Windjammer on a Stone (finally)

[diablo45]

 It's been 6 years in the process, more laziness on my part then anything, The reason I finally got to making mounts and installing it was my EV fairing cracked all across the top, beneath the windshield.



 I don't know how long it has been this way but glad I caught it before it blew off in my face!
So here are a couple pics of the mounted Windjammer.





 This endeavor started in 2009 and many thanks to Leroy for selling me the fairing and Cave for help with pictures and emails about his correspondence with Craig Vetter.
There will be a few adjustments and possible rewiring to come and painting to match the bike over the winter. The first ride was good and it has quite the pocket of still air behind it at 75 mph!!

Sam

[fotoguzzi]

I don't care what the nay sayers say, that's pretty cool.. when people stop you their gonna thinks the bike is from the 70's.

I think my stash includes a pair of windjammer mounts for a Tonti frame if anyone is looking.

[Matt Story]

I had a Vetter on my 850-T for a while.  It kept my upper half dry and reduced fatigue but I was forever re-fixing the mount hardware.  Due to the overhung loads, the mounting design and suspension oscillations, they were constantly developing stress fractures.  When I replaced the original headlamp, the lowered wind resistance was pronounced.  Felt like 5 more HP.  Still have it, but I don't think it'll ever see any service from me.

They (Vetters) seem to have fallen from favor stylistically, but I think they look good including yours Diablo.

Keep an eye on the welds in your mounting brackets.  Maybe your mount is improved from the ones for the old Tonti's.

Matt

[diablo45]

I had a Vetter on my 850-T for a while.  It kept my upper half dry and reduced fatigue but I was forever re-fixing the mount hardware.  Due to the overhung loads, the mounting design and suspension oscillations, they were constantly developing stress fractures.  When I replaced the original headlamp, the lowered wind resistance was pronounced.  Felt like 5 more HP.  Still have it, but I don't think it'll ever see any service from me.

They (Vetters) seem to have fallen from favor stylistically, but I think they look good including yours Diablo.

Keep an eye on the welds in your mounting brackets.  Maybe your mount is improved from the ones for the old Tonti's.

Matt

 The mounts are bolted to the frame. I will be replacing the hose clamps this weekend with U bolts .


Sam

[twowheeladdict]

Brings back memories of my first street motorcycle.



Mine was the silver one above, but had every option available as shown in this red one.



A lot of bike for a 19 year old.

[fotoguzzi]

I'd like to see pictures of your mounts, if you have any available.

if you mean mine, send email to   fotoguzzi@yahoo.com   i can pic them when I get back from vacation.

[radguzzi]

Sam,
That looks great.  Let us know how the handling is after a few more miles.

Excellent look and I know those fairings work well also.

Best,
Rob

[diablo45]

Actually, I wanted to see pics of the mounts as they are installed on the bike.  I have a set of mounts for a Tonti frame, (courtesy of Fotoguzzi a couple of years back) but so far have not figured out how they go.  (Combination of laziness and not being very bright.)

 I'll take some pics for you when I finalize them. I have to tweak them alittle!

Sam

[diablo45]

Rob,
 I'll report back soon! So far it seems really good. No wobble or anything strange.


Sam

[steven c]

 I had a converted Convert (converted to a 5 speed) which came with a windjammer III and a Hang two bucket saddle, not the best looking but boy as it sure was nice on the slab. Of course i took off the faring and seat.

[Matt Story]

If this can be described w/o pictures (and memory serves me), on each side mine had a slice of steel tubing clamped to the frame down tube with 2 hose clamps.  A couple pieces of bar stock were welded to that piece and extended upward to the bottom of the fairing.  Another piece on each side rested on (and clamped to) the crash bar.  Both of these pieces were bolted through to the bottom of the fairing.

The problems I had were related to the fairings tendency to bounce when going over larger bumps which over time caused fatigue fractures at the welds.  If I were to re-install it, I would find a way to add a central support to the steering head.  Annealing the welded steel brackets could also be a big help.

Matt

[Matt Story]

On mine, the headlight ears did not need to be removed

[diablo45]

Also, did you have to remove the headlight mounting bracket?  Or will it fit in behind with just the headlight removed?

 On the Stone, the headlight mounts are removed and you have to make up two bars to replace them so your speedo gauge is still mounted in the same place. I have a picture of this that I'll post later today.

Sam

[Perazzimx14]

How is it decades after WJ went out of vogue they are still claiming the lives of innocent headlight bucket and trim rings?

When I bought my 850T from Lauri "1000s" he was adamant that I had to take the WJ fairing if I bought the bike. When we were loading it onto the truck he suggested not tying it down tightly. Just enought that it wouldn't fall off until a mile or so down the road so it couldn't be linked to him. I tried to sell it, give it away, pay someone to take it and finally took it to bulk trash day.

[canuguzzi]

I don't know if the service is still available but C.Vetter used to provide you with the proper mounting attitude for any bike that you want to mount a Windjammer onto. He didn't charge for it.

Most problems with Windjammers resulted from improper mounting angles on bikes for which a mount was made by the owner. It is the difference between pushing through the wind and slicing through it. Often what looks good isn't the right setup. If anyone uses. Windjammer and feels like they have a lot if frame pressure or overhang load, its probably mounted improperly.

[canuguzzi]

Vetter is a true icon and innovator in the field of motorcycling, he changed how touring was done.

The smaller Quicksilver fairing he made fits many middle weight bikes much better than the Windjammer. Its a bit more angular but also quite a bit lighter with less bulk.

[canuguzzi]

That Windjammer look great on your bike. Once I tried a frame mount fairing I never went back to a naked bike.

[rodekyll]

I redid the mounts on my convert to better install the fairing.  I welded tabs onto the crashbar and a bar onto the steering tube.  The fairing mounts directly to the welded pieces.  Very stable.

I was able to 'fold in' the headlight mount ears on the Convert.  There was no need to remove them. 

[bigbikerrick]

Hey Diablo, That "Jammer" looks cool ! Are you interested in selling  me the broken EV fairing, and mounts? I am thinking I may be able to adapt that to my Cal II.
Rick.

[diablo45]

Hey Diablo, That "Jammer" looks cool ! Are you interested in selling  me the broken EV fairing, and mounts? I am thinking I may be able to adapt that to my Cal II.
Rick.

Thanks! Not sure what I'm going to do with the EV fairing yet. I have to give the WJ a good trial before deciding to keep it or not. I'll  keep you in mind though.

Sam

[diablo45]

Also, did you have to remove the headlight mounting bracket?  Or will it fit in behind with just the headlight removed?

JN, here are some instructions I received from Cave for making the bars to replace the headlight ears/speedo mount. I used 1/2" square aluminum bar and drilled/tapped for the bolts that came off the ears/speedo mount.



Sam

[bigbikerrick]

Thanks! Not sure what I'm going to do with the EV fairing yet. I have to give the WJ a good trial before deciding to keep it or not. I'll  keep you in mind though.

Sam

Thank you Sam,
Rick

[charlie b]

This is nice.

If I had not found the SPIII fairing for mine I was going to buy a Windjammer.  Had a copy on my Honda in the old days.  Made riding in the desert bearable.