Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500

burkbuilds · 05-30-2009, 03:45 PM

I've got a little over 600 miles on the new Vulcan now and I've added a few things and changed some too.

Added:
Windshield
Saddle bags
Sissybar/luggage rack
Stem nut clock

Modified:
The seats. I completely reworked the shape and height of the seat to fit my fanny and long legs, then I had a local shop cover it for me $110 and re-installed it. I bought the foam from Sargent's cycle products for about $80 So less than $200 out of pocket and my time and it fits great and I've done a little 1 1/2 hour drive on it and felt good at the end no fatigue or cramps at all. :2tup:

The next to last picture is how she looked when I brought her home. I actually like the look bette than my mods, but I bought this bike to ride not to look at it and it wasn't practical or comfortable to ride long distance with the way it came from the factory.

bonehead · 05-30-2009, 03:50 PM

Drastic change from the stock seat?

burkbuilds · 05-30-2009, 03:53 PM

I just edited the post so you can see a picture of the stock look.

bonehead · 05-30-2009, 03:55 PM

Holy crap! How tall are you?

Easy Rider · 05-30-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burkbuilds

The next to last picture is how she looked when I brought her home.

.....the first time, that is. Last one is the modified version.
Drastic change might be an understatement !!
Many folks find more comfort with a flatter seat (maybe due to more padding ??).
It is unique for sure.

burkbuilds · 05-30-2009, 03:59 PM

I'm 6'1" and I've got long legs and the seat on this bike comes in at 28" stock. My knees were up over the gas tank before I added 3 " to the seat and also I reshaped it towards the rear about 3", so now I'm very comfortable and the foot pegs and shifter/brake all hit at a good angle for me. This also puts me in a very straight back upright position which for me is a must because I've got several bad disks in my lower back and any slouch really aggravates it. I'm still flat footed on the ground with slightly bent knees. My final seat height is about 31"

Water Warrior 2 · 05-31-2009, 05:33 AM

It is all about comfort and safety. If you are comfy with the right posture you will be safer and not worn out from being cramped and in pain. You look good with the raised seat and if anyone complains about the looks well $%^&* em, it's your bike. And the seat looks good with a professional covering on it. :rawk: :rawk:

burkbuilds · 06-01-2009, 03:21 PM

Thanks Water Warrior! That's pretty much how I feel too. Everybody should do what they want to do with their bike and not worry about what anyone else really thinks about it.

What's the temperature like up in BC? I bet this is a great time of year to be riding up there.

Water Warrior 2 · 06-01-2009, 11:55 PM

Today was high 70s F and low 80s. Moved here from Alberta 4 years ago to get away from the winters and don't regret a moment. Nice to ride in mesh gear and look at snow capped mountains.

Quimrider · 01-14-2010, 04:11 PM

I've just started a forum for the Vulcan 500 at http://vulcan500.com I'm modeling it after this site. It's still a work in progress, but I hope it will some day rival the greatness that is gz250bike.com. I like what you've done with the seat. the stock setup has got to go. I can only ride for an hour on my vulcan 500 before things start to get numb then painful.

05-30-2009, 03:45 PM	#1
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 I've got a little over 600 miles on the new Vulcan now and I've added a few things and changed some too. Added: Windshield Saddle bags Sissybar/luggage rack Stem nut clock Modified: The seats. I completely reworked the shape and height of the seat to fit my fanny and long legs, then I had a local shop cover it for me $110 and re-installed it. I bought the foam from Sargent's cycle products for about $80 So less than $200 out of pocket and my time and it fits great and I've done a little 1 1/2 hour drive on it and felt good at the end no fatigue or cramps at all. :2tup: The next to last picture is how she looked when I brought her home. I actually like the look bette than my mods, but I bought this bike to ride not to look at it and it wasn't practical or comfortable to ride long distance with the way it came from the factory. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-30-2009, 03:50 PM	#2
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 Drastic change from the stock seat? __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me.
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05-30-2009, 03:53 PM	#3
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Re: Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 I just edited the post so you can see a picture of the stock look. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-30-2009, 03:55 PM	#4
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 Holy crap! How tall are you? __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me.
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05-30-2009, 03:59 PM	#6
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Re: Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 I'm 6'1" and I've got long legs and the seat on this bike comes in at 28" stock. My knees were up over the gas tank before I added 3 " to the seat and also I reshaped it towards the rear about 3", so now I'm very comfortable and the foot pegs and shifter/brake all hit at a good angle for me. This also puts me in a very straight back upright position which for me is a must because I've got several bad disks in my lower back and any slouch really aggravates it. I'm still flat footed on the ground with slightly bent knees. My final seat height is about 31"
	0

05-31-2009, 05:33 AM	#7
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 It is all about comfort and safety. If you are comfy with the right posture you will be safer and not worn out from being cramped and in pain. You look good with the raised seat and if anyone complains about the looks well $%^&* em, it's your bike. And the seat looks good with a professional covering on it. :rawk: :rawk:
	0

06-01-2009, 03:21 PM	#8
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Re: Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 Thanks Water Warrior! That's pretty much how I feel too. Everybody should do what they want to do with their bike and not worry about what anyone else really thinks about it. What's the temperature like up in BC? I bet this is a great time of year to be riding up there.
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06-01-2009, 11:55 PM	#9
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 Today was high 70s F and low 80s. Moved here from Alberta 4 years ago to get away from the winters and don't regret a moment. Nice to ride in mesh gear and look at snow capped mountains.
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01-14-2010, 04:11 PM	#10
Quimrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 198	Re: Modifications and gadgets on my Vulcan 500 I've just started a forum for the Vulcan 500 at http://vulcan500.com I'm modeling it after this site. It's still a work in progress, but I hope it will some day rival the greatness that is gz250bike.com. I like what you've done with the seat. the stock setup has got to go. I can only ride for an hour on my vulcan 500 before things start to get numb then painful.
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