes. So WTF. Just kidding, got carried with the TLA.

Now putting on my helpful hat, you can get lower pegs for the 3rd and 4th gen from Knight Design LLC (http://www.knightdes..._vfr_g34_fp.htm). My '95 was the test mule for the initial design. Very nice pieces but I am currently not using them because I couldn't lower the brake pedal enough. I've since read here that you have to trim the adjustment screw 1/4" but haven't gotten around to it.

Never underestimate the value of a good seat and bar risers.  Several of the touring seat companies (Russell, Mayer, etc.) will build you a touring throne on your stock seat pan. In terms of similar sized touring fairing, you may be able to retrofit old Connie 1000, or ST1100 plastics, but I don't know if they are any cheaper.  Also check out Air Wings for the ST1300 to get you alternative pegs.  All of this will require some fabrication.

I lean a little in the 'touring' direction too, but don't want to give up the 'sport'  of my VFR.  The VFR fairing actually gives quite decent coverage; have you looked into an AIRTECH http://airtech-strea...R7501990-93.htm fairing?  Haven't inquired about prices, but the full fairing for 3rd gen VFR's is now available!  And if you want to stick with the stock windscreen but have the option of raising the airstream a bit, I know I've seen adjustable deflectors that can be fit to your stock screen.  If they're not sold for 3rd gen anymore, I'm sure one could be fabricated with a little creativity (if someone has th mechanical parts from an 'old' one, let us know!)

I'm only 5-8, so the peg location is good for me, but the stretch/lean to the bars is a little too much when I'm riding longer.  Anyone seen any bar risers around for 3rd gen?   And just a tip; a custom seat (or even a Corbin/Sargeant if you can find one) can be a little pricey, but I have found with older bikes that just changing the seat cover can in fact make quite a difference..  Seems that the stiffness of the vinyl when it gets old prevents your butt from taking full advantage of the foam.  Covers are availalable (and affordable) on ebay.

I have looked into the airtech and am dealing with a guy on a used one. I think that is the best solution.

As for comfort on the bike, I have relinquished to the fact that my VFR will be my "local ride" sport machine/commuter only. All my source of discomfort is in the hip and knee regions and it's all about the riding position. I am also in the under 5'10" category. I've been on the VFR's for a long time and I know there's no way of avoiding that leg pain. Paying $3-400 for footpegs that lower one inch is ridiculous and will do nothing. As for the seat, I s*@t-canned the corbin I had and put the stocker back on, it's way more comfortable. (However, in corbin's defense, the seat came with the bike and looked to be made for someone with a big arse.)

I am in love with the comfort of my "new" 2000 Magna and the motor is almost VFR-like. I rode it to Vegas from SF and it rocked! It looks a little wierd but who cares? I am looking forward to rebuilding the VFR (again) and I think I'll never give it up. It's fine for Sunday rides!

I don't see your inseam listed ............ If you can still reach the ground have the seat cushion built up, and get the lowering blocks for the pegs.

I have a '91 also and I've been making sure I don't leave it out too long 'cuz I don't want to lose my plastics.  That totally sucks.

As for the bar risers, has anyone tried the 41mm Chinese Bars on Ebay?  They are completely adjustable and look great, but...

I bought a pair last fall and they aren't as adjustable as you might hope.  I find the main limitation on them is the cables on my '91 aren't long enough to raise the controls more than an inch so to raise and sweep back just isn't happening.  I've tried quite a few iterations of this clip-on, but in the end, I'm going to fix my Heli bars (at some point the slider on left bar broke off and the bolt is still in the bar).  Until then, I'm riding my stock bars.

If you want to try them, hit me up.