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Mrsuperbuckets
Posted on Monday, July 27, 2015 - 01:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

So I was going to sell my buell, but I just cant; I love it too much, it would be like selling my wife "which isnt a bad idea sometimes" .So instead of getting a touring bike, i am going to make my 1125 into a sport touring monster!

My plans are to do the following
1. Convert front to cr, with tall flat bars "im 6'3 and no matter what windshield, i get buffeting"
2. Get a custom "plush" seat
3. Make some custom foot pegs moubts to cut down on vibes.
4. Weld up a rear ruggage lack to stick some massive givi's on.
5. Convert to a chain drive, and make the gearing taller, so the bike handles holding 80 better.
6. Custom big passanger seat.
7. Put a fresh set of pilot road 2's on front and rear
These are what come to mind, but I am curious what others think about my ideas, I am not massively familiar with touring. Any inport would be apreciated!
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Chopped_burban
Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 02:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would say to find the thread where someone spliced the tail section of a Uly onto an 1125CR and go from there. I much prefer the seat on the Uly to my 1125.

I thought about the CR bar for my R, and decided if I ever go that route, I'll get Convertibars. My main consideration is that I already have a GPR steering damper and don't want to mess around with buying a CR version $$$. On top of that, the hand position options are pretty endless. It was like $400 either way. Convertibars and CR both require the longer clutch and throttle cables.

Not sure what the problem holding 80 is with the current gearing. Chain drive is expensive and hard to come by in the moment. I have a Throttle Meister on mine for long hauls. That seems to do the trick and cuts the vibes down a whole lot. Also keep in mind you'll be killing your take off speed especially after you add all your gear and a passenger. Probably help keep the front end down though if you actually have long term plans with the passenger. About touring 2-up with a Buell... short wheel base, passenger directly over the rear axle and luggage... easy on the throttle. Front wheel comes up VERY quick.

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. I think you'd lose half the character you love in the 1125 trying to change it as described in your post. Just me. I love my Uly for long hauls, passengers, and baggage. And for what it would cost me to convert an 1125 to a full on touring rig, I could buy a Uly or some other sport touring bike and still love my 1125 just the way it is.

Just my two cents. Others I'm sure will disagree. Good luck any way you go.
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Captjoe
Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 08:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just throw some Cortech saddlebags on and, for rides where I might need more underwear or it might rain, the Buell tailbag and off I go. I have a couple of small solar batteries attached to the top of the cortechs to charge the phone and away I go.

Even at my age, I can still get in about 350 - 400 miles in a day on my 1125R. The only "touring" mod I did was install a Corbin seat for a little more comfort.
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Nuts4mc
Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 10:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

if you use the Google search above you can find old posts that may give you some help/ ideas...if you could search by user name..."froggy" has a sport touring set up...and if you're looking to benchmark/compare your results to another top of the class sport tourer...look at BMW's K1300S...hope this helps:
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/673343.html?1333594638

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/443695.html
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 11:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've done long distance touring on both my R and CR with them both being basically stock. Only comfort mod I needed was a better seat, which I got the Buell touring/select seat. Many taller riders have simply swapped in Ulysses foot pegs, which have a 1" drop, they bolt right on and give you more leg room.

Regarding the gearing, I don't recommend doing a chain conversion for taller gearing, the gearing is fairly tall as it is on the 1125. The 1190s have taller gearing, and even with their additional power it still feels like you are lugging it in 6th gear below 80.

As for luggage, I've always done it with the soft saddle bags that Buell sold, if you want to be cheap you can do a duffel bag strapped to the back.

I'd link some pictures but my site is down for the moment.
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Thefleshrocket
Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 11:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Rather than spend what's probably a couple grand on trying to make the 1125 something that it already does pretty well (IMO) without those mods, why not put your money into a 5th gen VFR800? ('98-'01)

They're fantastic bikes and are designed as sport tourers. You wouldn't be spending much more money by adding a VFR than you would by modifying the 1125.
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Mrsuperbuckets
Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 09:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My hands go completely numb after 20 minutes of highway riding becuase of vibrations, and i owned a 2004 vfr, but it was about as emotionless as the queen of england. In my area if you arent doing 80-90 you are putting yourself in danger, and it is a 5 hour ride to get to the mountains.
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Figorvonbuellingham
Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 09:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The best touring mod I have seen on an 1125 is a uly subframe. Then you have a better seat option as well as bags.

(Message edited by figorvonbuellingham on July 29, 2015)
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Brother_in_buells
Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 09:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You guys mean this kind of conversion!?
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/767123.html?1438142516
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Oldog
Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 04:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Buckets,
I did the saddle bags (hard bags from a uly)
Al (asb) has the seat, with seat pins,
and consider converti bars or Al's riser bars.

I also did the tall windshield, and uly pegs
If I do the bars its golden for me

Oh i'm 6'1"

(Message edited by oldog on July 29, 2015)
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Zac4mac
Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 09:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mr buckets - get a few ounces of #6-#8 birdshot.
Put 4-5 Oz in a heavy(5-10 mil) ziplock and stick in the handlebar tubes(2).
The loose shot kills vibes way better than a solid chunk. like HVMP

Physics

Z

(Message edited by zac4mac on July 29, 2015)
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Froggy
Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 09:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

HVMP bar ends can take care of vibration.

http://www.hvmp.com/Buell-s/6.htm
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Hybridmomentspass
Posted on Thursday, July 30, 2015 - 09:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I wouldnt spend the money on the chain conversion, in my opinion.

The Buell soft luggage is great, I have the small and large tail bags, the saddlebags, and a tank bag.
Ive done some 4 day trips with the large tail, saddlebags, and tank bag. That was with a tent and 'normal' sleeping bag (ie, NOT the really slim camping ones).

With that I had plenty of clothes, more than I needed actually, extra shoes, netbook (this was a few years ago), chargers for phone and computer etc

Someone mentioned just doing a dufflebag - works too.
If you want to go that route and be a little more fancy, there is a company (which the name escapes me at the moment) who makes an aluminum sheet that straps onto the rear seat of a sportbike and has many holes for bungees etc.
Ive used it once and it was great, gave a nice, flat surface to place my stuff, as well as many options on running the bungee straps
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Pwillikers
Posted on Thursday, July 30, 2015 - 09:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've converted several sporty bikes into touring bikes. It is a fun but also expensive and never ending process. And, you never quite end up completely converted. I did it because all the touring bikes I was considering were just too frikin' porky - ST1300, FJR1300 and a myriad of BMWs. I wanted a light weight sport tourer that'd be maximum fun in the twisties.

The one I was ultimately most satisfied with was an SV650. The motor was adequate because I never hauled a passenger. I did a Targa fairing, high bars, cables, Corbin seat, lowered foot pegs, Givi hard luggage, LED aux. lights and a 1 tooth larger counter shaft sprocket. I was fitting an electronic cruise control when I finally relented and sold it to my son's friend who had incessantly begged me to sell it to him. I like the kid. He's ridden it from Austin to Denver more times than I can count and is still very happily riding it everywhere.

My Buell is an '09 CR with the high bar kit. I like the bar position a lot. With more wind protection they'd be well shaped for touring. Without a windshield, they're a chore at speed.

Were I you and determined to do the conversion, I'd find a 'cr top triple clamp and high bar kit. It comes with longer cables and lines - very complete kit. If you search, I believe you'll find someone who did this conversion. I'd also get a cushy seat, lower foot pegs and soft luggage. I don't think you'll ever make it comfortable for a passenger unless they're 19 years old and do yoga and even then... Leave the gearing alone. The R is geared very high and in my opinion, the belt drive is a godsend for touring. I'd also keep the stock fairing but maybe with a larger windscreen. This would be a reasonable set of mods that would get you a long way there.

The suggestion above to look for a VFR is compelling. They can be had in good condition for $2.5~3K if you look hard. That would get you much farther along the touring spectrum than you'd ever get with an 1125.
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