RGS Executive conversion done

murphus

murphus

Senior member
Location
Lost in the Midwest
It took longer than I planned, but I finally finished converting my '83 RGS to Executive specs. Ignoring the color mismatch on the bat wings - used the accepted RAL code 3000 Flame Red, which in this case came out with a noticeable orange hue - I'm pretty pleased with the end result. The paint can be corrected, and the painter, a good friend, plans to re-shoot it using a computer color match. The bat wings were NOS and had never been painted. Glen (painter) said they still had mold release residue and required quite a bit of prep. Aside from the color mismatch, they look amazing.

I'd thought about going the Executive route since buying my RGS in 2005, both because I always thought the Executive looked great and also in no small measure thanks to photos I have from the original owner of my bike, who converted it to full Exec specs when it was still relatively new. Owner #2 hated the package, so he swapped it back to standard RGS specs and sold off the Executive bits.

So now that it's done, I'm wondering how much I actually like it. On the upside, there's no question but the raised handlebars make for a much more relaxed and comfortable ride. But on the down side, the more upright position gets your weight off the front end and the handling characteristics are markedly different. The front tire just doesn't feel planted like it used to, the front end feeling a bit vague and light. Perhaps naively (stupidly?) I hadn't considered or anticipated how much the bike's overall personality would change. What's already a not exactly small bike now feels decidedly big, it's personality shifted from that of a fast and, if properly handled, somewhat athletic grand touring machine to a probably still just as fast but average-handling touring bike.

It's not like I really go that fast anymore. I'm getting older (65 in 3 weeks) and that brings with it certain diminished capacity, and I guess if I want to pretend I'm still a fast guy there's always the Paso. I need to get a good trip under my belt to see what I really think about it, but my short reaction is, I kinda want my old RGS back. Man, am I fickle, or what? Oh well, at least I'm getting to scratch the itch ...

Exec1.jpgExec2.jpgExec3.jpgExec4.jpg
 
I've had a set of Exec bars and pad in a box for years, but have recently been considering fitting them to my RGS.
Can you tell me if the standard cables (throttle and choke) and hoses (brake and clutch) fitted, or did you need longer ones?
Anything else to be aware of? 🤔

Thanks, Alan 😊
 
Choke cable is longer, throttle cable the same. Brake and clutch hoses are longer and also thread straight in (no banjo fitting) to fit properly under the also different dash pad.
 
Alan , Andy Goode has just made the change from RGS to RGA bars as well - he has found it better on his back as I have on the Corsa - the only downside is that it pushes you up into the airflow more so a bit more buffeting around the head
 
Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond said:
Alan , Andy Goode has just made the change from RGS to RGA bars as well - he has found it better on his back as I have on the Corsa - the only downside is that it pushes you up into the airflow more so a bit more buffeting around the head
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I can second that..........bloody fantastic ergonomics, as far as touring.
Yes, longer hoses required. Go for it Al.......you will be asking yourself why they sat in the box for so long ;)
 
murphus said:
It took longer than I planned, but I finally finished converting my '83 RGS to Executive specs. Ignoring the color mismatch on the bat wings - used the accepted RAL code 3000 Flame Red, which in this case came out with a noticeable orange hue - I'm pretty pleased with the end result. The paint can be corrected, and the painter, a good friend, plans to re-shoot it using a computer color match. The bat wings were NOS and had never been painted. Glen (painter) said they still had mold release residue and required quite a bit of prep. Aside from the color mismatch, they look amazing.

I'd thought about going the Executive route since buying my RGS in 2005, both because I always thought the Executive looked great and also in no small measure thanks to photos I have from the original owner of my bike, who converted it to full Exec specs when it was still relatively new. Owner #2 hated the package, so he swapped it back to standard RGS specs and sold off the Executive bits.

So now that it's done, I'm wondering how much I actually like it. On the upside, there's no question but the raised handlebars make for a much more relaxed and comfortable ride. But on the down side, the more upright position gets your weight off the front end and the handling characteristics are markedly different. The front tire just doesn't feel planted like it used to, the front end feeling a bit vague and light. Perhaps naively (stupidly?) I hadn't considered or anticipated how much the bike's overall personality would change. What's already a not exactly small bike now feels decidedly big, it's personality shifted from that of a fast and, if properly handled, somewhat athletic grand touring machine to a probably still just as fast but average-handling touring bike.

It's not like I really go that fast anymore. I'm getting older (65 in 3 weeks) and that brings with it certain diminished capacity, and I guess if I want to pretend I'm still a fast guy there's always the Paso. I need to get a good trip under my belt to see what I really think about it, but my short reaction is, I kinda want my old RGS back. Man, am I fickle, or what? Oh well, at least I'm getting to scratch the itch ...

View attachment 84657View attachment 84658View attachment 84659View attachment 84660
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Nice job Murph.......best buy another in standard trim for when you feel like carving the canyons!
 
I left my bars stock on my Corsa with Exec bits so I can't comment on the weight distribution difference that may cause. Did you try increasing the rear shock preload to compensate for the weight of bags? I know both Paul Leclair has an Exec and Wolfgang has the Exec bars and aftermarket bags on his RGS. They are both very fast riders in the Rockies. So it may be more perception than reality.
 
henrywillms said:
I left my bars stock on my Corsa with Exec bits so I can't comment on the weight distribution difference that may cause. Did you try increasing the rear shock preload to compensate for the weight of bags? I know both Paul Leclair has an Exec and Wolfgang has the Exec bars and aftermarket bags on his RGS. They are both very fast riders in the Rockies. So it may be more perception than reality.
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Yeah, I've been pondering that bit, "more perception than reality." I think I just need to get some good miles in and adjust to it before I come to any conclusions.
 
If you don’t care for the buffeting buy a spare windscreen from Gustafson and add some relief holes at the lower edge where it meets the fairing. This allows some air behind the fairing and smooths out the air pocket behind it. I did this years ago on my Exec and I have a bubble of dead calm to sit in.
 
maybe its tyre pressures, I have found in the last 5 or so years that modern tyres need more pressure than you will find written down for 70/80's tyres that were then available, on TOG (1200TS) I use 36 front 42 rear, but I am an oddball difficult bastard
CLEM
 
I felt same when sampling basic RGS 'down under', and Executive in my custody. So much so , I am in the process of installing RGS bars and pad on Exec. Batwings and hard bags.. Gone. Already too much body. Maybe then will ride it a bit.
 
Alzero said:
If you don’t care for the buffeting buy a spare windscreen from Gustafson and add some relief holes at the lower edge where it meets the fairing. This allows some air behind the fairing and smooths out the air pocket behind it. I did this years ago on my Exec and I have a bubble of dead calm to sit in.
Click to expand...
Interesting, might try that. I have a spare Gustafson fairing, and besides, the original has a crack from when my son dropped the RGS on its side moving it in the garage.
 
CLEMTOG said:
maybe its tyre pressures, I have found in the last 5 or so years that modern tyres need more pressure than you will find written down for 70/80's tyres that were then available, on TOG (1200TS) I use 36 front 42 rear, but I am an oddball difficult bastard
CLEM
Click to expand...
I've been running 32 front, 35 rear. I'll be interested to try your setup. Also time for new tires, which might be part of the equation as the current ones are pushing 7 years.
 
My one and only RGS ride was on a well warn front tyre and it had a very strong wobble at 80kph, you could feel strong pulses left and right in the handlebars, taken your hands off and it was scary. It was fine at 60 and 100kph. Never seen that on any other bike before.
 
You fellas obviously ride RG series bikes, and know how weight biased they are to the front wheel......?
I reckon if you put a 60kg sack of wheat on the rear it might just level things up!
I don't think exec bars are going to make a noticeable difference to weight over the front wheel.
Your body mass is still sitting over the tank........well unless you've got a melon the size of a basketball and its full of lead:giggle:
Ya dreamin you blokes.......
 
hooksey said:
You fellas obviously ride RG series bikes, and know how weight biased they are to the front wheel......?
I reckon if you put a 60kg sack of wheat on the rear it might just level things up!
I don't think exec bars are going to make a noticeable difference to weight over the front wheel.
Your body mass is still sitting over the tank........well unless you've got a melon the size of a basketball and its full of lead:giggle:
Ya dreamin you blokes.......
Click to expand...
I'll respectfully disagree in as much as with the stock bars you can slide up close to the tank and put your weight forward; not so much with the exec setup.
 
hooksey said:
You fellas obviously ride RG series bikes, and know how weight biased they are to the front wheel......?
I reckon if you put a 60kg sack of wheat on the rear it might just level things up!
I don't think exec bars are going to make a noticeable difference to weight over the front wheel.
Your body mass is still sitting over the tank........well unless you've got a melon the size of a basketball and its full of lead:giggle:
Ya dreamin you blokes.......
Click to expand...
Could make a race of it

Legendary King of the Mountain race at Mt Wycheproof returns after 35-year hiatus - ABC News

amp.abc.net.au amp.abc.net.au
 
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