S- fairing question

[fbenach]

Hello everyone!!
I have another question for the wizards... I´m thinking on adding a S fairing to my beemer but I can´t seem to understand why some vendors sell the unit with and without the dash part...
Can someone explain me what´s the function of that "dash" part?
I understant I need the fairing itself, plus a mounting kit... am I completely lost?

Here are two examples:
http://www.boxercafe.com/BMWSfairings.htm

http://www.caferace.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=C&Product_Code=CR70-52501&Category_Code=RRBT

Thank you in advance, this forum rocks!!
Regards,
Fernando

[steve hawkins]

Its just so you can mount the volt meter and the clock.

Neither of which are really required.  Although both were available as an option.

I put an aftermarket S fairing on my R100 and got a couple of second hand clocks - niether of which currently work - they did for a short while.  I have not bothered to find out why......

Here is a piccy or two - the first one with the dash but without the clocks, the second after I painted it (with a brush).

The smooth areas either side of the holes for the clocks are for stickers.  I initially filled the clock holes with plastic blanking plates.

[tvrla]

Do realize that the S fairing is designed for the 7" headlight, not the smaller R65 6". It may be possible to find a fairing with a modificed headlight opening.

The other possibility is converting to a 7" light, but that also requires the larger headlight bucket, modifying the mounts or custom headlight mounts...

If you use a fairing designed for a 7" headlight with the smaller R65 light, there will be a large gap and won't look good at all.

[steven m]

I have a second hand German WUDO fairing on my trusty 83 r65.  Found it here in the trading post, in the correct color, with striping.  Scaled for an R65.  Biggest difference is the dash is molded in.  Uses BMW windscreen.  Still available new from Germany.  I will eventually need to strip mine down and repaint, but for now it works just fine.

Might be less expensive than a used 90S.

Good luck.

Steve

[fbenach]

You see? is so useful to be around here!!!

Thanks for the feedback...
Wirespokes... definitely the size on the lamp is a big issue... I see there are only 7" fairings everywhere and had no idea my light was 6" by default... good tip.

Steve H and Steve M, those fairings look beautiful!!!

So, any other suggestion on the 6" issue?

[bruce_launceston]

The R65 headlights are larger than 6" BUT they are a 'bee's dick' (technical term) smaller than most BMW headlights.
Although there is not much difference, IMHO any gap between the headlight and the fairing always looks odd.
In the fairing photos above there appears to be a black trim like the automotive 'pinchweld' that closes the gap and creates a good finish, this might be an option.

(Of course Steve's bike is a R100 with the larger headlight.)

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Mr Hawkins, when you have an opportunity would it be possible to see some close ups of the mounting arrangement for your fairing?  I have an S fairing on order for the R90/6.  I will need to fashion brackets for mounting and would like a visual detail.  Monte-angelo has agreed to assist with the painting, however all the sweat equity and expense, naturally, is for my account.

There is also a Corbin Gunfighter saddle in the mix and I would very much like the finished product to look well done.

[tvrla]

The R65 headlights are larger than 6" BUT they are a 'bee's dick' (technical term) smaller than most BMW headlights.

Technically these lights are metric sizes and the 7" is actually a bit larger than that. There are three sizes of airhead lights - the 7", the R65 size, and the R80G/S size which is smaller yet. I haven't measured the R65 (which is also the same size as the /5), but guess I'll have to so I can talk about this stuff with some authority!  

The S fairing came with a rubber seal between the plastic and light, and that's what you're seeing in the above photo.

[steven m]

You might like to consider an air-tech R90S fairing as well.  They make models for different headlight sizes, as can be seen here:

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/bmw/bmwboxer.htm

[marcmax]

I just went in the garage and measured and the headlight on my LS is 175mm or 6.89 inches. About as close to 7 inches as you can get. I remember that when I took the LS fairing off there was a black rubber gasket that went over the headlight trim ring and against the inside edge of the LS fairing. That would fill the small space you would have nicely.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0365&mospid=51899&btnr=46_0045&hg=46&fg=40

[marcmax]

Let me correct that. The OD of the headlight trim ring is 175mm or 6.9 inches. The actual glass face of the headlight is 155mm or 6.1 inches.

[tvrla]

The outside of the 90S headlight is something like 7.25 inches and then the chrome ring ads to that making a total of 7 3/4". And the stock 90S fairing uses a rubber seal to close off the area around the headlight. So it all comes down to the difference in size between the two.

[fbenach]

Thank you all!!

I actually bought the viper/EMGO fairing to give it a try... I will post pictures when I get my hands on it and let you know the results!!

Wish me luck!!

[crocket]

Another option is to fit a fairing of an old Moto Guzzi Spada.Only a top h/bar type there are after market ones about. This is what I have on mine.Stops the blast, and looks the part! Have also R80 type tank onand R80 valanced front m/guard (like to be different!) Remoulded comfort seat with gel in it and Koni dial a rides (remember Koni? ) Fitted twin Brembos and swopped rear shoes for Ferodo shoes,rear brake much better. Interested in any more mods/improvements as always messing with bike!

[fbenach]

By the way, thanks to MARCMAX for taking the time and get that info... I talked to a friend at a cafe racer shop in Chicago and told me he actually used that gasket once for this exact fairing (EMGO/VIPER) and fit perfectly... will buy a cuople of those just in case...