GS 550E 1980 - headlight fairing

[ukjules]

I can barely believe I'm asking this but after
my last EU tour a few years ago doing 5000 miles
on my 550, I need to consider an option of not
being buffeted by the wind.

I know a headlight fairing would destroy the superb lines
on my bike but does anyone know of one that is cool looking
and functional ?

(if I had one now if ride to Gibraltar for the last
of the summer sun )

is there an option? I am sick if seeing those
BMW trail bike riders burn past not being buffeted
by the wind )

 

[steve murdoch]

You guys get the S replica fairings for a lot better price than we do in North America.
I think with matching paint it would suit the size and lines of your bike.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-G...225209?hash=item4b6c1a87b9:g:0nMAAOSwUPVcF7sS

 

[ukjules]

Thanks for info. This opened up a few options.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/322625735203

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/183624606203

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/172728669732

Has anyone fitted , got one if these ?
Does it make a big difference on long rides ?
ease of fitting ?

I am now turning to a headlight sort if windshield
rather than a fairing .
(as when camped on an eve you can take the God damned awful
device off easily and cruise freely with the good lines
of the bike revealed )

 

[ukjules]

I have gone for this.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/223230025772

cheap from china.
I'll report but I will not stop until
I have solved this issue .
I could be in Almeria now in the sun if I wasnt
buffeted by the wind ......

 

[BigD_83]

I cannot believe how little they are asking for that product.

Check out the offerings ($$$) from these folks:

http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogs.html

 

[ukjules]

It is amazing the prices !
I will follow up on this thread when it arrives.
I ain't stopping until I get this sorted as I need
next summer to do a EU tour again and if I ever
get to usa and buy an old gs and ride about on it
i will need this sorted.

i got about 3-4 cheapo options all from china it seems.
ill exhaust them all to sus this.

we need one that stios most of wind and is easy to remove
as they are awful looking and ruin the lines of the bike.
sort of put on when on a hop between places.

 

[BigD_83]

I really like mine. At the time I thought the National Cycle offerings were my best option, and more than a few people of the GSR were using them.

A couple of weeks ago, I had to take mine off and on a few times over the course of a week. Takes about 15 seconds to do so, and it goes back into the same position solidly, every time.

 

[ukjules]

what is your one ?
can we have a pic ?
where did you get it? how much ?
do you get good relief from the wind ?

15secs removal is exactly what I need !

this is my headlight .... how does yours fit ?
the ones on ebay I simply cannot see how they attach
so I'm.taking a risk.

 

[BigD_83]

I'll try to get a picture for you. I don't think I have any closeups stored digitally anywhere.

Mine is the Deflector DX model, which they don't seem to list at the moment. IIRC, it has more of a rounded opening for the headlight compared to the ones shown here:

http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogs/deflectorscreen-hd.html

The mounts are to the handlebar, but I haven't noticed any particular movement of them due to high winds, etc. No tools required to remove the shield.

Here is another example from JPCycles (used to be Motorcycle Superstore)

https://www.jpcycles.com/product/803-595/national-cycle-7-8-quickset-clear-deflector-screen

 

[ukjules]

Thanks for info.
Looks like that is the way to go but I
will take a risk and test these cheap
ones and report on here.

my issue is not one of these cheap options
on ebay shows clearly how they are fixed ?
I simply cannot see how they can work.
surely 2 fixings on a headlight cannot hold at speed.

what I will say is that your one on the
pics on site doesn't look too bad. it doesn't
ruin the lines of the bike like those awful
80"s fairings ....

when my one arrives I'll report and if rubbish
I'll try and modify to work or get the next ebay
one on the list.
This must be solved for next EU tour.

 

[BigD_83]

PM sent....

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

I just bought this one on eBay. I figured $22 is worth it to experiment and let you all know what I think of it. Gotta be better than nothing, provided the fit is decent. I?ll post back here with a review after I get it installed.

 

[ukjules]

aha same as one I ordered!.
dont understand the fixing and how it will hold
at speed but its worth a try.

if it works it transforms long cruising.

if not there are others on ebay to try too.

ill update post too.

 

[ukjules]

Update:

my 13? headlight fairing arrived today.
quick I must say from china. 10 days !!!!!
same one as Rich&$&^-%& he posted with ebay details.

pic attached.

to fit I had to:
attach to headlight pivot bolts.
- these I needed longer ones by about 10mm
- I also had to flatten the bracket provided.
it has a bend on it but this bend on my 7"
light would not fit . straightening both
with a hammer it did.

it looks good, well built.
so I am well pleased ! but does it work ?
I'll test asap !

p.s I'm thinking if bolts dont hold it in wind
(they seem firm though) stuffing your hat in between
clocks would do it.

 

[ukjules]

Riding wind test:
Ok at sonitnlools great . ot fits the gs550e 1980
and doesn't ruin the lines.

it does def lesson wind.
I feel I could do with one slightly higher for perfection.
it will do bit perfection I could do with higher k think.

dare I try another cheapo from Ebay?

but with the new bolts and hammering the bracket flat
it fits the 7" light. it wont unless you do that.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Update:


same one as Rich&$&^-%& he posted with ebay details.

View attachment 59430

Slow boat from China is still gonna be a few weeks to get to me. Your fitment notes are... well... noted. I think it looks good. I'm looking forward to getting it.

 

[BigD_83]

It does look good. Perhaps it is the perspective of the photo, but it seems like the fairing would direct a fair blast into one's upper torso and jaw rather than over one's head. Still, if it doesn't rattle around and takes some strain off of you, it's a fair price.

 

[ukjules]

When sitting on bike it looks like it would divert
wind to my head (I'm 6ft 2").
I need to test on motorway but on the road all
j know is it helped . It wasnt full on taking the wind
and it didnt rattle or move about.

I am considering getting one of those extension
bit that clip on to deflect from head ?
they truly look awful but can be removed
after 300mile hop through Europe. use as a tool only.

 

[ukjules]

Having spent 13? on superb headlight fairing
(details in this thread) to be sure
I have bought the extender shield.

will report but I gota say I am astonished how
good the headlight fairing is in both looks and function.
this allows and will transform my next years eu tour.

[know I need a gs55/750 for my usa tour
starting in the cheapest airport from the uk
to the usa] How could i do that ?
hire , buy , beg and borrow ?

 

[BigD_83]

How about a long-term rental situation? Buy a running GS from a member, and return it in good condition to get your money back. Donate a portion of the funds back to the owner for maintenance, etc...not sure how you'd work out insurance, etc but I'm sure someone is in a postion to come to a mutually-agreeable arrangement.

If that doesn't work for you, I posted a link sometime ago about flight-shipping, and it was surprisingly affordable.