Customizing... it never ends once you start.
Hi Brent, I agree, been toying with the same delema of late. 4 years ago I made the radical switch (for me) from Harley's to the Triumph lifestyle. I instantly fell in love with my beloved Triumph Speedmaster. I have entertained at times, the erotic fetishes to convert back to the beasts, but the long serving lustre of my beautiful, faithful and loyal Speedy always satisfys.
I have started making customizations to the bike now to personalise it more. This has made a much more lasting impression of desire and satisfaction. Some of the changes are subtle and simple, some are blatently obviuos to create a stir or show piece attraction.
I started with adding electric gizmo's; radar, gps and lazer jammers. Then I changed the handelbars, from stock drag bars to 16 inch apes, then onto 20 inch apes. From there I have had custom engineered bits like brackets, and side plates made. Currently under construction by my proffessional engineer who is quite savy with bike stuff, I am getting 60's style high fishtail pipes, as well as cutting down the rear guard with a high sissy bar and who knows what else.
Be warned, once you start tinkering, its hard to stop, you are only limited by your imagination. Suprisingly custom made stuff is a fraction of the cost of genuine stuff which seems to have 300% margin on it. I would highly recomend visiting a sheet metal work shop and speaking to a metal engineer. These guys have alot of flare and pride in there work, and some do amazing cashies.
The guy I use is brilliant, he takes my raw ideas, and turns them into perfect realities by calculations and stuff in his head. I am sure there are others out there.
I also just had a bike stand made for my bike as well, it allows me to work on the bike as though it had a centre stand. It works as a simple lever and raises the back end by 200mm. Great for chain lube and wheel work etc.
Go hard