Going to try for a new look on my 2004 Ultra

[DaveT]

Well, after thinking about it for quite a while, I went by the local Harley shop this afternoon and picked up the tour-pak detachable kit (HD part number 53303-07) for my 2004 Ultra. 

I'll start work on it over the weekend, my goal is to have the bike a little lighter for short trip riding, and to see if it will look a little 'sportier' without all the hardware.

Along with being able to take the tour-pak off, I'm also going to clean up the appearance like the Ultra Limited by taking off the saddlebag rails and the front fender bumper.  I found a set of older style rear crash bars without the mounting holes for the saddlebag rails, so those will be replaced also.

The front end lowers will also be removed.

I'll probably keep the HD 'reach' seat that's on it because it's low enough for me and I use the HD adjustable rider backrest with it...... so it will have the passenger pad, but no passenger backrest.  That's not a problem since I ride solo on the occasions when my back feels good enough to ride.  Also with solo riding in mind, I'm not interested in the relocation of passenger speaker and microphone controls, those will just be unplugged, the wires rolled up and stored under the seat.

I don't feel like I can justify the cost of another motorcycle with the few miles that I'm able to ride, so I'll transform this one to something that might suit me better now that I have all the back and hip problems.   It's a 2004 model POSE Ultra with only 15,000 miles on it, so it's in better shape than I am, LOL !! 

In short, this is an attempt to get back in the wind a bit more, I hope it is successful !   For those of you that have already done all this, I welcome any and all advice ! 

[Deye76]

You'll like having that large box off the back, not only for looks but low speed handling. The large pac's are top heavy, and affect low speeds especially when fully loaded, but also when empty.

[calif phil]

Those modifications will really transform your bike Dave. I think you made a great decision.

[2talljack]

I put a 98 road glide seat on mine after removing the tour pack

[Grumpy : (]

I put the detachable on my 08 RG right from the start.  It only goes on when I'm on the road.  Which sadly isn't happening lately.

You'll love it.

[Breeze]

A lay down license plate bracket will add to the look a little bit.

[easyricer]

I just did this for a customer about a week ago. He's short and not very stout but had to have the Ultra. Wasn't long before he found out it's pretty heavy off the kickstand when you can't get your feet flat on the ground.
I started by adding a 12 pin Duetch plug in the tourbox harness for all the speaker wires and controls and used a 4 wire AMP plug for the lights. I relocated the antennas to the saddle bag struts. Next I removed the tourpac with all the hardware, installed quick detach hardware and replaced the tourpac with a large passenger backrest and luggage rack. 
Then I replaced the stock shocks with 12 inch Progressive 412s and installed the Progressive fork cartridge kit to lower the front to match. 
The smile on his face said it all and he was so happy that he completely forgot all of his take offs. He'll be back I'm sure, so they are put away for him.
EASY

[DaveT]

All finished with everything on the Ultra.

Before:



After:


All sstreamlined, no more tour-pak, saddlebag rails or front fender bumper.


Front end fairing lowers removed.


I like the 'clean' look.


Lost some lighting on the back end, but the LED tail light helps.


Detachable mounting points and AM/FM antenna relocation.  I don't ever use the CB, so that cable is tucked away under the seat.  I use XM radio with my GPS, that antenna is under the fairing.


The left side looks clean after the removal of the HD two muffler system and replacing it with the Rinehart 2 into 1.  Whenever I get a new rear tire, I'll add a chrome belt guard cover and a chrome rear wheel sprocket cover to add a little sparkle on that side.


I can certainly see why the Streetglide is so popular these days with the same kind of streamlined look.... minus the driving lights.


The TRUCK LED headlight and driving lights from California Phil light up the night !   There are many, many parts on this Ultra that came from Calif Phil.

[Deye76]

Fine job. 

[Dennis The Menace]

Looks great, IMO.  Good ideas carried out.  God job, Dave.

[46u]

I do not like the idea of not running saddle bag guards as if you just drop it sitting still could cost a LOT of money to replace a bag.

[texaskatfish]

The rear crash bars will still keep the hard bags out of problems........I know I've dropped my roadking several times - never boogered the hard bags

[Snuff™]

Looking good Dave!  Even black wall tires helped that look.  Now lose the rear bumper, replace the passenger floorboards with a sharp set of pegs, and what Breeze stated, "A lay down license plate bracket will add to the look a little bit." 

...Maybe a set of Street Glide rear turn signals also?

[mrmike]

Ummm yeah Katfish is correct, . Tried and tested,lol.

Dave the bike looks really good but more importantly how do you like the way it handles now?

Funny most of us go out and spend our cash buying things to put ON our bikes you just pulled the tool set out and did the opposite.

Mike

[DaveT]

I do not like the idea of not running saddle bag guards as if you just drop it sitting still could cost a LOT of money to replace a bag.

That's exactly why I opted to stay with the rear crash bars instead of going to the newer style that has lower bag supports and eliminates the rear bar.  I found a set of the older style rear bars without the rail mounting holes on e-bay, they should arrive at the end of the week and I'll replace the ones on the Ultra now that have the holes in them.

Snuff, thanks for the suggestions !     I've already been thinking about a lay down license plate bracket ever since Breeze mentioned it, looking around for ideas now.

mrmike, I have not had the opportunity to ride yet to see how it handles.  I've had 30 major surgeries since my tours in Vietnam, plus a lot of side effects from cancer treatments....... all the bending over the last few days working on the Ultra caught up with me and I could barely move by the time I finished the project.  I don't ride when taking pain pills, so maybe tomorrow !!   

My right foot is turned outward a bit because of injuries/surgeries following my meeting with Bambi back in 2003.  I have an extended width Kuryakyn brake pad that helps a lot with that problem, I just need to go to the storage unit today to try and locate it.  It won't work with the older style lowers, but I always put it on whenever the lowers are off.

[Durwood]

Lookin good Dave

[Snuff™]

Lay down plate easy to make.

[DaveT]

Found the wider Kuryakyn brake pedal today and installed it.  The extra width works pretty good with my turned out right foot, but can only use it with the lowers off because of its width.

The old HD version of a wide brake pedal:


Kuryakyn's version of a wide brake pedal:


In the same parts box, I found my old round 'nostalgic' air cleaner cover and put it back on.

[calif phil]

    That bike looks so much better now.  You are going to love it even more.   Great job Dave.

[DaveT]

Thanks Phil.... and also.... thanks for that Kuryakyn wide brake pedal !   

[who?me?]

very nice.

[nwrvman]

Bike looks awesome, I have an '04 Ultra (red/siler) I'd love to do the same sort of thing someday.
Good Job!

[crow]

Like the look.  Plan to set up my Ultra very much the same way... The best of both worlds and can mix up the look any time....

[Shvlhed]

I think I would have traded for a Street Glide!

[DaveT]

I think I would have traded for a Street Glide!

Shvlhed,

Years ago, I probably would have done just that.

I'm old now and along with what I hope is a little more wisdom, the 'golden years' have also brought a host of medical issues.  Mine are the result of many surgeries dating back to Vietnam and also when I hit a deer while riding in 2003. Add in everything associated with cancer and the side effects from those treatments and it is a bit easier to see why I am not able to physically ride like I used to when I was younger.

That said, I still have the desire to ride, but don't want to try the trike route just yet.  All that I'm doing to this 2004 Ultra is simply an effort to see if it will be easier for me to handle with a bit less weight.  The Harley was paid for long ago and going this route made more sense to me than spending all the $$$ on a new Street Glide.  It's an experiment and isn't really costing me a lot to try it.  LOL, maybe that's some of the 'wisdom' of old age kicking in... for once.   

It's hard to think about giving up something I've enjoyed for 43 years, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that this will work and I can once again ride short distances.