Rummaging

[CrystalPistol]

Rummaging around in basement today, found 4 like new rear saddle bag guards for GL1500s that were in a box of stuff given me long ago by a friend after converting some 1500s to trikes. Curiously, had three lefts and one right? (would have expected two pairs?). Not sure what I'll do with the one right and the one left attached with a zip tie as they are perfect, maybe make chrome front tow hook like "Nurf Bars" for my '07 F150? It has black tow hooks now.

The two odd left ones I think I'll cut the U parts off of, fab / weld on some mounts / extensions to allow me to bolt them under the rear of trike, one on each side, so the U shaped chrome tube is like a "Nurf Bar" on each side peaking out near the exhaust. Also found like new engine protection bar sets, each side, that flare out … so they are perfect for my Trike if ever needed?

[CrystalPistol]

Well, this is what I found, and may consider using. Maybe yes, maybe not? On the fence. The floorboards are one I took off my 1200 in the '90s, but there are some nice chrome pieces there too. Just playing with ideas. Might cut sections of FB mount tube with long straight and curve on end to go under trike beside exhaust tips, weld or secure other end to hitch drawbar. If I used the short pieces like nurf bars, I'd just cut and weld to extensions that would attach to trike rear frame underneath.

Maybe I scrap the idea.

[hogcowboy]

Looks like you could cut the current mounts off the flatter

U shaped things and still have room to mount some flat stock

for new mount points and give you chromed bumper like what

is on the right currently. But that's the only thing I can see

unless you cut all the stuff off the long pieces, then add new

mount points, and paint it all black or the same color as your

trike now.

[CrystalPistol]

Looks like you could cut the current mounts off the flatter U shaped things and still have room to mount some flat stock for new mount points and give you chromed bumper like what is on the right currently. But that's the only thing I can see unless you cut all the stuff off the long pieces, then add new mount points, and paint it all black or the same color as your trike now.

Thank you. That one on the right is just laying on the floor in the picture. I have drawn up what I'd do with the "U"s, but then I found those longer floorboards & mounts from long ago, so I didn't go any further yet. One side of the "U" is flat until it bends or arcs upwards to flattened attachment point, but other side (that has welded attachment points) has a dog leg that starts about 4" from outer end of "U" so I'd cut them there, and use two "lefts" in my butchery. Alternatively, I could use the matched set Rt & Lt "U" if that one long flat side became an advantage, for symmetry's sake. Probably will use "U"s as I think I'd prefer chrome there, the cut off board mount points would pretty much spoil the other longer pieces, unless painted as you say.

I can use those longer pieces some other way some day? They too are 1" OD tubing.

[CrystalPistol]

Dang if I didn't dig around and find another pair of saddle bag guards, but these look like they would be lower on the bike they come off of and the "U" part is flattened, on both (maybe real late GL?). I don't recall ever seeing them, but they may be the ones get cut up if I need "pieces" to add. I have some other work to do later in week (electrical in basement setting up my new bypass switch box & inlet for 50A) , not sure when I'll get to this "rear nurf bars" idea, but I think It will be after Christmas.

I also pulled out two GL1500 rear wheels with tires still mounted, great tread but they are "old" Elite IIs, kind of hard they are. I would cut them off the rims, but I got to thinking, those wheels have great bearings in them, a double row on one side & a single row bearing on the other side. I removed the rotors. Found some GL1500 axles, I can make a great axle & wheel set up for use around the yard (big wheeled welding hand cart or generator caddy or ? … I have a good yard trailer) or whatever. I wouldn't use the tires on a bike, but I might would on a utility trailer (but I have a good heavy duty utility trailer as well as a nice CM2000 cargo trailer for the trike to pull). I mailed a final drive (1993 GL1500 FD with 20,xxx miles on it) and drive shaft and u-joint out yesterday. I now have just 6 un-needed GL1500 drive shafts, but they'll be used for something, (I knew a fellow used some like them for tent stakes to hold a canopy down on soft ground). The 2 un-needed swing arms will go to scrap. I'll keep the brake calipers I found (two are rear calipers, two may be fronts maybe but where did they come from I wonder … anyway easy to store for future if needed). I have two good rear brake rotors & 3 mount brackets for the calipers and final drives with spline adapters, maybe Ebay?

I need to unlearn this "easy to store for future if needed" habit of mine.