Fairing lowers and heat on an XS?

[Upright]

I'm thinking about adding lowers to my Windjammer SS. Has anyone ever had any summertime over-heating issues because of lowers? Or will plenty air still get through?

[dwales]

Plenty of air will get through, but it makes it dificult to impossible to use your highway pegs, if you have them mounted on your crash bars.

[Pat Kelly]

I've had lowers on my bike all summer (I usually take the fairing and baggage off for summertime fun) and the bike hasn't over-heated.
You will notice though that all the heat goes right to your legs. Gets a bit toasty in summer but a very good thing in winter (I ride all year 'round).
I've seen some Vetter lowers that have a panel that goes back past the carbs (inside of your legs), would help with summer heat. If I feel the need I just remove the lowers.

[dntemp_ca]

I had my lowers on all summer this year. I usually take them off in summer cause I like to show off that beautiful big engine. Lots of air still gets through at cruising speeds. (In fact I'd like to reduce the air coming up around the steering head through the fairing.) True, the hiway pegs mounted on the engine guards are a bit of a nuisance with lowers on. My pegs stick out enuf so I can still use them. Here's a "do-at-your-own-risk" Tip: Cold hands when riding late (or early) in the season? I warm mine up fast by dropping a hand (one at a time, of course!) down behind my knee/calf area. With the lowers on, there's loads of warm air rushing by there. I have a throttle lock on the bike to free up right hand for warming. I haven't tried this with the lowers off, but there should be some good heat there regardless. Also for foot warming on a chilly ride, I pull my feet back a bit and rest the balls of my feet on the footpegs for periods of time. This small adjustment, with the lowers on, gets feet out of the wind and beside warm engine air.
Ride smilin'

[rover]

I ran with my lowers on most of this summer, never overheated the engine. My lowers have the part that goes back past the carbs. Heat does come up, but not so much that it would be uncomfortable. I took my hiway pegs off, cause I could not reach them, and I didn't really like them anyhow. Later I got some floorboards, and I really like them. I used to get cramps in my calves on long trips, but with the boards, never. I will never be without the boards again, just love them. It is sort of different at stop signs, but after a while, I got used to it. I also have a heel-toe shifter, and the stock brake pedal. Now I need to find lowers for the SF, and make another set of floorboards.

[Jerry]

I run lowers on my Windjammer IV. Very nice to have in cool weather.

Lowers mount with "well nuts", 3/8 inch, available at Tru-Valu and other hardware stores. I use SS bolts on mine to avoid rust. Cost was less than half eBay and other sources.

Well nuts are rubber plugs with a threaded metal insert. Tightening the bolts expands the rubber. 4 required per side, I think.

Not all lowers are interchangeable. Go to Craig Vetter's web page and scroll down to the Lowers section, and find which type(s) fit your SS. URL is:

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/Vetter_Fairings/interchangeability_of_part.html

Basically you want any version type 1 though 10, but not higher.

I paid about $70.00 for mine from ebay, that was a couple years ago. Good luck.

[Upright]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Much appreciated!

[tfm3]

Only thing that overheated this summer because of my lowers were my legs- wearing shorts at the time. Only did that once -ouch!. Looking forward to winter riding- my first bike ever with full dress. Does make existing hiway pegs less than comfortable, but I can probably do something about that.

[dntemp_ca]

Hey, Rover
Are your floorboards made for the XS11 or did you adapt some others?

[rover]

They are after market items made for the XS and XJ, back when they were late model bikes. I have no idea where to find anymore. I have them on a 79F, and plan to make a set for my FS this winter. If you want pics of them, PM me with your email addy.

[lonestarskibum]

I ran my 81 Midnight with the lowers on one summer and had no problems at all. In fact, I even rode down Main Street at the Sturgis Rally with 'em on, and not a hint of overheating, though the clutch did get a bit testy the second time I tried it in the same night.
Have to admit that I found I preferred the lowers on during the winter months for protection and a bit of heat off the engine, but was more comfortable without them in the summer.
Bob
81 XS1100LH (Boomerang?)