I started with a new 2005 F in Feb. In June I added a ZG touring windscreen. That was initially considered to be adequate changes.
A bad case of monkey butt encouraged a change in seating. The initial plan was to buy some one's old E seat cheap and see if the seat pan could be carved to fit, then chop the padding to my hearts content, Thx Alpha. I knew the seat pans are different, but I found out that the latches are to far off and it would take to much work to fit. What I did end up with was some decent foam which is somewhat preformed for adding to the cushion. I rough cut the underside of the forward section of foam, peeled back the forward half of the cover and contact cemented it to the existing foam. If you do this, an electric carving knife will save you a lot of pain in the shaping. I cut it where it would sit level in the entire front position. The existing seat cover has enough room to add an additional inch of cushion. I no longer slide forward as I ride along. I left the chine fairly sharp so when stopped I can feel it, but not when riding. The primary question is whether the added cushion will crumble at the edges or if the cover will provide enough compression to hold everything in place. One note of warning, you need a good staple gun to punch into the seat pan. Otherwise the staples don't get enough bite.
While talking with Alpha, I was convinced to go with the minimally invasive upgrades. With 4 bolts and 2 caps, I thought the fork springs would be painless. I ordered progressives. While waiting, I ran through Ebay and found a good low mileage Kat 600 shock, thx Pablo for the shock write up. Since this appeared to be a 3 bolt job, how could I go wrong.
The shock arrived first and I pulled the 2 lower bolts. When I got to the upper, I found it way overtorqued and rounded. Fortunately, the shock came with the mounting bolts and nuts, so I dremeled the nut and split it with a chisel. After that everything was plug and play. I started with a 4 preload and 2 rebound. I have dialed it back to 2 and 2. Although this gives me a little more sag than preferred, I have some washboard road issues that was topping out the shock under braking. It still has less sag than the original and the higher spring rate keeps it off the bottom.
The springs arrived and intended to use the Pablo speedy swap. One fork cap came out easy and the other would not budge. After fighting for 3 turns with a breaker bar and shredding the hex, I knew it was xthreaded from the factory. I got some Sears bolt extractors (these things are exquisite), hammered one on and went back with the breaker bar. I finally had it out. My concern was now that the thread fragments were in the fork, besides having the fork off would make it easier to clean the aluminum out of the threads. Since I had to order another cap and I was going to have everything open, I decided that I might as well order emulators as well. When I dumped the oil, I found some significant thread shreds. The shock was when I saw the oil. The oil was grey and opaque, but I don't think they are using graphite in their oil. Some of it flowed like oil and for lack of better description some had the texture of snot. I would greatly recommend that anyone with a new bike change the fork oil out in the first year.
While the forks were dropped out, I plugged in a FIAMM 130dB high tone horn. On the bike you don't notice the difference, but you know it when you are in front of it. It also has a more piercing note than the go cart horn.
I got everything prepped on the forks and I had to make an adapter for the emulators. I cut some copper ones ½" long with an interference fit. A few minutes in the toaster oven on broil and they dropped right onto the emulators. This saved having to deal with separate adapters when dropping in the parts. Everything went together relatively easy. With the emulators, ½" adapter and one spring washer, I had 1" preload without spacers. I filled with 5.4" of 15W.
It does ride like a new bike. It is more solid on its feet under all conditions. I was afraid that it would be rougher due to the stiffer springing, but I found out that the original wallowing was more uncomfortable. I'm sure that it will be even more impressive when 2 up or loaded. Some will question the issue of progressives with emulators, but I am running this combination because of specific local road conditions.
And to think that a month ago I had no immediate intention to do any mods.
Thanks a lot Alpha. :thumb: