naked or small fairing on R65LS?

[TheLSKid]

After slightly effin' up the front fairing on the LS last year whilst changing a charging bulb, I'm finally coming around to the idea of pulling the plastic speed plow off, putting it in a box for when/if I ever sell it, and going either naked or putting another (slightly more effective, as I'm 6'2") small fairing on. Any opinions, ideas, experience with some of the options? That rifle fairing? The Shoei that's on ebay right now? Modifying an S-fairing to fit? I'm in no hurry, but I want to start gathering/looking for the parts necessary. I've got a cross country ramble/ride in mind for my 40th birthday this fall. Like to get it sorted out by then.

Thanks,
Bill

[plc]

Hi Bill,

I may be speaking out of my bottom here, but I believe that if you remove the LS fairing you need to get a standard R65 instrument housing to seal off the instruments from the weather.  A local bike mechanic assures me a R90S style bikini fairing will fit in place.  Otherwise I am not sure.

Also Parabellum (http://www.parabellum.com/) make a windscreen for the LS that leaves the old fairing in place. See it on the third page of BMW Replacement Windscreens (I can't get a direct link due to the frames). Mind you if the LS fairing is damaged then that may be pointless.

For the record a new trim panel dashboard cost me about US$80 from Hammersley Motorcycles (http://www.webparts.com/).

Best wishes,
Paul

[TheLSKid]

Paul.

Thanks for the info.  I had no idea about the Parabellum option. I just busted the plastic tabs on one side of the dashboard/upper fairing section. I suppose i could just replace that piece, put the Parabellum on when I'm doing long distance highway stuff, and leave it at that. I'm just hating the prospect of taking that fairing apart again if I have to replace or fix anything else in the instrument cluster.

Anybody else that uses any other small fairing on an R65 have any opinions on it?

[Justin B.]

If you like full coverage, and a sporty look, consider an "RS" fairing from one of the "bigger" bikes.  Little or no modifications needed and they look pretty cool!  See Trolle's writeup further down the page on his conversion...

[nhmaf]

Those black plastic tabs are broken on at least 80% of the LS bikes around - you can still generally ride with them broken as long as everything else is snugged down - maybe a bit of double sided tape or
SMALL bit of double sided body panel tape will hold it down onto the headlight shell if yours is really loose, but be careful, that body panel tape is pretty strong.  There is always cleverly hidden duct tape, too!
 

[plc]

Bill,

When my LS arrived that top panel was damaged. The fix they used was a small l piece of steel riveted onto the black plastic then hooked into the fairing. It worked until I stuffed it up.

My second top panel broke out of the blue manipulating it.  The UV rays embrittle the plastic a bit then the tabs snap off a little bit easier. At least that is what I am telling myself ans to why the new one WON"T do that.

All the best,
Paul

[MrRiden]

My LS has had the tabs broken off. Used JB weld to hold some industrial strength Velcro on to the black plastic and fairing bits. Slap the backing Velcro across and it's good for 100 mph+. pics if ya want 'em. Stand in fairing? Poverty riders choice= http://www.jcwhitney.com/SPORT-STYLE-FAIRINGS/GP_2000644_N_111+10211+600014200_10111.jcw
It covers the gauges.
rich

[nhmaf]

Rich - the black part on my LS fairing is still holding on but I wouldn't mind pics of your 'industrial strength velcro' solution - I may want to strengthen things for some longer trips this year (like to Tennessee) -
sometimes its good to have both a belt and suspenders...  where do you get 'industrial' velcro?

[MrRiden]

I'll shoot ya a pic this weekend. The Industrial strength Velcro is nothing more than an extra wide strip. Actually I think I got it at one of the home improvement stores like Lowes or Ace.
rich

[TheLSKid]

I would like those pics, too. The LS is my regular ride, so this may be the simplest solution for me.

Thanks,

Bill

[MrRiden]

Ok, there are some pictures up on http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m70/mrridden/ of the Hillbilly Speed Plow fix. Background is; when I got this bike there was no front faring at all. Just a sawed off top cover with the gauges nekked to God and everyone. A post on BMWOA and an exchange of one Ulysses S. Grant got me a dinged up plow and top cover with all the tabs broken. Bondo smoothed out the dog chew and storage with a cheese grater marks on the lower. Some 2" wide Velcro was JB Welded on to the back of the upper and lower [be careful to align so they match] and a 2"X4" strap of the fuzzy velcro holds the two together. With the ignition switch nut, Velcro and rubber headlamp shell gasket holding everything together I don't get any flapping, buzzing or other complaints. Bonus, the top shell comes off faster than with the original Snap, break and swear setup. Push down on the top shell when putting the Velcro backing on to make a snug fit. Now can anyone carbon fiber my top shell? I think it would look good.
rich

[nhmaf]

Thanks, Rich !!!
 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[TheLSKid]

 Thanks. Great fix!

[plc]

Rich,

Thanks for that, awesome fix. Now no longer concerned about those two little clips coming off.

Paul

[suecanada]

Thank you from me too! One side only has lost one side tab. I suppose if i ever went fast enough it could get caught in the wind....maybe? I used to have the National Cycle Deflector Screen model before I burnt it up positioned over the top....that'll keep the black top in place...yeah right.

Those NC Deflector screens sure are universal...fit the F650GS twin too.