WTF did you do to your bike?

[phatts27]

This seems like the appropriate place to post this. My bike pretty much is a big ol' wtf with its ass end lobbed off and a frame hoop installed.

I'm limited as far as seats go but I picked up a seat from a 78 because it was flat. After much trial and error, I finally got it mounted (no pics yet) and I'm happy with the way it looks. I don't have any bags and this is where things get iffy.

I just picked up a Pacifica fairing like this for cheap!

This thing is awesome! It has an air pump, train horns and a cb radio. I know it won't look any good on my bike but I'm happy to have it. Anyone have any pictures of fairings installed with no bags?

[BA80]

You're going to find it a little more difficult to mount the bags with the rear of the frame butchered like it is.

Man, I just get sick every time someone comes on here and say's they are going to hack on the frame to "modify" it. It usually turns out like this. They hack it and then when they realize they f*****d it up they just pass the abortion on to someone else or part it out.

No accounting for some people.

[BA80]

BTW, the Pacifico fairing is kind of big even for a Standard. Good place to start but keep looking for a Windjammer. The IV or V fits the Special pretty good

[phatts27]

Everything is difficult with the frame like this, not just saddlebags. Turn signals, tail light, and mounting the seat are a P.I.T.A. On top of that, there's no rear fender!

I respondednded to an add on craigslist in Deleware about Vetter fairings. When I got there, he had a bunch of windjammers (maybe 10), but no mounts. This Pacifica was $25 cheaper, looked good, had mounts and came with accessories! It seemed like a no brainer.

This thing is huge! You guys shoulda seen me stuff it into my Ford Fiesta.

[BA80]

The Pacifico takes the same mount but with the Windjammer you don't need the top part.

I know how big they are, I have one in the shed. They were only used one year, 1978, then Yamaha went with the Vetter fairing.

[phatts27]

If Yamaha only used the pacifico in 78, why does the fairing have a round headlight? I thought only specials got round lights and specials were not available in 78. Dealer issues?

[BA80]

This is the Pacifico fairing that was dealer installed in 78. If yours has a round headlight it's not the one I'm talking about.

[phatts27]

Well then, I don't know what the hell I bought maybe it's for an 850. It looks just like the one a few posts up except no lowers The pic I posted is of a Norwegian member's bike. I think his name is Terje I think.

[BA80]

Maybe they did make one with a round headlight. This is the only type I've ever seen.

Doesn't really matter in the end. Round, rectangular, who cares as long as it lights up.

[BA80]

The one in the pic above with the round headlight most definitely has a Pacifico windshield. Maybe there was another model for the Special because that's a Special in your pic. An 80 Special to be exact.

[MaximPhil]

This is the Pacifico fairing that was dealer installed in 78. If yours has a round headlight it's not the one I'm talking about.

Hi Greg,
The red one shown is what i know as a Pacifico with rectangle headlight AND rectangular indicators
Phatts fairing has round headlight AND round indicators.
Phil

[jetmechmarty]

Some of the '79 bikes have Pacifico fairings on them. They must have been available for Specials. I believe Bohn has one on his SG. I remember reading or hearing about a fire in the plant where they made Pacifico fairings.

[fredintoon]

Everything is difficult with the frame like this, not just saddlebags. Turn signals, tail light, and mounting the seat are a P.I.T.A. On top of that, there's no rear fender! - - -

Hi phatts,
the thing about that pointy frame loop is you can saw the bastard off and weld on something more suitable.
Then e-visit Andreas Weiss in the parts for sale column and see what he's got in the parts pile.
If it were my blank slate I'd bypass the stock XS11 seat hold-downs (OK, they work but you gotta carry a 14mm deep socket & ratchet handle in your pocket to get the seat off, fer Chrissake!)
and look at using the eminently sensible post '79 XS650 seat latches instead.

[phatts27]

Fred,

Eastcoaster recommended I do the same thing. He gave me a bike an said I should cut off his ass end and weld it to mine. I've never welded and I'm not looking forward to cutting off the tails of 2 bikes! If I did go this route, would it be as simple as measuring, cutting and welding or would I need to insert a smaller bar into the hole weld that in place first (like a bridge)?

If ever there was an obstacle that could stop me dead in my tracks, it's welding

Ed

[fredintoon]

Fred,
Eastcoaster recommended I do the same thing. He gave me a bike an said I should cut off his ass end and weld it to mine. I've never welded and I'm not looking forward to cutting off the tails of 2 bikes! If I did go this route, would it be as simple as measuring, cutting and welding or would I need to insert a smaller bar into the hole weld that in place first (like a bridge)?
If ever there was an obstacle that could stop me dead in my tracks, it's welding Ed

Hi Ed,
typically one shoves a sleeve in there rather than a solid bar. A sleeve of the same gauge as the frame tube is ideal as a heavier wall or a solid bar would suck too much heat from the weld zone.
But surely you can find a "Bro with MIG" to glue the new end on for you?