windshield source - question

[BobY47]

newish member, XS1100E 1978, with the Yamaha "factory" fairing and lowers, missing windshield. From searching, I think I have learned that Pacifico made this knockoff Vetter Windjamer "full dress" fairing for Yamaha 1978 and 79 XS1100, maybe called the Silverbird fairing? 9 mounting holes on fairing. Anybody have a recommendation or source or experience in locating this windshield? I am ready to make one up, but would like to get a new one if possible. THX, boby47

[cywelchjr]

If you put one of these next to a Vetter fairing you will find that these are NOT a Vetter knockoff, but rather their own similar design with it's own aerodynamics (which many consider better than Vetter's BTW) with a different shape for the front and VERY different structure for the rest of the body as well as the windshield. These were made by Pacifico, and sometimes it's possible to find shields for them but usually you must make your own unlike the Vetter's which you can buy them for.

[natemoen]

It is not a knockoff vetter, it was just another company. Nowhere to buy new so making one yourself from lexan is about the only option.

[Cobia]

Bob, I have one and sent you a pm.

[Chuckster]

Possible supplier

I have the same fairing, found this website with what looks like a replacement windshield. I have not purchased this, however, so not sure if it fits or not:


http://www.bikescreen.com/proddetail...1100Std%2E9H78

Chuckster

[BA80]

A little history on the Silverbird from DiverRay.......

http://www.webenet.net/~leslemke/XS1...inghistory.htm

[cywelchjr]

A little history on the Silverbird from DiverRay.......

http://www.webenet.net/~leslemke/XS1...inghistory.htm

That's interesting cause I have first hand information that Craig Vetter did NOT sell to Pacifico. The designs were actually sold to Bell helmets who made the fairings under the Vetter name for several years, and actually did make the fairings for Yamaha in 80 and 81, I've actually talked via email with the guy who worked at Vetter at the time who did the engineering on the Windjammer IV to fit the square headlight and turn signals in place of the standard ones that the Windjammer used. I don't know if the Pacifico's use the same pocket covers as the Vetters, but I know that they are structurally very different, and are quite a bit different aerodynamically too. I can look up the emails, but I have the emails from Craig Vetter himself and from the guy who designed the changes for Yamaha for their version. Now it might be that sometime later that Bell sold the vetter stuff to pacifico, but that would have been after the XS1100 years, there is a timeline on craig vetter's website there shows the history of the company, he doesn't outline the yamaha fairing because it was done entirely after he left, but he does at least cover the ownership of the company and such after he sold it.

[BA80]

Just did a quick Google of the silverbird and Ray popped right up.

[latexeses]

If you are looking for the lexan one good place to look would be a TAP Plastics ( www.tapplastics.com ) outlet. If you have a blank or a broken shield I am pretty sure they could cut and bend the Plexi or Lexan for you. They used to do some amazing stuff for some of the HPV contests for a local college.

[BobY47]

THX for responses

amazing set of useful responses, same day !! I will correspond with the windshield maker cited by Chuckster, follow up on other ideas - I had seen some of the other web references and image of the 78/79 design, lots of ideas. also had corresponded with Vetter, he was apparently not involved in the 78/79 "Pacifico for Yamaha" chapter but was later with the 80/81 redesign? my fairing has the square headlite, the vertical rectangular front sidelites, nine threaded screwholes to mount the windshield, the lower fairing sideplates. Also the Yamaha metal nameplate/serial number (does the serial number really mean anything? or give any useful historical or features info?) and small imprint saying fairing copyright 1977, plus the master electric connect port, and two storage compartments with locking covers. Inside of fairing features a rectangular cutout top center (for radio/stereo?), flanked by two impressions for cutting out for instruments? plus two 4" round impressions , presumably for installing speakers?? and a cig lighter. With exception of the missing windshield it is all in good condition, I just need to trace and tag the electrics. THX !! bob y47

[cywelchjr]

amazing set of useful responses, same day !! I will correspond with the windshield maker cited by Chuckster, follow up on other ideas - I had seen some of the other web references and image of the 78/79 design, lots of ideas. also had corresponded with Vetter, he was apparently not involved in the 78/79 "Pacifico for Yamaha" chapter but was later with the 80/81 redesign? my fairing has the square headlite, the vertical rectangular front sidelites, nine threaded screwholes to mount the windshield, the lower fairing sideplates. Also the Yamaha metal nameplate/serial number (does the serial number really mean anything? or give any useful historical or features info?) and small imprint saying fairing Copyright 1977, plus the master electric connect port, and two storage compartments with locking covers. Inside of fairing features a rectangular cutout top center (for radio/stereo?), flanked by two impressions for cutting out for instruments? plus two 4" round impressions , presumably for installing speakers?? and a cig lighter. With exception of the missing windshield it is all in good condition, I just need to trace and tag the electrics. THX !! bob y47

That's the pacifico version not the vetter version. The later vetter version is identical to a windjammer 4 except for the headlight and turn signals. One key external from the side way to tell is the pacifico's have a shelf overhanging the headlight like a hood, where the vetter version doesn't, the part that would be the shelf comes just almost to the top of the headlight but doesn't shade it at all, not even slightly.