Worth it, or not?

[fbcaf]

I don't really know where this question belongs, so I'll try here. I have an 80G with a factory fairing (I think) on it. It has an adjustable back rest and luggage rack on the back. No saddle bags. I am considering converting it to a cruiser by replacing the fairing with a windscreen, and putting saddle bags on it. I am sure that many have done this conversion, and many have gone the other way and added a fairing. I would like some feedback concerning pros and cons of each configuration.

As I have mentioned before in other threads, I am about 6'5" and weigh about 340. My wife likes to ride with me, and that puts the weight up over %!@ pounds. Add the weight of the fairing, and you have some serious pounds on the front end. I also like the looks of the fairing-less front end, with a National Windshield on it. I believe there would be less wind resistance with that set up as well. Is such a conversion worth the effort? Anybody with any info would be appreciated.

[sermn8ter]

Don't know

I am not sure about the answer to your question, but it would seem to make sense that a windsheild alone would be much lighter than the fairing, etc. If you do decide to go that way, let me know, I might be interested in the fairing, luggage rack, etc. I have been contemplating trying to find all of that or just going the windshield route. If I go the windshield route, I will only have a couple of things left to get mine where I want it. I just had it painted and the engine gone through, man it screams now. I want the WS, a new seat, king/queen type for me and the missus, 4 into 2 MAC turnout exhaust, and some saddle bags. I'm gonna call her spirit, cause like the wind, she goes whither soever she wills.

[webbcraft2150]

I have an 80g with all the factory touring gear. The OEM fairing will have the signature square headlight and turn signals. I was also lucky to PO had the lowers. Stayed toasty warm on some 11 degree mornings in Albuquerque. Now that I live in Austin, I think the full fairing might be a little much (there idea of cold is 60). I do appreciate the protection it affords and rarely run the lowers here. I am going to cut another windshield and make this one a little shorter for more exposure to the breeze. You will need a stock headlight shell assembly as well as the mounts for the front turn signals. Not a hard swap and I am sure someone here will scoop up the factory fairing.

[Pat Kelly]

Your question highlights one of the most appealing factors of this bike.
My E changes profile as I feel. I usually have the full Pacifico fairing and lowers on in the winter (I ride all year 'round). In the summer I remove the fairing (bags and trunk). I found that the wind-blast was fatiguing so I use a National Cycle "deflector". This keeps the wind off my chest. In the past I would swap from a large to smaller trunk.
The beauty is that we CAN change the bike's profile. New bikes you're stuck with what you got. Try buzzing around on a new 1800 Goldwing with the fairing removed, I don't think so. Add saddlebags to a V-Max.
My E has both the stock and touring seats, 2 different trunks, full fairing w/lowers and a small windshield, standard and 6.5 gallon gastanks. I like having the choice.
One thing I've done to make my choice easier is adopting my LG. Now the E is my "winter and travel" bike and the LG is my "summer sprinter". Interestingly is the E is still the faster and quicker of the two. Had a local stop-by when I was out front one day and he asked "if I wanted to run the bikes". I said "sure, which one?" and he got a strange look that I'd even suggest the touring bike. He decided he didn't want to race but we may ride together someday.
Older bikes lend themselves to change. New bikes, you can swap for anodized or carbon fiber this or that, but you still see yourself riding down the other side of the street.

[fbcaf]

Sermn8ter,
If I decide to get rid of the fairing, I'll let you know. Right now I'm in the contemplation stage, as you are. I have ridden a cruiser ith the windshield, and it doesn't seem to be more windy than the full fairing.

Webbcraft2150,
I believe this is the factory job with square headlight and signals, and Yamaha in little letters on the side. I also have the lowers that came on it.

Pat,
If I still lived in California - where I was born and raised - I would definitely set this bike up as you have done for year round riding. Here in Wisconsin, I have been known to be taking the grandkids for Christmas rides, and doing ice runs in January, but that's more for shock effect than reality. Let's face it, most of us just don't ride much with snow and ice all over. I can handle the cold, but ice and snow are just too unpredictable, and Wisconsin weather can change in the time it takes to get from here to there, and then you're stuck somewhere. I will admit that it is thrilling to ride out a snow storm, but I don't want to do it again.
I am considering the conversion from one to the other, but I don't know if it is feasable for just a few short weeks of cold weather riding.

Thanks, guys, for the input.

[sermn8ter]

Thanks

Thanks, let me know what you decide. I live in Georgia, and we have some cold weather, and occasionally snow, but I don't want to be changing mine around a whole lot. The most I want to do is maybe take bags on and off. If I have a fairing/windshield, it will stay on year round. Same with other things, again with the exception of bags, which only need to be there for travel.