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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: afterbooster on June 28, 2010, 08:15:25 AM

Title: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: afterbooster on June 28, 2010, 08:15:25 AM
If you'd like a picture step by step please just let me know and I'll do some break down photos

I recently installed... the vista universal throttle lock, annodized blue aluminum bar ends(1.5 inches to make up for the hand space lost with the throttle lock), fieldsheer's compact saddle bags, new mirrors with integrated led blinkers (four front led blinkers total). Due to the placement of the saddlebags they now hide my "smoke" blinkers which installed when I had done the fender elim. my solution: i bought and bolted together (2x) 2 4" angle brackets which i bolted together in a z patern, (I also sanded and repainted my exhaust with the 1200 degree grill paint) with the left over paint i had, I painted these brackets and bolts black (everything has been locktited! )... I then bolted these pieces under the tail light and the liscence plate to the outside bolts. this allowed for the clearance that was needed to for the blinkers to be seen behind the saddle bags, I then bolted some WalMart Trailer marker lights to the end of those soldered them up and clipped them on to the hot blinker wires.

http://www.bikebandit.com/fieldsheer-compact-saddlebags

(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c56/afterbooster/IMG00046.jpg)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c56/afterbooster/IMG000471.jpg)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c56/afterbooster/IMG000481.jpg)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c56/afterbooster/IMG000491.jpg)
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: romulux on June 28, 2010, 08:38:35 AM
Thanks for posting this -- I have some Nelson Rigg bags that just rest against the blinkers, which I've never liked.

I think I'll have a shot at doing the same thing.
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: jeremy_nash on June 28, 2010, 10:27:11 AM
I would've mounted them vertically, but thats just me, should be plenty visible tho!
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: werase643 on June 28, 2010, 11:01:41 AM
your tag is expired..... :confused:
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: afterbooster on June 28, 2010, 12:04:11 PM
yep... recieved the new ones a bit ago and havent gotten to putting them on...
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: drduimstra on June 28, 2010, 12:26:36 PM
is that a thumb throttle?
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: afterbooster on June 28, 2010, 12:30:48 PM
yepper... it has a rubber ring inside of a plastic ring which is tighened to fit the grip then the metal clip tightens down on the plastic housing to lock it in place but still allow for it to be "force" twisted if need be
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: drduimstra on June 28, 2010, 01:04:35 PM
where can I get a hold of one of those?
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: pandymai on June 28, 2010, 01:14:02 PM
Quote from: drduimstra on June 28, 2010, 12:26:36 PM
is that a thumb throttle?

it's not actually a thumb throttle. it's a thumb-actuated lock for the throttle. it's used to lock the throttle in whatever position you twisted it to, in order to make cruising at speeds on open roads easier. kind of like cruise control.
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: afterbooster on June 28, 2010, 01:23:10 PM
yea, i guess i misunderstood the question, but I just picked one up localy, but you can find them on ebay... or usualy any shop will order them
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: tt_four on June 28, 2010, 07:55:58 PM
I definitely remember dealing with turn signals when I used to have saddle bags like those. The bags were always pressed up against them, but it worked ok. I'd definitely love a throttle lock for occasional long trips, but I don't take enough trips to ever justify getting one. I think I'm too busy getting blasted by wind to even realize my hand could be getting tired.
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: Eklipse on June 28, 2010, 08:03:25 PM
Is that a passenger backrest? What is it/how sturdy is it? My fiance really wants some kind of backrest she can lean against while she's riding with me.
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: afterbooster on June 29, 2010, 05:12:12 AM
Yea, Its the Corbin Gunfighter Lady with the 0s-2 backrest I think... The girlfriend loves it... I've had her compare the stock vs corbin vs corbin with backrest and she says it just makes her feel ten times safer and she enjoys riding alot more.
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: afterbooster on February 02, 2011, 12:11:47 PM
So I've had some freetime on my hands and recently made a few more modifications, I Haven't taken any photos yet, but if anyone wants them I can... I ran all black wiring and actually mounted the blinkers directly onto the saddle bags. I used a regular vehicle trailer hookup which i stashed under the LP. I ran all black wires and kept them pretty tight looking by running the wiring through the velcro straps and all. I also installed two switches which i stashed under the right fender one turns on all my blinkers to use them as running lights and one hot wires them to work as hazard lights. the hazard lights were a mistake that i thought would be good to just roll with it and make it work. I was pretty impressed with the results. If interested I can pop up some pictures.
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: rohde88 on February 02, 2011, 02:22:27 PM
Quote from: afterbooster on February 02, 2011, 12:11:47 PM
So I've had some freetime on my hands and recently made a few more modifications, I Haven't taken any photos yet, but if anyone wants them I can... I ran all black wiring and actually mounted the blinkers directly onto the saddle bags. I used a regular vehicle trailer hookup which i stashed under the LP. I ran all black wires and kept them pretty tight looking by running the wiring through the velcro straps and all. I also installed two switches which i stashed under the right fender one turns on all my blinkers to use them as running lights and one hot wires them to work as hazard lights. the hazard lights were a mistake that i thought would be good to just roll with it and make it work. I was pretty impressed with the results. If interested I can pop up some pictures.

how often do you remove the bags?
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: sveach on February 09, 2011, 12:49:52 PM
Quote from: afterbooster on February 02, 2011, 12:11:47 PM
So I've had some freetime on my hands and recently made a few more modifications, I Haven't taken any photos yet, but if anyone wants them I can... I ran all black wiring and actually mounted the blinkers directly onto the saddle bags. I used a regular vehicle trailer hookup which i stashed under the LP. I ran all black wires and kept them pretty tight looking by running the wiring through the velcro straps and all. I also installed two switches which i stashed under the right fender one turns on all my blinkers to use them as running lights and one hot wires them to work as hazard lights. the hazard lights were a mistake that i thought would be good to just roll with it and make it work. I was pretty impressed with the results. If interested I can pop up some pictures.

I've always wanted to add that functionality to my blinkers - both the running lights, and the hazards. Can you give more detail on that? I am very interested...
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on February 09, 2011, 03:46:15 PM
That's pretty cool, I want to get some saddle bags. I love my throttle lock, even for short trips if you need to adjust mirrors or anything it's pretty handy.
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: Suzuki Stevo on February 09, 2011, 05:16:19 PM
Your Fielshear bags must be larger than mine because I don't have that kind of problem with my turn signals?

EDIT: Maybe yours are positioned diff because of the passenger?

(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mcamp03.jpg)

(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mcamp04.jpg)
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: noworries on February 10, 2011, 04:43:38 AM
Suzuki Steveo, good luggage set-up u've got there. Cld u post some details as to manufacturer/cost/supplier, plse? Is it easy to find a comfortable riding position with the bags strapped across the passenger part of the saddle?
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: zirconx on February 10, 2011, 07:00:58 AM
Quote from: noworries on February 10, 2011, 04:43:38 AM
Suzuki Steveo, good luggage set-up u've got there. Cld u post some details as to manufacturer/cost/supplier, plse? Is it easy to find a comfortable riding position with the bags strapped across the passenger part of the saddle?

I was wondering the same thing so I did some googling last night and matched up the pictures.  Its these bags here: http://www.compacc.com/p/Fieldsheer-Expander-Saddle-Bag-Closeout
(http://www.compacc.com/images/product/200/20155_1.jpg) (http://www.compacc.com/p/Fieldsheer-Expander-Saddle-Bag-Closeout)


Update: and I just found them for $89 and free shipping http://www.motorcyclegear.com/browse/view_product_images/2967
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: Suzuki Stevo on February 10, 2011, 09:00:19 AM
Mine are the Fieldsheer Expander Saddlebags and Tail bag, the look has changed a bit over time.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/closeouts/luggage/fieldsheer/expander_motorcycle_saddlebags.html (http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/closeouts/luggage/fieldsheer/expander_motorcycle_saddlebags.html)

http://www.motoworldonline.com/Fieldsheer-Expander-Saddle-Bags_p_258.html (http://www.motoworldonline.com/Fieldsheer-Expander-Saddle-Bags_p_258.html)

(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/2009_Fieldsheer_Expander_Saddlebag.jpg)
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: noworries on February 10, 2011, 11:43:52 PM
Tx, guys, for the info  :)
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: Suzuki Stevo on February 11, 2011, 12:15:01 AM
Quote from: noworries on February 10, 2011, 11:43:52 PM
Tx, guys, for the info  :)

If you look this photo, you can see the Velcro that connects the two bags...

(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/2009_Fieldsheer_Expander_Saddlebag.jpg)

Maybe the OP had turn signal issues because his bags appear to be farther apart???

(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c56/afterbooster/IMG00046.jpg)

The two straps holding mine are as close as I can get them, there is only about 1/4 inch of Velcro left to connect the bags any closer to each other, the exposed Velcro can be seen ay the upper left and lower right strap locations...

(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/softluggage.jpg)

And if you look at the rear strap that connects the two bags, my strap goes above the Lic plate the OP's goes below it...
NOTE: I have never had a passenger on my bike with the soft luggage on also, 2 pep's I take a 650cc  :whisper:

(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mcamp03.jpg)
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: afterbooster on February 14, 2011, 12:46:29 PM
I picked up my saddle bags here...http://www.bikebandit.com/fieldsheer-compact-saddlebags
however not for that price!!!! they were on clearance for like 60 if i remember correctly! also i have them set up on a Corbin seat rather than the stock... i have the Velcro as tight as i can get them due to them being loose and almost hitting the tire on the first test ride... the blinkers have come in handy multiple times I can toss up some pictures when i pull her out from under the winter blanket, basically i just ran one wire from the right blinker to a switch and the output of the switch went to the left blinker, it was unbelievably simple wiring... I'll for sure get some pictures up once she's fired up for the year...
also the blinker issue, i did the fenderectomy and solved my blinker issues with this...
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs106.snc1/4602_518326584368_215700960_31178770_7176341_n.jpg)
(http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs106.snc1/4602_518325501538_215700960_31178718_7736407_n.jpg)
so thats why it hides my blinkers, and forced me to do some problem solving...
plus I really like how the blinkers come off with the bags now, I usually take the bags off when we get to the campsite or whenever i get to a destination and plan on going for a joy ride rather than a we need to get here by set time...
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: zirconx on March 09, 2011, 04:25:19 PM
I ordered the Fieldsheer Expander saddlebags because I saw from this thread that they fit the bike ok. Here's an FYI for people considering these: They only open through a slit at the top!  >:( Not sure how I'm supposed to pack a tent, sleeping bag, over night bag, etc. bulky items into these. I thought they would unzip on 3 sides like my friends' saddlebags.  Ugh sometimes I hate ordering things sight unseen. 
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: ragecage23 on March 09, 2011, 07:21:42 PM
to the OP: how do you like that throttle lock? I've been thinking about buying one too...how easy was it to set up and install?
Title: Re: Tail light relocation due to saddle bags and vista throttle lock
Post by: afterbooster on March 29, 2011, 10:05:55 AM
The throttle lock was cake to set up in ten minutes, and I really enjoy it for longer hauls, I think it ran like 20-25 bucks as for the bags I'll probably have them on later this week with some more detailed pictures, yes the bags only open by two zippers on the top, as for packing a tent, I usually pack it in a waterproof camping bag and strap it on top of the two saddlebags.