I currently ride a 2007 Night Rod Special that I've started to mod pretty heavily. I've decided over the past year that I want a bagger and am on the fence about which way I want to go. My original plan was to convert my Night Rod into a one-off custom bagger, and have a garage full of parts ready to make that happen. I recently ran across a 2003 Anniversary model EG Standard with 15K miles that I can make a straight across trade for my Night Rod. Based on KBB.com values I'd be losing out by a couple grand on a straight trade, but I do have plenty of parts I could sell on ebay to recoup some of that loss. Plus, the amount of labor and fab work that will be required to convert the Night Rod will more than likely exceed the loss I'll take on the trade. I like the low, long, sleek look of the Night Rod and would like a similar look in a bagger. I know I can swap the EG rear shocks for SG shocks or just get a lowering kit, and I know I can get a drop in front lowering kit. I like the look of the SG, and EG I have the opportunity to pick up has already had a lot of the chrome guards stripped off the bags and fender. I feel like an 03 EG with only 15K miles is a pretty good find, but I'm having a hard time swallowing letting go of the Night Rod I've put so much time and effort into. Help!!!!!!

Disclaimer: If you only have a sarcastic remark, please keep it to yourself. I'm looking for helpful input/opinions.

Thanks.

 

well I would vote for the EG but they are two really different bikes , better think long on this one , 15000 is very low miles fo a 9 year oil bike , maybe think about going alittle newer unless the 03 really excites you , let us know how it turns out

 

I love my EGC and I have put a few mods on it since getting it in June. Detach tour pack was the first item which required the license plate being moved and antenna being relocated. I do like the ride of a vrod but it just is not the EGC.

 

1.) 2003 "anniversary year" has no special value- HD extended the model year to 15 months and produced 420,000 "anniversary models"

the single largest year of production by far- so not rare.- and alot of goofballs bought into the anniversary thing--- lots of 2003 garage queens with few miles on them sitting around ( besides 2004 should be been the anniversary- I know that 1954 was the 50th)

EG std. plain motor, no radio etc. this like the police special is a great platform to build up to a full custom or leave pretty much as is.
seems to be the "in betweens" look odd with mismatched or parts that just don;t seem to "fit" like chrome covers on some parts of a plain aluminum motor.

You already know your night rod and have a pile of cash into it-- just by showing interest in doing the work, I bet you could come up witha nice custom touring bike.

maybe some beetle bags on there, get them to hang right and flow with the lines, and do a smaller fairing to move some air off of you.

look at the FXRP/ FXRT fairing and maybe you could alter one of those to fit ( they mount to the frame neck)

mike

 

I agree. I came off of 20+ years of sportbikes, so the V-Rod was the introductory first H-D I ever owned. I love the liquid cooled motor (probably a little sport bike bias) and power of the V, but I think I'd really appreciate the comfort of a touring bike. The 03 doesn't make me jump for joy in particular, but the mileage coupled with the fact that the paint still looks showroom new is very appealing.

Good looking bike. The one I'm looking at doesn't have the tour pack, and the antenna is hidden behind the inner fairing so no need to relocate for this particular bike.

The Anniversary part of it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. I'm more intrigued by the overall condition of the bike, and the low miles for the year. It has Rinehart true duals already on it, and a stage 1 kit. It also has a factory H-D radio/cd player and the chrome trim rings on the gauges. Part of the issue with the bags portion of converting the V Rod is that I don't like the "bubble" look of the beetle bags, and without a bunch of fab work to stretch/extend them I think they'll just look too short and fat. I did mock up the SG batwing fairing on the front and like the look, but I think the rear is going to be quite a challenge. I like doing the work myself, but having just returned from Afghanistan on Monday I'd rather spend time on the road than in the garage with my bike torn apart. I do agree with you about knowing the V Rod and already having a bunch of cash in it, I'm just wondering if buying a bike that's already designed to be a bagger is the easier/smarter thing to do??

 

I dunno...

i am a multi bike guy.

my fxr is kinda similar profile to your NR- but it started life as a CHP bike. The cop stuff came off bags and fairing etc.

and I've had touring bikes as well.

when i move from the touring bike to the FXR it feels half the weight ( it is under 400 pounds) and twice the power ( although about the same) nimble, quick to turn and effortless to get aggressive.

if I could only have one bike...it'd be the FXR and I'd throw the fairing on when needed.



back to the NR, and the rear. I think that beetle bags can better complement the lines than trying to extend FLH bags...it ends up looking slab-sided with no style.
rounded bags can better match the rear fender and give dimension and flow.

but all the stock mounts put them up too high and out too far.

you could fix that. i have seen some bitchin vrods with some bagger cues... but only the headlight in the mirror and the backend as it gets smaller...

here's one, although the mufffler looks unfinished

http://www.motorcycle.com/gallery/vi...agger.jpg.html

welcome home, by the way.

thanks

mike

 

I question how you consult KBB. As if the bike was stock? And as if yours was stock? Make sure you know the differences with a STD from a Classic. You say it has a factory radio? Does it also have factory radio controls at the grips?If you are going to loose on the deal don't take it. Your bike is out there. I do believe this though: Everybody ends up on a bagger sooner or latter. You should start customizing and putting miles on your bagger sooner than later.

 

I have had a few bikes and decided to trade my 03 RKC for an 11 EGC last August. What a great bike. I thought I loved the RKC, but it was nothing compared to the EGC. I made a few changes from stocj and now it is just the way I wanted it.

 

If you want the bagger, then go for it but I would take the loss. See if you can get the other guy to throw in some cash. And then sell your extra stuff to start making your mods to the '03.

 

A few changes? You don't say.