Last Ride With The GZ

[mrlmd1]

Pictures, pictures, we need pictures.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Today I installed a drivers backrest and a windshield is also coming soon.

Ah ha! You appear to be the perfect person for this question. I've been wondering for a while now if it would be practical to adapt a drivers backrest from another model to work on the GZ.
Your opinion ??

Be careful with putting that windshield on. Once installed, you might never SEE her again !!! :crackup

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

I've been wondering for a while now if it would be practical to adapt a drivers backrest from another model to work on the GZ.

I know you were asking WW, but if I might be allowed to throw my two pennorth in here :-

I think that might depend on a thing or two - What is your level of expertise with steelwork? Do you have a workshop with a good selection of tools, such as cutters, welders, grinders? Lastly, do you ride with or without the pillion attached to the bike?

I've got a fully equipped workshop, where I "make things" for people. (I'm retired, & it passes the time). I've also got a lot of knowledge & expertise (not being big headed, just stating a fact!), so I think that if I wanted to adapt the backrest that I took off the "cissy bar" when I adapted the luggage rack, I could easily make a frame, especially (but not restricted to) if riding without a pillion seat.

I don't think "practical" as much as "mechanical ability" with inanimate objects, applies here.

[Water Warrior 2]

Drivers backrests are mostly very model specific. Has a lot to do with the mounting on the bike and available useable bolt locations and strength etc. Go to Google and find Grasshopper backrest. Should give you a couple ideas. The backrest could be made to fit depending on your level expertise and imagination. Easy, if I remember correctly you never ride 2 up so you might consider a trunk in place of the pillion seat. Lynda found it made an ideal backrest.

[music man]

Considering that this is all that is holding it on there it shouldnt be any problem to mount one of these on the GZ.

http://www.grasshopperlimited.com/installation.html

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by music man

Considering that this is all that is holding it on there it shouldnt be any problem to mount one of these on the GZ.

http://www.grasshopperlimited.com/installation.html

Yuppers MM. The base for the BR might be a straight forward bolt on after a little bending.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alantf

I think that might depend on a thing or two - What is your level of expertise with steelwork?

I've got tools and experience. I might have considered "fabricate your own" 40 years ago but not now. I don't want one that bad. Drill an extra hole or two in a standard one is about all I care to do.

And the more moons that I see pass, the LESS likely I am to do anything I don't WANT to do! :2tup:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Easy, if I remember correctly you never ride 2 up so you might consider a trunk in place of the pillion seat. Lynda found it made an ideal backrest.

Yep, I caught that....with some interest....and may come back to it later. When I travel, my bag usually goes there but it isn't quite thick enough to make a good backrest. Maybe it would go on the BACK of the sissy bar just as good.