It’s always fun to “build” a new bike. I especially enjoy the planning and execution of preparing and installing all of the bits that personalize the bike to my specific needs and requirements for my travels. Everybody is different in this way. I’ve never been a “farkle” guy. I don’t attach anything to the motorcycle that doesn’t serve a necessary purpose, and preferably each item should serve more than one purpose. For example, the rear rack has a large, flat, top plate added that serves as a table when we are camping or performing maintenance. The bash plate has a tool box mounted to it to keep a good amount of my heavy tools low and forward. The engine guards not only protect the bike if/when it falls over, but they provide a location to mount side bags. You won’t find chrome doo-dads or skulls or flames on my motorcycles. I don’t have room for that stuff. This motorcycle is our house for the next few years, and our pack mule. It has to carry everything we need. Which is a lot of weight. No need to add unnecessary weight.

Starting Point: This is my idea of fun.

Here’s a list of changes and modifications I’ve made so far. This should be close to everything I intend to do:

• Rear Rack
• Pannier Racks
• Panniers with expedition boxes
• Touratech fuel can
• Bottle cages
• Rotopax mount and water can
• Garmin Zumo XT GPS, Touratech lockable GPS mount and top clamp
• Oxford grips
• Turn signals
• Barkbusters
• Tankbag w/ powerlet thru-port
• Kriega side pouches
• Engine Guards
• Skid Plate with Tool Box
• High fender kit
• Foam air filter
• Powerlet
• USB ports
• Rear spring
• Greased all rear suspension bearings/bushings, and steering head bearings

The list above is our starting setup. I haven’t had a chance to take it off-road yet, so that’s next up.