Luggage testing for the trip

Wolfman bags on a cruiser no less

Did a test mounting of my gear for the upcoming trip. If I leave one of the Wolfman bags at 50% I can get a working back rest from the bags. Rain gear is strapped separately to the sissy fro fast deployment.

Puig Custom II wind screen for Yamaha Bolt

I searched for a screen for a good while before deciding on a Puig Custom II. It certainly doesn't improve the looks of the bike, but I'm planning on mounting it only for longer trips. The cost is around $100 which is good value in my opinion. The Yamaha screen is going for a lot more. 

Installation, while simple, was a bit of a chore. It was hard to get everything lined up straight when working alone and I'm not entirely happy with it yet. I feared that the 5.5." risers might result in the screen mounts not fitting the bike, but there was no problem in the end. The inverted mirrors and screen mounts mean that I'm running out of real estate on the bars though.

Puig custom II package contents

The attachment to the screen (plastic cover removed)

The attachment to the bars (plastic cover removed)

Attached to bars

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Installation instructions

UPDATE [May 4th, 2016]I thought that the screen would really work, but after riding back to back with my bike and a Sportster without a screen... I took my screen off. Clean air, without buffeting is just so much more pleasant even if it means some added wind pressure.

Mustang solo seat for Yamaha xv950 / Star Bolt

Mustang solo seat and Yamaha OEM  seat size comparison

 I tried on the Mustang seat while I was installing the forwards. What should have been a 2 minute job turned into a half an hour wrestle with seat. The seat just refused to set so that I could attach the mounting screw. The instructions said that if this happens I should loosen the rear fender struts. That helped nothing. Others have reported the same problem and while i suspect it will go away after some use it sure is annoying!

Can't say anything about the comfort yet, but it should be  comfortable.

Mustang seat is somewhat higher than the stock one

Mustang seat is also quite a bit wider

Extended factory cables for Yamaha Bolt

Yamaha Bolt extended factory cables

The cables arrived today. I'm still missing bolts for the risers, but now that I have the cables I can at least get started on the handlebar ergos project.

Yamaha Bolt ergonomics

Yamaha Bolt stock riding position

While the Bolt is cruiser type bike, the riding position is not very relaxed for a guy my size (5'8). Ideally I would like my feet to be further forward and the bars to be a little higher. The standard factory setup is very similar to a Sportster Iron, but I wan't happy with that either when I test rode one. The Sportster 72 on the other hand felt rather comfy so I'm making changes to get the Bolt riding position closer to that.

About forward controls

The Sporster standard forwards are 6" forward from the factory mids. This is pretty ideal for me, but for the Bolt 6" forwards are not an option (at least to my knowledge). The factory forwards will move the pegs 2.5", The SS forwards 4.5" and The Low & Mean forwards a full 9" which I think is too much for me. The actual distance might just work, but the bolts engine is sticking out from the left side in such a way that I think it will press against my inner thigh. If the 9" forwards were to work they would have to be set up significantly wider than the standard pegs. I believe that they actually are too, but I  don't know by how much which prevents from making a DIY mock up for testing.

The engine is not centered on the Bolt.

Harley Sportster stock riding position

With the planned changes (5.5" pull back risers, Mustang seat and SS Custom Cycle 4.5" forward controls the forward lean will be reduced to near zero and the knee angle improved a bit. These estimations are based on the on the excellent cycle-ergo site's "calculator".

I estimated that the 5.5" pull back risers will produce roughly 4" rise and 1.5" pull back due to the mounting angle. I also estimated that the Mustang seat will raise me about 1".

Bolt modified riding postition