Hello all,<br />
<br />
Well, I've finished my DFT conversion of a '95 GL1500 Se. I did this myself with several modifications to the body. The biggest was to reverse the door opening from bottom up to top down. Getting down to get into the original trunk was ok, it was the getting back up that was the problem when we were looking at demo's. I also used the original saddle bag latches by modifying the mounts to the body and door. The door stop cables are original also. I added an LCD light inside the trunk that is controlled by the door being opened. The same door switch trips an LCD light on my switch panel alerting me to an open door. Hopefully, this will prevent riding with an open door. (Not Good ...)<br />
<br />
I'm a firm believer in the more lights the better, thus the aftermarket LCD handle that was made for the 1800 trunk and the lighted license plate frame.
Another modification that doesn't show in the pictures in my album is the additional light socket added to the outside corner of the stock tail light assembly that provides a turn signal in the light fixture. Since then, I've found an aftermarket assembly with a yellow turn light in the same area. Maybe next winters addition.<br />
<br />
The most noticed modification is the running boards as DFT does not make them for their kits. I looked at several brands and settled on the CSC as the ones that looked like the best for modification. I had to redo the back half to match the DFT fenders so I learned to make molds for fiberglassing. I have done body work on auto before so finishing the fiberglassing was no sweat. I used the original mounting hardware in the front of them and designed a 'hidden' bolt system for the fenders that is accessable from underneath. My wife has MS so I made a subframe that mounts to the center stand location of the wing's frame. This allows us to stand on the running boards for mounting and dismounting the wing. ( Hense, I call them running boards vs ground effects or aqua shields ) I made the front lights of the running boards into turn signal lights using a separate relay tripped from the front turn lights.
I had previously converted the original wings lower turn lights to running lights so I didn't need these as well.<br />
<br />
The chrome rails on top of the fenders are from the side rails of the saddle bags. I don't know who made them as they were on the wing when boughten.<br />
I installed a 3-1/2 deg rake even though DFT says not needed. I already had Progressive springs in the forks and opted for the airbag 416's in the rear.<br />
I had the paint done by a body shop after doing all of the prep sandiing having it ready for primer when delivered. The paint is Dupont that was tinted to match a panel from the wing.<br />
<br />
I've got a little over 300 hours in this project but it was fun and would do it all over again.<br />
<br />
I've gotten 500+ miles on it so far, between snows and love it. What a ride!!!
<br />
Well, I've finished my DFT conversion of a '95 GL1500 Se. I did this myself with several modifications to the body. The biggest was to reverse the door opening from bottom up to top down. Getting down to get into the original trunk was ok, it was the getting back up that was the problem when we were looking at demo's. I also used the original saddle bag latches by modifying the mounts to the body and door. The door stop cables are original also. I added an LCD light inside the trunk that is controlled by the door being opened. The same door switch trips an LCD light on my switch panel alerting me to an open door. Hopefully, this will prevent riding with an open door. (Not Good ...)<br />
<br />
I'm a firm believer in the more lights the better, thus the aftermarket LCD handle that was made for the 1800 trunk and the lighted license plate frame.
Another modification that doesn't show in the pictures in my album is the additional light socket added to the outside corner of the stock tail light assembly that provides a turn signal in the light fixture. Since then, I've found an aftermarket assembly with a yellow turn light in the same area. Maybe next winters addition.<br />
<br />
The most noticed modification is the running boards as DFT does not make them for their kits. I looked at several brands and settled on the CSC as the ones that looked like the best for modification. I had to redo the back half to match the DFT fenders so I learned to make molds for fiberglassing. I have done body work on auto before so finishing the fiberglassing was no sweat. I used the original mounting hardware in the front of them and designed a 'hidden' bolt system for the fenders that is accessable from underneath. My wife has MS so I made a subframe that mounts to the center stand location of the wing's frame. This allows us to stand on the running boards for mounting and dismounting the wing. ( Hense, I call them running boards vs ground effects or aqua shields ) I made the front lights of the running boards into turn signal lights using a separate relay tripped from the front turn lights.
I had previously converted the original wings lower turn lights to running lights so I didn't need these as well.<br />
<br />
The chrome rails on top of the fenders are from the side rails of the saddle bags. I don't know who made them as they were on the wing when boughten.<br />
I installed a 3-1/2 deg rake even though DFT says not needed. I already had Progressive springs in the forks and opted for the airbag 416's in the rear.<br />
I had the paint done by a body shop after doing all of the prep sandiing having it ready for primer when delivered. The paint is Dupont that was tinted to match a panel from the wing.<br />
<br />
I've got a little over 300 hours in this project but it was fun and would do it all over again.<br />
<br />
I've gotten 500+ miles on it so far, between snows and love it. What a ride!!!
