fairing

[laidbackjj]

im on the second purchase of a fairing, i find it cracking at the mounting brace, what info does anyone have on this, im going to try to sandwich the fairing in between 2 flat plates this time with rubber gasket material for a little shock action

[Pat Kelly]

My Pacifico fairing was broken pretty badly when I bought it. It was cracked in a few places and the eniter mounting lip on the right side was broken off along with the bottom of the fairing on that same side.
When I had it repaired he made new pieces to replace what was missing. Did a great job.
Now I find it cracking along the left side along the bottom corner. I have plates that I ran under the bottom also, didn't seem to help. I also made a bracket that went from the bracket to the fairing under the headlight.
The design on the Pacifico fairing mounting (fairing to mounts) seems to leave much to be desired. The fairing is supported at the rear of the fairing leaving all the weight hanging off the front. The person that repaired mine suggested some aluminum brackets to augment the original mounts, running along the entire lip of the fairing. They would be gussetted where they angle.
Since mine is cracked again (and he doesn't want to do anymore jobs) it looks like I'm going to buy a plastic welder and learn how to weld.
If anyone's interested I'll take pics of my progress (hopefully I won't ruin it)

[laidbackjj]

fairing reply

thanks pat, seems this problem is out there as well, i guess we could slow down and tippy toe over bumps, what am i thinking, not, will continue to see what i can come up with to prevent this, a fairing a year isnt a good record, again thanks and safe riding

[Wayne]

My touring '81 XSH has the same problem.
The left front bracket bolt has eaten thru. I had to put a large fender washer on it to keep it attached. Still I can see its getting worse. I have often thought of doing what your thinking, putting a metal bracket across the two bolts on each side. Never thought about the rubber though, thats a good idea. The factory fairing is definitely not very "integrated" and does shake rattle and roll too much. But I couldn't live without it, as I do alot of long distance riding.
I suppose after 21+ years we just havta keep patching the bikes with silicone and duct tape.

[webbcraft2150]

My 80g with factory fairing has small cracks under the windshield and allong the side where the "hard" pocket is. I fixed both with fiberglass repair kit and repainted. No new cracks as of yet. Have had no cracking at the mounts. My Kawasaki w/vetter cracked in the exact same places. With the roads here, I consider myself lucky.

[laidbackjj]

fairing cracks

wayne and webbcraft

as i said this is the second purchased fairing, the one on the bike after about a year of riding it i noticed it was going up and down in the wind as i rode, when i peered down as i was riding behold not much holding it on, so needed to find one quick. found one not cheap either and made sure no cracks, had to transfer alot for the price i paid as in my lights and all, new windshield and then this last year, towards the end, the replacement had cracked. well jus got the next repacement and pretty cool one to, molded in radio holder, 2 locking covers one on each side, individual round signal lights on the front, not molded in, side marker lights, and decent windshield, complete with stereo sys, not a name brand like my kenwood on the other, and will be replaced of course, but what i paid for this one makes me sick for what i paid for the other. this different style i need to soon make sure it fits on the bike before i get too happy, but will be good to get rid of the pain in the butt radio holder of the other on, its bout cracked its last crack, dont hold the newer stereos too well.

this fairing had two flat bars and rubber stips that went on top of the mounting flange for the fairing and i think it has the actual brackets and they too have a wide flat flang to sit on, my other mount is of the 1/2" round tube if i remeber right, and the bolts went through the tube. as i said i will add a pice for the fairing to sit on with the top flats on top of flange and will get a piece of cloth impregnated rubber gasket to reduce the rubber spreading out as you tighten it and sanwich the fairing inbetween all. have a thought of making a metal mount to totaly enclose the mounting and throat of the fairing, but most likely that will be my next venture if this on cracks. but keeping my fingers cross, hate building everythng new, sheesh did they do this when they were new, would hate to see the warranties covered on these back then

thanks for the replies and safe riding

[MartyA]

My Vetter is mounted with 3 rubber washers about 1" diameter sandwiched between 1/16 washers, about 1" diameter. From the bottom, on the mounting bolt, I have nut, steel washer, rubber washer, fairing mount, rubber washer, steel washer, rubber washer, fairing, steel washer, top of bolt. The rubber washers are about 3/16" thick. All of the holes in all of the washers are the same size as the bolt. I squeeze the rubber just a little when I tighten the nut.

I have had this fairing on for several years, no cracks. And the roads in PA are on the list.

I did notice that the fairing shakes, it is certainly different than just a headlight. You notice it mostly at night. But you get used to it. I don't think you can mount one of these without some type of cushion.