Modified seat and panniers

[2big]

My 3XW came with a set of functional but tired Givi monokey panniers. They're mismatched and stand at least a 4 inches off each side of the bike. Every FJ in the Uk has a set of these - it's a touring bike - they work well but.....

The fitting kit is very heavy and sticks out a bit like an ugly banana off the side of the bike
Though I've decided to leave the fairing as it is (albeit with an original screen arriving) I'm not done thinking about changing the seat and look of the rear end of the bike. Ideally I'd like to raise it as I'm tall, also integrate the panniers a bit better. Perhaps a longish single seat too.

I'd be really interested to see any pics of any similar conversions if you know of any that have been successfully carried out

I took a trip down to London at the weekend to collect a garden full of 3XW spares from a guy what was making a chopper, all courtesy of a tip off from Dean aka 'millietant'. A couple of tanks, 2 sets of side panels tail fairing, a frame with the front perimeter bit where the numbers are cut out and a rear subframe and seat - an ideal development jig and parts for the new 'tall' seat. All for a modest donation to a cystic fibrosis kid's holiday charity
Cheers Brian!

So the question is - has anyone fitted a set of FJR1300 panniers to an old FJ1200 - does it look any good?
You can buy a really neat moulded top frames to hook them; guess these would need to bolt onto the modified rear subframe...Plus a location socket off the end of the rear footpeg

Repaint in FJ colours...
What do you reckon???

[Millietant]

I don't have a modified tail section Jan, but I have Krauser K2 panniers on my FJ, which I chose over Givi because they're slimmer, but still hold plenty of stuff for touring.

I've also got my pannier mounts as close to the bodywork as I can get them, practically. - as you can see in the photo, they're pretty close. They could be about 1/2" - 3/4" closer but that would mean I couldn't get the key into the seat lock - so that decided the minimum width for me an s I can still get my hand into the cut out for the centre stand lifting point.

The pannier frames seem to be a similar profile and possibly size, to those FJR ones and even though I could move the pannier frames up so they didn't cover the seat lock key hole, the hole would still be covered with the panniers in place. They way they're mounted now, I can JUST get the key in, with the panniers either on, or off.

Paint wise, I'd definitely match your bikes scheme if you can, with those FJR panniers. A couple of people on here have done it and I think it looks really great (I think Aviation Fred did with his 3CV that got stolen).

[Grey runner]

The FJR panniers look very nice but they are very heavy, double skinned and leave very little room in side for actual luggage, how do I know this? Because I had an FJR and changed them for Givi panniers.
You can make your own fitting kit for the FJ and have them sitting where ever you fancy, I had mine as close as I could get them to the passenger footrest without spoiling the passengers comfort.

[2big]

....Paint wise, I'd definitely match your bikes scheme if you can, with those FJR panniers. A couple of people on here have done it and I think it looks really great (I think Aviation Fred did with his 3CV that got stolen).

Another quality bit of detailing there Dean

[2big]

The FJR panniers look very nice but they are very heavy, double skinned and leave very little room in side for actual luggage, how do I know this? Because I had an FJR and changed them for Givi panniers.
You can make your own fitting kit for the FJ and have them sitting where ever you fancy, I had mine as close as I could get them to the passenger footrest without spoiling the passengers comfort.

True - they're smaller but the opportunity to integrate into the bike more really appeals. Anything must be lighter than the support frames for the Givi

Which installation are you referring to FJR on FJ or Givi on the FJ? I had a close up look at a (slimmer lid) set of FJR panniers applied to a Tracer. A really neat and secure location mechanism. A much better quality pannier than what I currently have...

If anyone has any pics of the FJR installation to an FJ would be really helpful