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GS 550E 1980 - headlight fairing

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    GS 550E 1980 - headlight fairing

    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 )
    UKJULES
    ---------------------------------
    Owner of following bikes:
    1980 Suzuki GS550ET
    1977 Yamaha RD 250D
    1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
    1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

    #2
    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.
    2@ \'78 GS1000

    Comment


      #3
      Thanks for info. This opened up a few options.







      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 )
      Last edited by ukjules; 10-18-2019, 05:31 AM.
      UKJULES
      ---------------------------------
      Owner of following bikes:
      1980 Suzuki GS550ET
      1977 Yamaha RD 250D
      1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
      1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

      Comment


        #4
        I have gone for this.


        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 ......
        UKJULES
        ---------------------------------
        Owner of following bikes:
        1980 Suzuki GS550ET
        1977 Yamaha RD 250D
        1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
        1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

        Comment


          #5
          I cannot believe how little they are asking for that product.

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

          Motorcycle windshields and accessories by the world leader in windshield manufacturing. National Cycle is a key supplier of motorcycle windshields to motorcycle OEMs since 1937.
          '83 GS650G
          '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

          Comment


            #6
            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.
            UKJULES
            ---------------------------------
            Owner of following bikes:
            1980 Suzuki GS550ET
            1977 Yamaha RD 250D
            1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
            1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

            Comment


              #7
              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.
              '83 GS650G
              '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

              Comment


                #8
                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.

                20191018_135507_resize_47.jpg
                Last edited by ukjules; 10-22-2019, 05:13 PM.
                UKJULES
                ---------------------------------
                Owner of following bikes:
                1980 Suzuki GS550ET
                1977 Yamaha RD 250D
                1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
                1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

                Comment


                  #9
                  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:



                  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)

                  National Cycle's Deflector screen stands out from others thanks to the patented no-tool Rake Adjust hardware. The Deflector screen attaches to the han…
                  Last edited by BigD_83; 10-22-2019, 06:39 PM.
                  '83 GS650G
                  '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

                  Comment


                    #10
                    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.
                    UKJULES
                    ---------------------------------
                    Owner of following bikes:
                    1980 Suzuki GS550ET
                    1977 Yamaha RD 250D
                    1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
                    1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

                    Comment


                      #11
                      PM sent....
                      '83 GS650G
                      '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

                      Comment


                        #12


                        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.
                        Rich
                        1982 GS 750TZ
                        2015 Triumph Tiger 1200

                        BikeCliff's / Charging System Sorted / Posting Pics
                        Destroy-Rebuild 750T/ Destroy-Rebuild part deux

                        Comment


                          #13
                          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
                          ---------------------------------
                          Owner of following bikes:
                          1980 Suzuki GS550ET
                          1977 Yamaha RD 250D
                          1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
                          1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

                          Comment


                            #14
                            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.

                            20191028_152313_resize_81.jpg
                            Last edited by ukjules; 10-28-2019, 11:35 AM.
                            UKJULES
                            ---------------------------------
                            Owner of following bikes:
                            1980 Suzuki GS550ET
                            1977 Yamaha RD 250D
                            1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
                            1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

                            Comment


                              #15
                              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.
                              UKJULES
                              ---------------------------------
                              Owner of following bikes:
                              1980 Suzuki GS550ET
                              1977 Yamaha RD 250D
                              1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
                              1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

                              Comment

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