Faring to Naked Conversion

[TomKat]

I am going to change my '79 XS11 Special from having a full time faring. I want to do away with the Vetter Windjammer and go with the wind in my receding hair. I have never done anything like this and am looking for help in putting together a parts list so I can begin aquiring everything I will need to make the switch. I intend to sell the faring to recoup some of the cost. I am sure someone on the board has made this change, I would greatly appreciate your expertice.

Thanks!!

[Pat Kelly]

Headlight bucket assembly, headlight ears, and turnsignals.

[50gary]

I'm doing just that conversion. (1978E) I sold the touring gear and picked up a standard square headlight (not my first choice but it was free). I will change the headlight this winter I already have the new parts but I don't want to tear it down again. I used some of my brother's "new" 2003 SV1000 turn signals as he went to some mini signals. The SV signals look so much better and I have LED lamps in them. Once your fairing is off I'll bet you'll change the handle bars too? The upright seating position of the touring setup is not comfortable at speed without the fairing for wind protection. Generally most naked bikes work better with a little forward lean to counteract the wind at highway speeds. I'm not talking Sportbike style just a little forward lean, "superbike" bars (Mike's XS) work well for me. Headers are a must for me 4/1 for a bit more sporting feel. I also removed the Yamaha tank, tail, and side logos and repainted the tank, tail, and side covers. Removed the OEM mirrors and will fit some bar end mirrors soon. I'm going shopping this weekend at the "Vintage days" meet in Mid-Ohio. More later.
Cheers, 50gary

[79XS11F]

In my own experience you will regret this unless you put on some sort of smaller faring to at least direct the bulk of the wind around you. Man at highway speed I JUST HATE the wind. It removes too much of the pleasure of riding when your always fighting the wind in the upright seating position.
Rob

[GNEPIG]

In my own experience you will regret this unless you put on some sort of smaller faring to at least direct the bulk of the wind around you. Man at highway speed I JUST HATE the wind. It removes too much of the pleasure of riding when your always fighting the wind in the upright seating position.

.. i dont care for the excess weight and wind resistance of the big fairings, i find that a full face helmet and the lower handle bars works pretty good for me. but if you have ta sit upright and wear a small helmet, then you could stick on a window of some sort. Memphis Shades sells some groovey lookin universals, also Maire sells some nice ones.

[GNEPIG]

http://www.maier-mfg.com/shop.cfm?Pr...id=&modelyear=
.. i spelled it wrong, it's Maier. try this one, it looks good.

[mtmopar]

I did the conversion last year, and then put on a memphis shades hellcat windscreen. Works great and I love the look. The other nice thing is for around town driving you can take the screen off in less than a minute.

[mro]

Man at highway speed I JUST HATE the wind

Never had a problem riding w/o a wind shield, just never had one......., till earlier this year when Simplyd1 dropped off one at my shop. At first, thought, wtf gona do with that. Bry, guy who works for me made some smart a$$ remark about it few days later so we put it on my 80G. (could always take it back off)

Well it ain't coming off


mro

[mason79]

excess weight and wind resistance of the big fairings

i thought the fairing had less wind resistance than the naked rider?

[TomKat]

Great feedback so far, I thank you all. When I pull the faring off, am I going to have somewhere to hang the new blinkers, or am I going to need to create something? Also, I have always ridden without a faring, so I don't think the wind is something I will regret. I have given thought to an after market shield tho, easier to remove and go without should the mood hit.

[webbcraft2150]

Previous answers gives you a pretty complete list of what you will need. When I was piloting a KZ1100 Spectre years ago, I would pull the fairing stuff off in the summer and reinstall during the winter or for long road trips. Remember, you have to cram all those wires into your head light bucket. On the Kawi, I was able to leave the headlight bucket in place and swap the headlight from the Vetter as needed. Vetter fairings and XS11 mounts are getting harder and harder to find. Ya might wanna just hang that setup from the rafters for a while till your sure you want to get rid of it.

[DeanR]

TomKat, I have a brand new Memphis Shades Hellcat shield if you're interested. Just never used it but it looks great on an XS.

[John]

I am running a Nat'nl Cycle Plexi Fairing with the built in lowers, and it covers your hands when holding the grips. It is actually a windshield, not a fairing. I love it. It installs easily, and is removed in just minutes. I got it at JC Whitney for around $165.
Check it out:
Just click on the pic for a larger image.

[50gary]

Mounting turnsignals is easy. the OEM square headlight "ears" Already have holes in them.
For the rear I welded on some 3/16" X 1,3/4" diameter. plates with my holes for mounting and wiring. On the frame rail there are some round mounting holes that may be for the original mounts for the stock signals, this is where I put my round plates.
I really like the more modern signal, they give the naked bike a more trimed down appearance. Next may be that huge taillight?
Cheers, 50gary

[eleven]

Hi, l have a 78 XS11 and its missing the turn signal brackets on all 4. l have all 4 stock turn signals, but cant mount them on the bike. Would you know where l can find the brackets? Or, what do you recommend that l can make to work so they hold the turn signals.
Thanks,
Ed