leek
n00b Ruckster
Age 58
Posts: 26
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Post by leek on Dec 23, 2005 2:47:30 GMT -5
Silverwind. Just a little side note you can think about for next summer. My wife and I think it would be fun to ride the scoots up north from Seattle or haul them behind the RV and meet somewhere up around the border. Looks like there is a few of us that might pick a central spot so nobody has to drive a long distance. Just a thought. Take care.
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Post by silverwind on Dec 23, 2005 14:22:27 GMT -5
Hi Leek,
Are the shields pre-drilled for each fixing?? The one under the hand brake looks a little tight for space but i assume all will be obvious once i have the shield kit. Your proposed trip to the border sounds like fun, I'm not sure i can make it but keep me informed just in case, you can always leave a message on my message board. We are away most of the summer cruising on our sailboat.
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Post by gadgetgirl on Dec 27, 2005 14:22:41 GMT -5
Hi Leek and Silverwind:
Hope you had a great holiday. Tried to install the Maier windshield but it appears we have 1" handlebars on the BR. The windshield I ordered came with the 7/8" clamp. I couldn't find a Maier 1" clamp so I ordered the Slipstreamer 1" clamp. They look identical. If that doesn't work then I don't know what I'll do. Will keep you posted. The windshield is smaller than I thought it would be which is great because I didn't want a great big one. Can't wait to get it on and see how it works with my riding/eye sight.
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Post by tedsmini on Dec 27, 2005 22:58:25 GMT -5
Both the little and Big Rucks have 7/8th's bars. I just went out in the cold garage and got out the calipers as I have a slipstreamer and it has 7/8" hardware.
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Post by gadgetgirl on Dec 28, 2005 8:34:42 GMT -5
Both the little and Big Rucks have 7/8th's bars. Well, that's what I thought!! And that's why I ordered the 7/8". But the 7/8 clamp does not seem to go around the bars all the way. In fact, it just seems to sit awkwardly around the bars. I guess I'll just wait until I get the 1" and try it. If its too big then I will have to go back to the 7/8 and just "fiddle" with it. Thanks for measuring the bars with your calipers, Tedsmini.
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leek
n00b Ruckster
Age 58
Posts: 26
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Post by leek on Dec 28, 2005 9:24:00 GMT -5
Hi Silverwind. The leg guards are predrilled, I guess you will find that out when you get yours. leek
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Post by silverwind on Dec 28, 2005 13:43:11 GMT -5
Hi Leek,
Glad to hear that the shields are pre-drilled, sure makes locating the well nut locations easy, and also identifying fixing to existing locations. Can i assume that there are no loose nuts on the blind side when replacing the Hex with the Allen Head bolt, i have tried to feel behind the panel and although i can't feel an obvious nut i would like to be sure before removing it. The Shields should arrive next week and i can't wait to get them installed, will post a photo of my whole assembly when completed. Thanks again.
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Post by silverwind on Dec 28, 2005 13:49:25 GMT -5
Hi Gadgetgirl,
The bars are definitely 7/8", just make sure you are on a completely straight section, the slightest curve in the bar will make it impossible to fit. You probably realise this but thought i would mention it just in case.
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leek
n00b Ruckster
Age 58
Posts: 26
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Post by leek on Dec 28, 2005 21:15:30 GMT -5
Silverwind Nothing will fall off when you remove the allen head bolt. You have nothing to worry about. The instructions are in Japanese but the pictures are all you need. You will have to remove the parking brake cover and the cover in front of the speedo. They show removing the floor boards but you can remove the inboard forward bolt and replace with the long one in the kit and screw the standoff onto it. With the front cover removed you can feel inside where you will drill for the well nut. Instructions show a piece of wood put inside so you don't drill to deep. You can also feel inside for the bottom well nut. I used a step drill for my holes. It is tapered with different steps that cut larger holes the farther in you drill. Hope this makes sense. My next project this weekend is to add Rivco "SOMA" LED's to the large tube on the rear for more tail/brake lights.Have fun. leek
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Post by silverwind on Dec 28, 2005 22:13:55 GMT -5
Thanks Leek, i will review the pictures when they arrive and get back to you if i see any possible problems or need for advice. I guess i was assuming that because the Well Nuts are designed for attaching to thin materials that have no access to the back of the panel that this would avoid the necessity of removing the covers etc. I will also assume that the front panel and handbrake cover are easy to remove , the latter appears to only have one screw visible. Will let you know how it all goes.
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Post by torontotonto on Jan 5, 2006 1:55:41 GMT -5
Holy crap! I haven't read most of it...but the longest thread on this site is over these, seemingly finicky to install, leg shields..lol.I guess ity's all good as when I get back from India in aug. I plan on getting these from japan...and seems I might need all this technical info. Sadly, will be driving an enfield over there and will miss my ruckus...
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Post by gadgetgirl on Jan 8, 2006 14:11:03 GMT -5
Hey Silverwind & Leek: Where'd you go Silverwind? Did you get those legshields installed yet? Leek, Just a quick update on the windshield -- the Maier seems to fit okay with the 7/8" handlebar clamp. I cancelled my order for the 1" clamp. Looks almost identical to your slipstreamer spitfire. Thank you so much for posting those photos and for providing the info. that you did. Bought some saddlebags -- Willie & Max Compact Raptor. They are a small bag but I like the them because they are very plain and simple. I plan to add a subtle yellow leather detail on them. I can't wait until summer so I can put on all my accessories (windshield, saddlebags, and top box) and take some photos outside. Right now the BR is under wraps in the parkade. Here's a couple of "before and after" photos of my top box.
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Post by tedsmini on Jan 8, 2006 18:22:46 GMT -5
Don't you use your backrest
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Post by gadgetgirl on Jan 8, 2006 19:32:20 GMT -5
Don't you use your backrest Rarely. Even with the seat moved forward, I find that I don't have good steering control when using the backrest. If I was going to go for a longer ride, say on the highway, then I would put the backrest up. I might have to get some handlebar extensions, or risers, or whatever they're called. Being a small-framed female, my arms aren't as long as some peoples (especially mens).
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Post by silverwind on Jan 8, 2006 20:33:38 GMT -5
Hi Gagetgirl,
Just completed installing the leg shields today, had a few little problems but completed the job in about two hours, obviously not as efficient as Leek. Will post a photo and add some advice for you before you get around to fitting your Shields,They sure look great, can't wait to give them a try, that is if it ever stops raining here on the coast. Love that top box!!!
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Post by gadgetgirl on Jan 9, 2006 21:52:52 GMT -5
Thanks, Silverwind, for the compliment on the topbox. Can't wait to hear about your experience installing the legshields.
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Post by silverwind on Jan 10, 2006 0:26:55 GMT -5
Hi Gagetgirl,
I took the BG out for a ride today and the Leg Shields sure make a big difference, the temperature is around 7-8 degrees but my legs felt very comfortable. I think the shields are probably the most benificial addition to the BG and i wish Honda would offer them factory installed, together with a decent windscreen they certainly convert the BG into an all weather Scooter.
The installation went reasonably smoothly, but if i was to do it again there are a couple of things i would do differently.
1) The instructions indicate removal of the front panel together with the handbrake cover, i would suggest that the front panel be left in place so that when you temporarily fit the shields in place to mark the location of the two Well Nuts, the screw fixing below the top Well Nut can be installed, thereby providing an accurate location for drilling the 5/16" hole. Mark the location with a small bit to match the pre-drilled hole in the shield, this provides a positive indentation for the final 5/16" bit.
2) When you have completed marking the location of the four Well Nuts ( i agree with Leek that the two supplied plastic pins be replaced with 6-32 Well Nuts) then remove the shields and the Foot Rests, i found it easier to drill and finally secure the Well nuts with the Foot Rests out of the way.
Of course you will have installed all the fittings to the Shields and Scooter before the temporary installation, so now after inserting the Well Nuts in place you can proceed to the final installation, lastly locating the Foot Rest in place and re-installing them. The handbrake cover requires a small portion to be cut away as indicated on the instructions before replacing it, and also make sure the pin that activates the release mechanism for the hanbrake is correctly located when replacing the knob.
The reason that the instructions suggest removing the front panel below the instruments is to assure that you don't let the drill penetrate too deeply and possibly damage some wiring. To prevent this happening simply wrap a generous amount of electrical tape around the bit at about 5-10mm back from the tip as indicated on the diagrams, then drill carefully and stop immediately the bit breaks through the plastic, if you do this you can't do any damage and it saves the removal of the panel and those awful plastic pins securing the top portion. I accidentally dropped one of those pins when re-installing the panel and the damned thing finished up inside the underside cover, requiring the removal of the complete front and underside to retrieve it.
I had some difficulty finding the 6-32 Well Nuts but eventually aquired them from an Auto Supply store here on the Island. The 6-32 screws are readily available at the hardware store, i used stainless but you have a choice.
The instruction drawings are excellent and easy to follow and i only offer the above as suggestions based on my own experience, with the correct tools and a little care the whole installation is a breeze.
I will post some pics shortly.
Have Fun.
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Post by silverwind on Jan 10, 2006 0:35:13 GMT -5
The rain stopped so i took a few pics of the finished product, now i just have to get some decent saddle bags and the hand shields that Jason will have in stock next month.
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Post by Kami no Chiizu on Jan 10, 2006 0:43:17 GMT -5
Man, those leg sheilds make it look so much more "scooter-like." Not sure if I like it or not.
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Post by gadgetgirl on Jan 10, 2006 7:33:13 GMT -5
Man, those leg sheilds make it look so much more "scooter-like." Not sure if I like it or not. Yeah, I know what your mean. Even though I bought the legshields and intend to install them, I have to admit that I think the BR looks a bit "tougher" without them. Oh well, being that I am "older" now, and supposedly more sensible, I will sacrifice looks for comfort -- kinda like not wanting to wear a touque when you're a kid, but then wearing a toque, hood and scarf when your older and wiser!
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