Vetter

[SiP]

I like the look of the vetter fairings - the top half style, so:

1. Are they tough to fit to a bike that has never had one.
2. What should I expect to pay for a decent condition one.
3. What should I look for in the way of problems that would stop me buying it.
4. Anyone have one that is a. easy to fit; b. in great condiiton; c. cheap.

[mro]

4. Anyone have one that is a. easy to fit; b. in great condiiton; c. cheap.

Getting two outa three would be good


mro
If you get one with the proper brackets, it's easy to install.

[madmax-im]

Re: Vetter

Originally posted by SiP
I like the look of the vetter fairings - the top half style, so:

1. Are they tough to fit to a bike that has never had one.
2. What should I expect to pay for a decent condition one.
3. What should I look for in the way of problems that would stop me buying it.
4. Anyone have one that is a. easy to fit; b. in great condiiton; c. cheap.

Hey SiP...lets see..
My '82 XJ1100 never had a fairing on it 'til this past summer.Its not tough but you must have the correct bracket for the XS/XJ1100s'.Many of these fairings fit other bikes too but if you have the specific bracket then it can be interchanged.For example my Windjammer IV came off a Kawasaki KZ1000.I had to find the XS/XJ bracket and with alot of help from TC we fabricated the electrical connections necessary to get it to work.If I had found the correct wiring harness then we would have had an easier job than we had.
As for what to pay...I bought mine on ebay and it was abt $120.I had to replace some other parts and then a new windshield too.Also I looked for one that was in good condition.They do vary condition wise....these are as old as our bikes some even older...
Look for one thats in good condition ..that is complete has all the pocket covers...thats not been banged up..there are plenty of replacement parts out there...and try to find the wiring harness that would connect the headlamp of the bike to the connector on the fairing.
As to wether I have one...sorry I love mine but heres a pic ...you can have that

[mro]

Oops

Having the vetter wiring harnes helps too

[SiP]

Getting two outa three would be good

lol - that's the sign I used to have at work -

You can have it done:
1. Quickly
2. Cheaply
3. Correctly
Please pick any two of three.

I think I'll put this in the chat forum to.

[mro]

I love mine but heres a pic

So were pic'en on SiP now
Nice vetter there Ben (nice scenery too)




mro
BTW, I've got the bags/trunk too
Just not as much fun to run around town with em on tho.

[madmax-im]

Thanks Mike..its the Delaware River in the background..looking from the PA side...Your bike and scenery are equally good

[oseaghdha]

I can remove or install mine in about an hour.
I usually take it off and ride nekkid during the summer.

Look for a bracket on ebay.

vetter info

You can get wires, install kits, windshields, gaskets, etc

You can buy them all day for 50 -100.

[Jerry]

Vetter made more than 1 model of their fairings. You can find the history on-line at http://www.craigvetter.com/

Most common Vetters are the Windjammer 3, IV, and V. The IV was also known as the Vetter SS. The V model is easily identifiable by the 'bib' around the headlight. It also takes different lowers than the other models.

Vetter produced some model-specific fairings like the Kawasaki series. These take different lowers than the stock Vetter fairings, if you ever plan to add lowers. If not, no problems. Lowers are identified by a 'type' number; you need to get a type number that fits your fairing or plan to modify the lowers.

The fairings are the same, but the mounts (as noted in previous posts) are model unique. You need to get a mount for the XS. There are two bolt holes for the fairing mount under the tripple-T; the mount bolts to these two holes and the mount 'legs' fit around the down tubes with the aid of a SS hose clamps. You may have to relocate the horns.

Early model Vetter fairings required you to remove the healight bucket and ears. Later model units, like the IV on my XJ, will permit keeping the headlight bucket. You remove the stock headlight and mount it in the Vetter shell. The "pigtail" connects the Vetter fairing to the bike's wiring. There have been several threads about repairing / rebuilding the pigtail, the connecting pins on the Vetter side go bad over time and can be replaced. Look for a good pigtail if you can find one. Models that don't remove the bucket and ears are easier to install or remove if you want to bak to a naked configuration.

Early Vetter fairings, with exposed turn lights, use a differnent connector (6-pin?) as opposed to the later model 9-pin configuration. Later model units had some options, such as a sound system, portholes in the shield, and built-in horns. The sound system is fairly popular option and can sell for as much as the fairing.


Price....will vary considerably. These things are big and bulky, thus expensive to ship. I paid $75.00 for mine, another $25.00 for a mount, but all were local and had no shipping. (Boneyard pricing.) Condition was good, but it does have a wear mark on the edging where it was down at one point. Later model units are more expensive than early models. A quick check of prices indicates that $175 - $250 will get you a decent fairing and mount. Less than that you you have a good deal.

I like the Vetter, but it does hurt your fuel economy. In my case it was 2 - 3 mpg. You push a lot of air with the big Vetter. However, the added comfort extends your riding season in the fall and you can get riding sooner in the spring. I like having the Vetter, although some times I miss having a naked bike.

[madmax-im]

Nice write up

Hey Jerry...good details thereCraig Vetter is a genius!His fairings were the first of the frame mounted designs.It amazes me that this late 70's design works so well nearly 30 yrs later.I mean as far as aerodynamics are concerned...it seems to me like he had it right from the get go.Comparing it to my more modern Honda ST1100,with its integrated fairings and bodywork...the Windjammer works just as well!I dont have the lowers and currently am ISO a set

[DiverRay]

Jerry,

I agree that the Vetter fairing WILL cause you to loose top end. My Pacifico ('78 only) fairing will NOT cost me top end! The problem was they only made the design for the one year. The mount was a much better design IMHO.
All of the electrical connectors for the fairings CAN be had from Radio Shack, or your favorite electronics store. They used a common AMP connector.

Ray

[Jerry]

I had considered the Pacifico fairing to be superior to the Vetter in terms of air flow. I have a Pacifico mount around somewhere, I think, not looking hard for the fairing but would pick one up if I came across one

However, Pacifico fairings were made well into the late '90s or early 2000s by a small company who had also picked up a license to reproduce some Vetter parts. I have an old copy of their catalog somewhere. Their plant had a fire (2000, maybe?) that might have put a stop to them. Later I heard they had re-opened but have never confirmed this. This was the same company who had an adapter kit to put Vetters on a Pacifico mount. Seems to me I came across them while looking for replacment Vetter hard luggage doors, which would have been 2000 or so. Swanee & Co, out of Oregon rings a bell.

Anyway, those of you wiith Pacifico set-ups, be glad you have them. For the rest of us the Vetter will have to do.

[wa407mpp]

I trashed the fairing on my 78e Venteruer last June when I rolled the bike and have since replaced it with a Vetter, they both have their good points, The original was easier to mount a radio into and had more dash room, but it was like riding behind a barn door. The Vetter is lighter and is sportier but expensive to mount a radio, limited dash space and prone to vibration. As far as I know" Swanne" is still operating in Milton/Freewater Or. I recently discovered I have a cousin living in Collage Place, Wa. who rides a bike. If I can contact her I'll ask her to ride over a check for me, and let you know.

[webbcraft2150]

Fairings will chop you top end but my last top end run with the TeXSive holigans on a full faired G netted an indicated 123 before the pesky wobble kicked in. For a daily driver in cool to cold weather, you can't beat em, long distance ride at speed, can't beat em. Nekid belongs in the shower!!!!!!!

[mro]

123 before

With but 4 little 10mm headed bolts holding the Vetter to it's frame... I don't go there.

mro