"S" Fairing ???'s

[awshucks]

Considering an aftermarket fairing from here:
http://www.boxercafe.com/BMWSfairings.htm They can be had w/ separate dash, w/o dash, or dash molded in one piece w/ fairing, and come w/ mounting brackets glassed in the fairing. All appealing to me.

I'm not too big on having the gauges, been informed the windshields don't fit quite right w/o dash. i was strongly considering no dash. I also don't care for the looks of the bare dash w/ flats molded for gauges and none there.

Since I'd have to get someone to wire the elecs up for me, I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a battery clock and maybe a compass I could stick in the holes I've been told need 2" for OEM stuff.

Any links or other 'cheaters'? :brow

[mmmalmberg]

If the windscreen isn't pre-drilled, you should be able to use it without the dash but you'd need to trim the back edge, which will be a bit too long without the dash to take up that length. Or you might be able to find something to cut into a spacer to take up the space the dash would have taken between the fairing and windscreen.

I personally love having a clock and voltmeter. A friend has left and right head temp gauges in there and loves those, to each his own...

[mmmalmberg]

p.s. if you get one of those fairings, please post a little review of it - I'm looking for same. I'm curious how sturdy the mounts are relative to the somewhat more beefy mounts on the (heavier) stock S fairing.

[tpbyrum]

You SHOULD use the dash. It is part of the structural integrity of the assembly and helps stiffen the thing. The fairing assembly needs to be steady in the wind at speed and in cross winds. Maybe not be with out it. Think of the forces at speed and with stiff side winds or when passing trucks. You need the complex shape of the dash to provide stiffness.

As for the empty holes just cut some plugs out of black plastic material and glue that in with black adhesive (ex: Permatex trim strip adhesive). I used some ABS plastic off a broken K bike side bag. Works great. I bought a cheap watch, ground off the strap attachment points, painted it and stuck it on with sticky back velcro. The R75/6 looks just dandy.

[awshucks]

Thanks! I know I need the dash, just got off the phone w/ well known dealer, $199 for just mounting hdwe, clock $191, whoa!

The fairing comes w/ no holes in dash, just the flats molded in place on the dash whether separate or one piece, so I have some leeway there.

Found a link to VDO stuff, sent an email to see what they have for clock and voltmeter that will match and fit dash:
http://www.bobsgauges.com/servlet/the-template/subThanks/Page

I've traded several emails w/ fairing maker, he's local in Ar and does primarily airplane parts but is a BMW lover and I'm going to use his stuff. I'm guessing here, but am willing to bet what ever mounting brkt is glassed in is a class job.

I'm by passing the OEM stuff as I'm converting a R100T to an 'S' anyhow, and realize it will not be a true 'S' of which I was dumb enough to sell 3 of, lol.

Thanks for the help, will blow by blow this battle as I take the hits, lol.

[shire2000]

For VDO gauges you might try EGauges online. They have some very good pricing.
V=http://www.egauges.com/vdo_grou.asp?Series=Vision

Vision Series, which is very similar to the stock gauges gor for pretty reasonable prices:
Volt Meter $26.44
Clock $95.32

[GREGT1]

I have one of these on my 77 and would recommend buying the clock and voltmeter. I also believe the recommendations to incorporate the dash for structual purposes is warranted. I know the clock is expensive, but that's why the hole is there. I keep my bike in its original stock condition for the most part and am not really big on modifications. You may also look at some of it as an investment in resale value:thumb.

[krehmkej]

And a voltmeter really helps you keep track with the state of that quirky charging system. The clock is nice on long rides. After having it, I wouldn't want a machine without one.

[awshucks]

Decided to get this show on the road. Ordered a 'stock' windshield, mounting screws and black edge trim here: Link (http://www.bikescreen.com/index.html)

Called the owner of boxer.com, Craig, and ordered the fairing w/ dash molded in, one piece. He informed me most wind shields come undrilled, so called them up and found out the 'stock' is pre drilled, but the other choices are not. Since I now know the size of nylon bolts, I wanted the proper drill bit. "Leif" at windshield place offered to include the bit w/ order and trust me to send a check for diff, $7,95, it's ready to mail, kudo's to them/him. He told me they have been making these since '78. I'm getting the 'light smoke'.

Got VDO clock and volt meter coming from Bob's Speedo (http://www.bobsgauges.com/servlet/the-Volt-Gauges/Categories) Black bezels and faces, white numbers, red needles, lighted, about $78.

Now I'm down to mounting hardware. $199 OEM. Kinda confused on that, as I've read there's a split grommet w/ clip for one side, and a solid one piece for the other, but one has to 'tweak' the fairing to get it over 2nd turn signal arm. In light of that, I can't see the need for two piece grommet for 2nd side, but have never needed to remove the fairing from previous 3 'S' models I owned. Found the 07 'S' fairing thread, btw.

I've got a couple of bud's that work at the local airport, can probably get everything but grommets fabbed there, my Ebay searches and ad here on things wanted hasn't been productive.

I'd been looking for a complete used OEM 'S' fairing, but time's up, lol. If any of you are sitting on the grommets and hdwe, now's the time to cut a fat porker in the hinney!

Think my next step will be to order two solid grommets and rough fit this thing when I get it and go from there, barring any tips I pick up from this post.

I'm not a 'lucky type.' The fairing maker was 4 miles from my house this w/e at a rally for the 'chain gang' at State park on top of the mountain, could have save some $ if I'd ordered this stuff last week on shipping, ect.

Thanks all.

[awshucks]

Found mounting hardware here. Everything from forks to fairing, and all the OEM stuff that goes on turn signal arms. Also, a bottom windshield gasket, about $55 total. Link (http://www.capitalcycle.com/catalog/catalog_html/fairings.html)

[Rapid_Roy]

......
I which I was dumb enough to sell 3 of, lol..........
I just read this and now feel you deserve everything that happens during this conversion!
:ha

Best of luck anyway. What about S bars?

[awshucks]

They were already on the bike when I bought it. Lined up my painter today and my air port buddy is going to wire the electrics on gauges. Should have all the stuff in by late next week, I'm pumped!
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/awshucks47/R100001.jpg

[mmmalmberg]

Can't wait to see it!

[awshucks]

I just read this and now feel you deserve everything that happens during this conversion!


Thanks for 'jonesen' me, Roy!! J/k, but the $55 mounting hdwe turned into $136, won't be the last surprise I'm sure.