A New Look - '80 GS1100E Quarter Fairing

[Tom MLC]

The big square headlight has always meant few options for a functional fairing. In the past I had a National Cycle windshield, which worked well. (See my sig for older pics). But I always wanted something sleek and sexy to compliment the body of the bike.

Well, I was never crazy about the Wes Cooley fairing, and the old school cafe bubble fairing has been done many times. I wanted something different. My answer was a Rifle Nightflight fairing.

Behind the fairing you can see the original headlight housing. This piece has always been the biggest challenge for an aftermarket fairing fitment. More than just a bucket, this housing is part of the body work of the bike. I was able to fabricate my own brackets to fit the fairing without removing the headlight housing.

I did this after many long e-mail and phone conversations with the folks at Rifle. My bike is not on the list of applications. Rifle worked with me personally to be confident that I could make this fit. Of course, they were worried about whether this could be warrantied. I will be riding down to their shop in 2 weeks, to see if they can help with fine tuning the fitment.

Have I mentioned how first-rate the folks at Rifle were to me? I sent them one of my side covers so they could match the paint. They helped me arrange for pick up and delivery at no additional cost, and had the whole job complete in less than 10 days. Here's their website. http://www.rifle.com/

Here's a few pictures of the mounting. Notice the sturdy struts for the upper mounting. They are extendable, and articulate for versatility. Look closely and you can see the "custom" brackets I needed to make for the lower mounting.

Well, whadda ya think?

 

[Guest]

Very nice, the lines blend perfectly with the bike. Well done. I'll have to check out their website, sound like a good business to deal with.

 

[80GS1000]

Looks great! Perfect compliment to the lines on that bike. How's the wind protection and are you bringing that beaut to the Reno rally?

 

[Charlie G]

Tom,

That looks sweet!!

cg

 

[posplayr]

Tom,
That works very well. Changes the looks of the square headlight E in a very nice way. Mount looks very clean
Jim

 

[Tom MLC]

Very nice, the lines blend perfectly with the bike. Well done. I'll have to check out their website, sound like a good business to deal with.

Looks great! Perfect compliment to the lines on that bike. How's the wind protection and are you bringing that beaut to the Reno rally?

The bike has so many square lines. Typical of the era, I guess. All the fairing options I have seen have had rounded lines. Until I saw this Rifle fairing, I was never excited about a fairing for this bike. At some time, Shoie made a quarter fairing that fit this bike. It had similar lines. There may be some pictures of that look in my signature.

azr, I showed these old pics to Rifle. They were very cooperative, and helpful to me. I'm looking forward to meeting them in person.

PJ, right away I was impressed with the result. It keeps the wind off my chest. And I can feel the wind on my gloves. Not a bad thing, unless the mercury is thin, if you know what I mean. But I'm a fair weather rider anyway. So that shouldn't be a problem. This windshield is lower than the top of my helmet. They do offer a taller screen, but I thought it would look ugly. Too dominant. So far, I'm happy.

As for the rally in July, my plan is to bring the red hotrod. It will be her turn to play. And I will be anxious to open the throttle on the 1085 and the VM29's.

 

[Guest]

That looks awesome, Tom. Nice job! And kudos to Rifle. :clap:

 

[ronin1166]

Looks good.
I enjoy the clean custom-fab work.

I remember when the Rifle Nightflight came out, waaay back in the day (probably '82 or '83?). Always thought they really tightened up the look of the 80-81 750E & 1100E.

Although my personal taste would favor a slightly shorter or more swept-back windscreen, a la the Shoei FM2.
YRMV.

.

 

[Guest]

Looks great! Very well done!!! :clap:

 

[Tom MLC]

Thanks for the props everybody!

 

[Guest]

All I see are palm and cypress trees.
:-\\\





Looks real good Tom.
Where'd you get the black chrome Zook pipe?

 

[almarconi]

Don't mean to change the subject, but who makes the trunk on the bike?

Looks like it would be a perfect fit on the KG rack that is on my bike.

 

[posplayr]

Where'd you get the black chrome Zook pipe?

ED pipe :-\\\

 

[UncleMike]

Gorgeous. First square headlight I've liked. Damned thing looks like it was a factory option.

Actually, seeing some of the factory options from the area, I'd even say better.

 

[Guest]

Unsquared

Unsquared

Gorgeous. First square headlight I've liked. Damned thing looks like it was a factory option.

Actually, seeing some of the factory options from the area, I'd even say better.

I've never cared for the square headlights from the first time I saw them at Hayward Kawasaki/Suzuki in the fall of 79, but that set-up COMPLETLY changes my opinion- very nice, really integrates well.

 

[Tom MLC]

All I see are palm and cypress trees.
:-\\\





Looks real good Tom.
Where'd you get the black chrome Zook pipe?

The pipes are '83 1100E stockers. Got 'em from a fella here.

I'm liking the silver & black theme. I plan to take this bike up to the Oakland Coliseum and sell it to some rabid Raiders fan for like $5K or something.

 

[Guest]

The pipes are '83 1100E stockers. Got 'em from a fella here.

I'm liking the silver & black theme. I plan to take this bike up to the Oakland Coliseum and sell it to some rabid Raiders fan for like $5K or something.

TOTAL LOL- I know about Raiders fans, could be done, but you WOULDN'T
WOULD YOU??

 

[Tom MLC]

Gorgeous. First square headlight I've liked. Damned thing looks like it was a factory option.

Actually, seeing some of the factory options from the area, I'd even say better.

I've never cared for the square headlights from the first time I saw them at Hayward Kawasaki/Suzuki in the fall of 79, but that set-up COMPLETLY changes my opinion- very nice, really integrates well.

This is my second square headlight. First was an '81 GS750E I bought new back in the day. D@mn, was I ever that young?

I'm trying to work out a bit of a fitment issue. The inside of the fairing hits the instrument shroud. Leaves me with about a 1/4 inch gap across the top of the headlight. I'm hoping the folks at Rifle will be able to help me out. Worse case, I gotta chop the instrument housing.

I'm in the hunt for a used instrument cluster. I'd rather cut up an old beat up housing, than my nice purdy one. Couple of guys here are trying to help me out.

 

[Tom MLC]

TOTAL LOL- I know about Raiders fans, could be done, but you WOULDN'T
WOULD YOU??

Not a chance.

 

[Billy Ricks]

Any chance of bending the gauge mounting bracket(s) up or down to clear the fairing?