[dhgeyer]

BB,

OK, I understand why a sportbike won't work for you. You seem to have the right idea, in terms of modifying something to fit your needs.

I'll just make one more suggestion. If you ever get a chance to ride a standard style, something like a Honda Nighthawk 650 or 750 (both out of production now for years), or something like a Suzuki SV650 (the naked version, not the sport version), or a Suzuki GS500E (not the GS500F sportbike), or a Kawasaki Versys (newly introduced, and the first standard to come on the market in a long time), you might want to consider them as a starting point for your project. Or even, dare I say it, a BMW Roadster (I got my '96 R850R for under $5000.00). In BMW model designation language, a roadster is a model that ends in "R". The current version is the R1200R. Based on what you say, you would need to make a few mods to these bikes also. You would probably want pullback risers for the bars to get you even more upright, and definitely highway pegs to get your feet out for longer stretches. But, with their higher seats and more upright seating position to start with, the standard style might give you a better starting point. All the mods I mention are either factory or aftermarket options, so you wouldn't have to fabricate anything. The standard style bikes also don't generally have that thing at the back of the seat that gives you trouble, so you might not have to rebuild it. Just an idea - might work for you or might not.

In the meantime, the Vulcan 500 is a great bike. I wish I still had mine.