Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mwether on June 27, 2025, 12:36:03 PM

Title: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Mwether on June 27, 2025, 12:36:03 PM
Hi, all.

There are so many options for screens/fairings, I'm trying to figure out what you've had the best experience with. For the record, I'm a shrimp (5'8", 160#) so rider size will probably not be a factor. Except for seeing over the thing!  :grin:

What I understand from y'all is that the H&H/Swanee/Pacifico Aero Foil is the gold standard. Pretty sure that's what's on these Cal IIIs?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ride/Bike-Stuff/i-jpvTghD/0/KW5xFvf9vPhQtq75H3TTTjJ59LzP2XGV9WQGzZpGW/L/swanee-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ride/Bike-Stuff/i-jBwH9Mq/0/KFQdtXphgvDnPG2T3Wxz3phQNnZzXDtTKsWmGLM37/XL/swanee-XL.jpg)

The Swanees seem to be pretty uncommon(?), so if I can't find one, I'll be looking for whatever would be the silver medalist.

There's the full fiberglass job on some Cal IIIs.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ride/Bike-Stuff/i-L4NVG5s/0/LcLxsrvJPngStdL87XtZ4R3h5D7kG4GPp5NKzSZM5/L/1990-caliofornia-3-v0-lpgjiz135s1f1-L.jpg)

And the EV OEM, which doesn't seem to have the best reputation??

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ride/Bike-Stuff/i-QSCcHgM/0/M822mHNQB8gB6NRQWkcKzjQtXFZMWCSNf9QWKM55q/XL/hydrofront-XL.jpg)

Then you get into more minimalist ones and the aftermarket.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ride/Bike-Stuff/i-sNvQKRC/0/NPZXPsCQtMDT8hKM2P4qgk2th9hfx6FtdjcBjZXGW/L/bassafrontquarter-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ride/Bike-Stuff/i-GZnSpSg/0/NcHSKGBQwGN2PDfDS7SFdsVF3tpz6X6ZhLD8SF4MK/O/GaryEVsheep.jpg)

The lowers on this seem like they might be helpful?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Ride/Bike-Stuff/i-D35czJq/0/Lt5B9hRP5bD7JM4mqHjSFxMj5z69gfrcWjx4RXMr3/O/aftermarket%20cali%20screen.jpg)

I do like the idea of the smaller ones, at least in terms of forward visibility. It seems like they would provide the best view of the road but the least protection. I guess everything is a trade-off...
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: bigbikerrick on June 27, 2025, 01:55:37 PM
I am a fan of the national cycle plexifairing III. I have them on both my 76 Convert,and my 98 V 11 ev.  I went from the Guzzi 'barn door" windshield to the plexifairing 3 on the EV, since the barn door gave me alot of distortion due to its curves.  I have ridden a couple of ev's  with the swanee fairing, and it was nice, but IMHO, not necessarily  better than the national cycle.
Rick.
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Tom on June 27, 2025, 02:35:22 PM
Plus one on the National Cycle Plexistar II & III windshields.  I have a II on my '97 California 1100i.  I've ridden on a California EV with a III.  The difference is the III extends a little longer to the turn signals.  It'll extend your riding season with better cold & wet weather coverage.  I'm your height and prefer the II for the weather that we have on my side of the island.  If I still lived in Mesa, AZ probably the III.  👍
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: DoubleGuzzi on June 27, 2025, 05:17:16 PM
Gotta say, from an across The Pond perspective, most of them look hideous. I'm biased away from "monster" bikes though, with few exceptions. :rolleyes:
The Cal III one I like; reminds me of a better looking Vetter.
((((Scurries off...))))
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Mwether on June 27, 2025, 05:56:31 PM
...The Cal III one I like; reminds me of a better looking Vetter.
((((Scurries off...))))

DG, I'm scurrying right with you!
 
That Cal III touring rig is growing on me. The fairing DOES look like a Quicksilver with a little Italian "non so che"!
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: fotoguzzi on June 27, 2025, 06:29:07 PM
There is also the Moto Guzzi Sport shield that was a fantastic summer time screen.
(https://i.ibb.co/cck0PnmN/IMG-2264.png) (https://ibb.co/cck0PnmN)
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: glenm64 on June 27, 2025, 11:57:08 PM
Depends how much weather or air you want to keep off. Here in Oz you dont want to keep too much air out or you get hot in summer. I fitted a fairing from a Scura/Titanium to my 94 1100.
(https://i.ibb.co/mwHY023/1.png) (https://ibb.co/mwHY023)

(https://i.ibb.co/ZRmNTNw6/20241010-112243.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZRmNTNw6)
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: DoubleGuzzi on June 28, 2025, 04:06:08 AM
I fitted a fairing from a Scura/Titanium to my 94 1100.
Looks surprisingly good, as not the most obvious thing to do. The colour match helps a lot.
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: lazlokovacs on June 28, 2025, 05:21:33 AM
the first question is, what cruising speed are you aiming for?

Most barn door/police style screen will be perfectly serviceable up about 50mph but will become downright nasty above 70mph.

I found that the H&H or Swanee (they're the same design), really came into it's own at speeds above 80mph.

I used to cruise my Cali at 90+mph all day so the H&H was essential for me.

And on occasion I LOVED smoking a cigar behind that windscreen in total serenity!
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Mwether on June 28, 2025, 06:32:23 AM
I fitted a fairing from a Scura/Titanium to my 94 1100.

That looks great, Glen!
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Mwether on June 28, 2025, 06:34:33 AM
the first question is, what cruising speed are you aiming for?

Good question, lazlo.

I'm looking for effectiveness on US interstates, which sounds like the H&H/Swanee.

Why does something so functional have to look so goofy?  :grin:
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Ncdan on June 28, 2025, 06:38:24 AM

(https://i.ibb.co/27pFWhJn/IMG-1533.png) (https://ibb.co/27pFWhJn)
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Stretch on June 28, 2025, 07:09:44 AM
The Swanee on my California Touring is fantastic.

Haven't tried a plexifairing yet, but I hear good things about them.

                                             -Stretch
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Wayne Orwig on June 28, 2025, 08:11:56 AM
I had a Plexifairing III on my California for over 100,000 miles. Put that on my EV when I got it. I always liked the Plexifairing, but the wind noise/rumble was bad. I tried a number of things and nothing helped.
I found a Swanee and installed that. It was magical. No more horrible rumble.
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: LowRyter on June 28, 2025, 09:16:57 AM
I've had Plexi fairing 2 & 3.  The 2 buffets really badly.  The PF3 does a good job.  I believe the moderator "Dan" found the PF3 for the Honda Shadow 750 is the right one.  I've got one on '98 EV.  Which BTW- would like to sell it to a new home.
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Mwether on June 28, 2025, 09:39:17 AM
I've had Plexi fairing 2 & 3.  The 2 buffets really badly.  The PF3 does a good job.  I believe the moderator "Dan" found the PF3 for the Honda Shadow 750 is the right one. 

Thanks! I was wondering about this, since the fitment chart says there isn't a PF3 for the EVs...

...'98 EV.  Which BTW- would like to sell it to a new home.

I will send you a PM, good sir!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Mwether on June 28, 2025, 09:40:06 AM

(https://i.ibb.co/27pFWhJn/IMG-1533.png) (https://ibb.co/27pFWhJn)

Dan, what fairing are you running on the CalVin here?
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: lazlokovacs on June 28, 2025, 11:32:34 AM
you have a fair few hundred thousand miles of Cali touring experience steering you to the H&H.

Paint it black and pinstripe it or something or paint it like an old loop police fairing, you'll love it!
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: Ncdan on June 29, 2025, 07:39:27 AM
Dan, what fairing are you running on the CalVin here?
The Clearview, tallest available. I also incorporate the Harley fork wind deflectors. This combo offers a great dead air space which I find comfortable on long rides. Also offers good rain, bug and debris protection.
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: DoubleGuzzi on June 29, 2025, 07:46:37 AM
..Also offers good rain, bug and debris protection.
Much needed when wearing short leg pale trousers and exposed socks.  :tongue:
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: lazlokovacs on June 29, 2025, 06:45:27 PM
FWIW my friend had a calvin and put on some home made fork deflectors. (think he posted on here as elvis a couple of times, so there may even be pictures of his bike up somewhere...) He asid they really helped with the buffeting. I tried his bike and it was not even close to how good the H&H functions.
Title: Re: Experiences with California fairings?
Post by: dguzzi on June 30, 2025, 04:35:24 PM
 I use a Gustafson windshield on my stock EVTouring fairing, I bought the tall one thinking I would trim the bottom if I wanted to lower it. Heck its so nice I left it it tall, it works great!  I think the little curve at the top is important.  I'm 6' in case that's a factor.