Smaller Fairing Possible?

David Allaband · September 04, 2011, 04:44:06 PM

I don't like having a fairing, but I'm not totally against faired bikes. Is there a smaller fairing that's a bolt on alternative to the stock FJ fairing? Something less... large? Something I don't have to do a lot of modifications to use?

Thanks!

E Double · September 04, 2011, 05:31:33 PM

What is it about the fairing that bothers you? Does it cut off too much airflow? I think as far as fairings go (at least on the earlier bikes) the FJ's have a half fairing or "bikini"-not too much less fairing to be had before you're on a naked.

I run a "drag" fairing on my '84, its about 2 or 3 inches lower than stock. It puts the air about mid chest, leaving my helmet in nice clean air.

I guess you could turn it into a streetfighter style and just yank the fairing completely off; Put some round headlights and you'll have something interesting.

Travis398 · September 04, 2011, 05:49:34 PM

What year FJ are we talking about?

David Allaband · September 04, 2011, 06:12:02 PM

Sorry, keep forgetting to include the year. It's a 1993 FJ 1200.

I don't like fairings because I don't like stuff in front of me. I don't aspire to a motorcycle, I settle for a motorcycle because I can't fly or run 120mph. Well, maybe that's not entirely true, I like fixing my machine and riding my machine, but I still prefer nothing obstructing my view. Even a helmet is an obstruction, I don't wear full face helmets. I don't just see what's in a straight line before my eyes, I experience through my peripheral vision. I want that vision open.

I started another thread a few days ago about removing the fairing all together. Unfortunately there's a frame stay member welded to the frame that makes it hard to mount a normal headlight. I haven't given up the idea altogether, I just thought I would see if there's a small fairing that fits this bike. Seems like people swap out a lot of parts from other bikes to this one.

I've owned around 20 bikes in my life and only ever had one other with a fairing. That was ten years ago. The fairing lasted one week before I yanked it off. That was a 1981 BMW RT100. The FJ fairing is not so bad, but I still don't like fairings. And I don't like thick gloves, and I don't like leather riding pants. I like simple stuff, I like wind and rain and nudity. I like being out in the air with my bike below me instead of in front of me.

I guess it's just opinion.

What's a "Drag Fairing" and where can I see one?

Thanks for the info!

Travis398 · September 04, 2011, 06:15:04 PM

Quote from: David Allaband on September 04, 2011, 06:12:02 PM
Sorry, keep forgetting to include the year. It's a 1993 FJ 1200.

There you go, you own the wrong FJ.

you need an 1100

David Allaband · September 04, 2011, 06:18:24 PM

Darn it! So the 1100 doesn't have that fairing stay?

Why is that fairing stay there in the first place? People keep telling me I can't just cut it off, and it scares me to cut it off, but why is it so important if the 1100 doesn't even have it?

Arnie · September 04, 2011, 07:46:18 PM

Dave,

What you're calling the "fairing stay" is an integral part of the frame of the FJ. All years of FJ have this 'wrap around' frame element that suspends and supports the steering head. The FJ was designed to wear a fairing from the beginning.
This cannot be removed, but the black tubular frame that supports the fairing can be pulled.
While it would be difficult to mount a headlight from fork ears, there's no reason you couldn't mount 1 or 2 lamp enclosures from the forward frame loop.

Cheers,
Arnie

Quote from: David Allaband on September 04, 2011, 06:18:24 PM
Darn it! So the 1100 doesn't have that fairing stay?

Why is that fairing stay there in the first place? People keep telling me I can't just cut it off, and it scares me to cut it off, but why is it so important if the 1100 doesn't even have it?

SlowOldGuy · September 04, 2011, 09:33:32 PM

Sounds like you bought the wrong bike. How about a nice Speed Triple?

When you ask questions like: "Does anyone make (blank) for the FJ?"
Remember that these bikes have been out of production in the US since 1993. That's 18 years!

Not going to be a large aftermarket support for such an old bike.

DavidR.

E Double · September 05, 2011, 03:33:16 PM

Quote from: E Double on September 04, 2011, 05:31:33 PM
What is it about the fairing that bothers you? Does it cut off too much airflow? I think as far as fairings go (at least on the earlier bikes) the FJ's have a half fairing or "bikini"-not too much less fairing to be had before you're on a naked.

I run a "drag" fairing on my '84, its about 2 or 3 inches lower than stock. It puts the air about mid chest, leaving my helmet in nice clean air.

I guess you could turn it into a streetfighter style and just yank the fairing completely off; Put some round headlights and you'll have something interesting.

Oops! I meant drag SCREEN. DOH!

Pat Conlon · September 07, 2011, 12:25:05 AM

Quote from: E Double on September 05, 2011, 03:33:16 PM
Quote from: E Double on September 04, 2011, 05:31:33 PM
What is it about the fairing that bothers you? Does it cut off too much airflow? I think as far as fairings go (at least on the earlier bikes) the FJ's have a half fairing or "bikini"-not too much less fairing to be had before you're on a naked.

I run a "drag" fairing on my '84, its about 2 or 3 inches lower than stock. It puts the air about mid chest, leaving my helmet in nice clean air.

I guess you could turn it into a streetfighter style and just yank the fairing completely off; Put some round headlights and you'll have something interesting.

Oops! I meant drag SCREEN. DOH!

Wait a durn minute..... Did we not just have a conversation about the virtues of keeping your FJ oem stock?
Something about the horrors of turning your bastardized FJ into a.....hmmmmm, what was that word?

News:

Smaller Fairing Possible?

SlowOldGuy