Miles Long
Well-Known Member
Over the winter I completed a few mods to make the "traveling" version of Frankenmax a bit more user friendly. Got to try them out for size today!
It's a tossup as to the most useful alteration, between the driver footpeg relocation( moved 2" ahead, 1" down, shift and brake pedals lengthened to match), and the new vented/adjustable windshield on the larger fairing (to replace the original modified Slipstreamer, an unfortunate victim of a workshop accident)
The relocated pegs make the bike soooo much more comfortable, both when under way and at stops. My legs are not nearly as cramped as before (my inseam is only 30", but I had previously lowered the seat about 1 1/2")
And when at stops - no more banging the shins, and no more concern about getting a pantcuff caught on the footpeg, when extending your leg down. This only happened to me once, years ago, but it's a lesson not soon forgotten!
I did some research before making the new windshield. Popular opinion has it that most noise is caused by a low-pressure zone being formed behind a
solid windshield, which consequently brings in air currents which buffet the area around the rider's head and chest. So a vented windshield allows the pressure to equalize on both sides of the shield, drastically reducing noise.
I found today that with the shield in it's lowest position and most narrow angle(close to the fairing), I could see over the top , which is what I prefer when around town. Still, there was a whistling sound around the helmet.
But by increasing the angle just a few degrees, the helmet noise disappeared completely!
And on the highway - raising the shield to maximum and maxing out the angle (now looking thru the plexiglass) I could hear the stereo clear, without maxing out the volume!
Other mods are a GPS unit that slides back into the tank bag when not in use (no more need to disconnect from a bracket and the power source, and store elsewhere)
A driver backrest/hidden storage compartment, which is a supplement to one previously installed. Great place to keep cameras and other valuables (a "secret" latch must be triggered to open it) The backrest is very comfortable, especially with my feet on the forward footrests fastened to the engine guards.
And a new light bar up front. I already had a blacked out version , but I couldn't pass up dual 4"stainless steel housings with 55 watt H3 bulbs for $14.99 at Princess Auto! All I had to add were the eyelids, fabbed for another set years ago.
Also put 1157 bulbs behind the reflectors on either side of the VMax logo.
The low wattage element mates with the LED clearance light circuit, the higher watts are emergency flashers, which mate with flashers in one of the taillights.
I think the touring version of the bike is now complete. It will never be a Wing or a Venture, but functions quite nicely for getting me where I want to go. The 6 liter aux gas tank and the Venture final drive give it a good range between stops (300+ km) and decent gas mileage.
And it only takes a few hours to return the bike to the "street" version....smaller fairing, no sound, no crash bars, no bags or seat storage, No trunk assembly, smaller aux. gas tank, and a passenger backrest unit. Also about 80 pounds lighter!
Bring on the next road trip!
It's a tossup as to the most useful alteration, between the driver footpeg relocation( moved 2" ahead, 1" down, shift and brake pedals lengthened to match), and the new vented/adjustable windshield on the larger fairing (to replace the original modified Slipstreamer, an unfortunate victim of a workshop accident)
The relocated pegs make the bike soooo much more comfortable, both when under way and at stops. My legs are not nearly as cramped as before (my inseam is only 30", but I had previously lowered the seat about 1 1/2")
And when at stops - no more banging the shins, and no more concern about getting a pantcuff caught on the footpeg, when extending your leg down. This only happened to me once, years ago, but it's a lesson not soon forgotten!
I did some research before making the new windshield. Popular opinion has it that most noise is caused by a low-pressure zone being formed behind a
solid windshield, which consequently brings in air currents which buffet the area around the rider's head and chest. So a vented windshield allows the pressure to equalize on both sides of the shield, drastically reducing noise.
I found today that with the shield in it's lowest position and most narrow angle(close to the fairing), I could see over the top , which is what I prefer when around town. Still, there was a whistling sound around the helmet.
But by increasing the angle just a few degrees, the helmet noise disappeared completely!
And on the highway - raising the shield to maximum and maxing out the angle (now looking thru the plexiglass) I could hear the stereo clear, without maxing out the volume!
Other mods are a GPS unit that slides back into the tank bag when not in use (no more need to disconnect from a bracket and the power source, and store elsewhere)
A driver backrest/hidden storage compartment, which is a supplement to one previously installed. Great place to keep cameras and other valuables (a "secret" latch must be triggered to open it) The backrest is very comfortable, especially with my feet on the forward footrests fastened to the engine guards.
And a new light bar up front. I already had a blacked out version , but I couldn't pass up dual 4"stainless steel housings with 55 watt H3 bulbs for $14.99 at Princess Auto! All I had to add were the eyelids, fabbed for another set years ago.
Also put 1157 bulbs behind the reflectors on either side of the VMax logo.
The low wattage element mates with the LED clearance light circuit, the higher watts are emergency flashers, which mate with flashers in one of the taillights.
I think the touring version of the bike is now complete. It will never be a Wing or a Venture, but functions quite nicely for getting me where I want to go. The 6 liter aux gas tank and the Venture final drive give it a good range between stops (300+ km) and decent gas mileage.
And it only takes a few hours to return the bike to the "street" version....smaller fairing, no sound, no crash bars, no bags or seat storage, No trunk assembly, smaller aux. gas tank, and a passenger backrest unit. Also about 80 pounds lighter!
Bring on the next road trip!
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