R3 touring bags on a classic/roadster

Well I am a picky bastard and I want what isn't made. So I started a project this winter of making my 07 classic more like a touring. You know, with the hard bags and dual exhausts, just not the skinny ass rear rim or the annoying gauge cluster in the tank. Although I would love a teardrop tank, just not with the gauges in it. Maybe next winter.

Anyway, started this back in January and I am finally done, so I thought I'd show off a few things I did to share for the idea bank.

I got these sexy *****es last summer off ebay. Some dealership did a trike conversion so I got em for a cool $600




And that was where the simple died...
Everything after that was not even remotely bolt on, easy, or inexpensive.

Originally I tried using the rear hole on the fender to mount the bracket with a spacer. Didn't look too bad actually. I wanted to retain the chrome triangle side covers though, and with the front of the bracket below them, the bags tilted forward too much in my opinion.



Homework showed me that the touring rear frame had a eyelet hanging down to mount the bags so I replicated it.

Front mount. Didn't want to weld on the frame, so I cut off the eyelet end of the bag brackets and ground them clean for mock up.



That was actually very close, so I made some plates to tack the bracket onto.



I then transferred to the bench and heated the tube with the torch till it glowed and hammered it flat. Welded it up and trimmed the bracket. A little paint and we are in business!

Now, onto the exhaust. The bracket I had previously made would no longer work. Since I have the bag brackets, lets use them! Well they needed more modification. The original bolt holes and bushings on the bottom were too close to the frame. So I cut some 3/4 washers and welded in the pieces to move the bushings outward. You can see that in this picture.



I also made a new crossover pipe to move the exhaust to the other side due to height problems.



After looking at it, I didn't like the single pipe look. Just didn't seem right. So I ordered another pipe.
Harley Nightstick btw.

Pipe needed modification. So hence more mock-up.

Horray plasma cutter



Too short. Not quite.


Much better!


Now we are getting somewhere!


On a side note. I put some stainless wire in my MIG welder. Should have been easy, but its set up to use 10lb spools, not 2 lb ones. I made a new 5/8 spindle for it and hooked it all up. Worked great for like 3 seconds. I forgot to put any drag on the spool and it just kept spinning and instantly birds nested and I lost about 15% of the whole thing!

New muffler came in! I immediately tore it a part and started adding louvers to the core. Straight pipes, no thank you!


I tore down the other one and repacked them both with fiberglass wrap

New mock up


Getting better!
Ordered plates and a cone for the new muffler.

On to the bags. Back from paint and looking good!


Educational moment.
Trike conversions strip one saddle bag down to nothing. There is A LOT of hardware that is taken. It is VERY expensive to replace all of it. Like almost $300. Be warned. Also now you need a new locking mechanism as well as a new tumbler and key and you cannot purchase matching ones for your bike!

New Mechanism



Took out the tumber and was off to the locksmith to get them all to match




I did all this last fall. I still was not ready when my bags were painted because I needed the latches, and coves, and more hardware. More $100 bills...

I had to remove the exhaust again to make room for the floor boards. I didn't realize I would need them until I looked at the passenger pegs. That will never work!



I decided to port the exhaust and give it nice flow since I had it off again. Btw, grinding on stainless takes forever!



I also made standouts for the shields to mount to







I just realized that when I did this the other day I neglected to take pictures. ****it all...

Well I can tell you I ordered the chrome side covers off of a touring thinking they would bolt up. They don't. The 2 front bolts do though, so I used them as a template!

Here is what I am talking about. Pics from a r3t





So this part was pure hell. I took some .250 plate and drilled 2 hoes in it to match the board brackets. Easy enough. But then I had to sand off by hand behind the frame. That took forever. Then hold the whole assembly with one hand and tack it to the frame at the top. Once that was done, remove everything again and weld it underneath. I hate welding upside down. 10" from the concrete floor on an angle. Just kill me. Took forever. Literally like 3+ hours for both side to get it completely done as it had to be stitched and my knees were in hell.
.....Lots of beer.

A few shots of paint, and reassembly.

BAM!

So reassembly is done. Out of the garage to wash off 3+ months of dust.

Rear brace bracket still needs some love as it was too short, but I have a sleeve in it for now and will weld it up later.









So there you have it. I need to add rear crash guards and a helmet lock to said guards, but that is my upgrade for 2016 winter. Maybe next winter I can extend the rear fender, or add a hard trunk. Or maybe a road glide fairing, or build a custom teardrop tank........

All in all guys, not counting my time, I have over $1500 in this project for materials and paint.
Not bad for bags, brackets, stainless exhaust, paint, and passenger boards.

Wow...that's a ton of work and $$. Looking backwards it would have been a lot cheaper to just buy some aftermarket bags and brackets.

Holy hell. I came here all prepared to tell some optimist asking "I can just mount the Touring bags on my Roadster easily, right?" that hell no, you can't. Apparently you can!

But boy that's a lot of hard work. Kudos for a great modfication, that bike is the only one of its kind. Turned out great too. Could be done cheaper with some aftermarket cheapo bags and a crap mounting system, but that wouldn't have been the same obviously.

Though... not sure if it really makes sense for most people, since Corbin's bags can be had for about $2000. More money, less hard labor.

For next time, may I suggest a hydraulic jack and a lift adapter? Easier to do the work if the bike is a few feet up...!

À lot of work with an excellent outcome you have to love it when a plan works out this good,

Wow, that bike looks factory quality. Nicely done and the triumph R3T panniers are bigger than the corbins.
Job well done

Ridefree

Excellent job & write up. Bike looks great

Thanks guys. It was a lot of work, but I like the end result. I did think about the corbins, but even then you'd still have to throw another $400 or so to get them painted.

I am looking at getting some jackbequick plates. Up in the air would have been a back saver for sure!
I left out the part of this build when the bike fell. Many tears were shed.