Vetter Liberator

[CRXSi90]

I was browsing the Lost Rally thread and saw a picture of the Vetter Liberator fairing installed on an XS11.



Could someone point me to more pics of that bike? I remember seeing something back a few months ago that it was going to be installed. My initial though is that it was ugly as sin, but it has been growing on me since then.

I would also like to know how it functions compared to the other fairings out there. My understanding is that it was designed to excel at protecting the rider from the elements, and possibly is the largest fairing to date!

Thank you!

[madmax-im]

I just did a image search through google for Liberator by Craig Vetter and lots of images pop up...primarily this fairng is for Harley Davidsons...but i see some BMWs as well not sure these are used on any japanese bikes ...

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1093&bih=531&q=Liberator+by+Craig+Vetter&oq=Liberator+by+Craig+Vetter&gs_l=img.12...2180.9794.0.13647.25.11.0.14.14.0.109.1076.9j2.11.0....0...1ac.1.24.img..12.13.1088.AD0J0fuB-wc

[natemoen]

Here is Harry's thread for it.

http://hitechkc.dyndns.org:78/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=525

[DiverRay]

Look into the Pacifico that Yamaha put on the '78. I've been behind most of the fairing at one time or another, and I STILL BELIEVE the Pacifico works better than anything else out there for the XS1100. My big complaint about the Vetter design is it's like a barn door going down the road. My top end with a Vetter drops, and my fuel consumption goes up. The Pacifico only lost about 1 MPG and the top speed was close to the same. I used to cruise at 125MPH on I-5 in Can'taffordya back in '78/79, and I still had throttle left if needed.

[madmax-im]

Here is Harry's thread for it.

http://hitechkc.dyndns.org:78/phpbb3....php?f=7&t=525

Wow I never saw that...however I'm not liking the looks of it on an XS1100...I'm sure it works well but its fugly...

[CRXSi90]

Thank you. I guess I forgot I was browsing "over there." There's a little historical write-up of the Liberator fairing on Craig Vetter's website.

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/Vetter_Fairings/Liberator.html

The short story is that Craig was commissioned by Harley-Davidson/AMF to design a frame-mounted fairing for their FLH touring bike in the mid-70's.

We wanted this fairing to offer the most touring protection possible. After all, the FLH was the definitive cross - country cruiser of America, right?

It still lives on in spirit in the Road Glide, though a little better looking in it's latest incarnation.

Frame-Mounted Fairing

The iconic Shark-Nose fairing on the Road Glide® Custom is bolted to the motorcycle frame so it stays put and cuts down the wind with all its might in order to make your ride smooth and easy going. Reputed for extreme performance and a highly distinct style, this fairing is an original in motorcycling history, and stands firm as a defining element of the legendary Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® models.

hmm...original? anyway....

I do think the Pacifico fairing is sleek looking and believe you about it's superior overall function. I like this picture of the Pacifico.



Well, I guess I'll give my standard Vetter fairing a whirl when I get my bike on the road. I gave the carbs a 3rd cleaning today, so hopefully they're ready to go. I almost lost those little washers and gaskets under the idle mixture screws, despite the warnings in the tech tip. I got it figured out before I blew them into the grass, so it's all good!

[Bigfoot]

Yeah, that's my liberator. :-D.
It definitely gives max protection. Left crandon Wisconsin this morning and it was 39 degrees. I was very happy with it. Gets a little warm when the temp is up though. It should come in handy when I head out to the xs se rally. Lights up the road well especially if I turn on the running lights. Plenty of storage room. I installed 81 standard air forks to handle the extra weight up front.

It handles pretty good in the wind. Doesn't blow around as much as you would think it would. As far as mileage, it cut it a bit, more so the faster I go. Ran a stretch of 140 miles with Tod today. Averaged 90mph for the most part with a couple passes around 110. Had a bit of a headwind as well. I got 27.5 mph. Following Bob Falter for a tank on the way north we were running at 65 most of the way and I got 34, which is about as good as this bike usually did before the fairing. I will say, I love the 6.5 gallon tank.

[CRXSi90]

Cool, thanks for the review of the Liberator. I saw one for sale locally, but it's certainly in rough shape:

http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/3942987846.html

I was kind of tempted to get it, but I've got plenty of other stuff to sort out before I start worrying about fairings.

[jwhughes3]

Thats a Vindicator not a Liberator - fewer lights! Have not seen one on an XS - as you see the HD sticker on the fairing it was meant for the Harley -

Still would be a nice, unusual fairing to have.

John

[motoman]

I just did a image search through google for Liberator by Craig Vetter and lots of images pop up...primarily this fairng is for Harley Davidsons...but i see some BMWs as well not sure these are used on any japanese bikes ...
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...88.AD0J0fuB-wc

C'mon Ben, have some class and think outside the box. That fairing is 'icing on the cake' to finish out a dressed scoot!

[madmax-im]

C'mon Ben, have some class and think outside the box. That fairing is 'icing on the cake' to finish out a dressed scoot!

maybe so but as always Brant...YMMV

[Bigfoot]

Thats a Vindicator not a Liberator - fewer lights! Have not seen one on an XS - as you see the HD sticker on the fairing it was meant for the Harley -

Still would be a nice, unusual fairing to have.

John

Actually John, that is a Liberator. The seller just doesn't know what he has. That one is in pretty rough shape. Mine really wasn't in that much better shape when i started. Missing the fog lights and turn signals. You can still get those as they were used on many harley's but they aren't cheap. The side light cover that is missing can still be found on ebay occasionally. The windshield is a big one. I was lucky and found someone selling a few new old stock. Think i had to pay $120 for it shipped. One major thing that one is missing is the dash.
Here is mine when i got it


Here it is almost ready to clean up and install.



I was lucky and found one that was already mounted on an XS in a scrapyard. I was able to get the mounting brackets that someone had made with it.



Eventually I will put a hard trunk on it as well. Probably one of my winter projects.

[madmax-im]

This fairing does have a presence about it...like a big steam locomotive... Betcha fooled a couple of HD riders.

[Bigfoot]

Some people hate the look of it but i love it, and that is what really matters.

[MPittma100]

Liberator

Is the XS11's electrical system able to handle all of those lights without any modification? Just curious.

Definitely an unusual looking fairing. Has an interesting history for sure.

MP