Fairing to Windscreen Insulation Tape

[kboehringer]

XS11 Friends,

Recently, I was tasked with quickly finding a local replacement for the insulation tape used between the fairing and the windscreen on a Venturer fairing (I'm sure others are similar). The nasty painted, damaged OEM stuff had to be removed for repainting.



I thought the "Frost King" brand of window door type tape might do the trick? Unfortunately, their offerings are either much too thick, or too narrow. Anyone that has ever used that foam sealing stuff knows it only sticks for about 2 minutes before it falls off.....

At home depot I found this: AP/Armaflex tape. This is the PERFECT thickness, sticky as one could ever ask for and ONLY 10$ for a large roll.



The stuff has reinforced threading making it MUCH stronger than the Frost King stuff and it is very flexible working great curving with the contours of the fairings.



Worked great on the Venturer fairing. I had to trim it a little narrower with scissors for my OEM Yamaha Accessory Fairing but it worked equally as well....



I have no idea what VETTER or Yamaha would want for the OEM replacement stuff but it certainly won't be $10!

KURT

[madmax-im]

Thanks Kurt somehow i lost those pics as i wanted to share that info...

[ViperRon]

On mine I used the weatherproof foam rubber you get for automotive. Its only 1/2 inch wide so took a couple of runs. It was easy to run stuck well and trimmed easily. On the windshield I painted a strip around where the shield attached to the foam making nice clean lines clear black color. At the top edges I used a good thick bead of black silicone and did the final tightening after it dried. For the bolts threw the shield I got new nylon screws about the right length and nuts from Lowes. Painted them black and have had no issues with them. http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...1/PIC_0803.jpg This picture shows before the painting and after it was even more clean and the black painted strip is like what is on todays cars.

[motoman]

On mine I used the weatherproof foam rubber you get for automotive. Its only 1/2 inch wide so took a couple of runs. It was easy to run stuck well and trimmed easily. On the windshield I painted a strip around where the shield attached to the foam making nice clean lines clear black color. At the top edges I used a good thick bead of black silicone and did the final tightening after it dried. For the bolts threw the shield I got new nylon screws about the right length and nuts from Lowes. Painted them black and have had no issues with them. http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...1/PIC_0803.jpg This picture shows before the painting and after it was even more clean and the black painted strip is like what is on todays cars.

Well, having used the pre-formed foam from Craig Vetter's web-site, it is inexpensive and a perfect fit.

[ViperRon]

I agree Moto the foam off the Vetter site is the best solution not that expensive but some are going to use what is local at hand and there are various reasons why. Part of why I used the nylon screws is mini cracks starting in the holes of the fairing and shield and just cleaning them up with a drill bit left a little more room.

[madmax-im]

The reason we went this route was based on.the assumption that Vetters stuff would be expensive...but we never did check...however it is good to share this information and have this discussion.....so there are alternatives...

[3Phase]

I started to get that cracking around the bolt holes in the windshield. I was starting to worry and wondering what to do to stop it or if I should get another windshield when it occurred to me that I just needed to lighten up a little.

There are five nylon 'bolts' with washers and two stainless holding that bad boy down on the Vetters, the windshield is not going anywhere. Just lightly tension the windshield, don't reef don't on it and it won't crack around the bolts.

[kboehringer]

Well, having used the pre-formed foam from Craig Vetter's web-site, it is inexpensive and a perfect fit.

Vetter Web-Site Information:
http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/onl...ls.html#anchor

Original Windjammer Windshield Foam Tape:
Appropriate for:
All Windjammer Fairings
All Vindicator Fairings
All Kawasaki - made-by - Vetter Fairings
US / Canada $36.00
(shipping cost included)


Restoration Parts on this page for your Vetter Fairings
New Snap Vents
Plastic Windshield Bolt Kits
Replacement Windshield Clips
Windshield Foam Tape
Windshields
Electrical Plug Kits
Tail Trunk Mounting Bunkees
Lowers Mounting Kits
Replacement Edging Kits
Hotcha Repair Kits
Windjammer Decal Kits
Saddlebag Clip Kits
Chrome Logo/Vetter Nameplates
Vetter Gifts and Collectibles

[Chuckster]

I found out that not leaving at least one gap in the foam left no place for water to drain. Now, when it rains hard, I end up with a pool of water inside the windshield. Have to take it off and redo. YMMV.