Fitting a 1970s Rickmans front Fairing to a 1981 Suzuki GS550E (UK Spec)

[Guest]

Hi,

As I'm using my GS550E in the cold and wet British winters, I have managed to find a 1970's/early 80's Rickman's front fairing for the bike. This should help protect me and the bike against wind and rain and make the bike more usable during the winter months.

The fairing I bought was originally fitted to a GS850 I believe. I have fitted this and the frame fits, as does the fairing. The only trouble I am having is that the handlebars on my bike are not the originals and they catch the fairing when the wheel is turned as they are too high - and so I need to find some new handlebars.

I have been told that low rise handlebars would be ideal as this would reduce the height and allow the handlebars to move freely with the fairing fitted. I have attached a few pictures which may help to explain my predicament!

My question is, does anyone know what handlebars came as standard on the GS550E, and if so could you possibly provide measurements or a picture. If any members have fitted a front fairing, I would be very grateful of any pictures which show the handlebars and fairing in the same shot.

Many thanks in advance. Lukebike fairing 2.jpg

[luke83g]

Sorry for some reason I cant upload anymore pictures!?

[luke83g]

Capture.JPG

SMall pictures sorry, but hopefully shows the problem.

[steveb922]

Luke, I have some standard bars here which I'd be happy to measure. Might take a day or two, as I've damaged my back and can't currently reach them!

But looking at your photos, I'd say you need flatter than standard. Yours are maybe a little higher than standard, but not much.

I don't suppose you have a length of 7/8" tubing? You could lay that across your handlebar mounts, and use that to determine desired pullback, height etc.

[luke83g]

Hi Steve, that would be fantastic if you could measure them for me. Great idea about the bar - I might have to cut a broom handle and use that as a measure of whether or not straight bars also catch.

I'm wondering if Rickman's supplied some drop handlebars with the fairing at the time. It is obvious that the fairing is designed to have handlebars which are much lower.

I really want to get this sorted!

I have been looking on eBay and someone in the UK is selling NOS patter low rise handlebars, the trouble is I think if anything I need bars that drop an inch or so rather than rise!

Look forward to hearing from you Steve! Cheers Luke

[uk gs nut]

Have a look for some Ace bars, there a bit like clip on bars.

[Buffalo Bill]

Looks like trial and error to me.
Obviously the Rickman was a racing fairing so you need race bars or clip ons.
Not sure you want that riding position for commuting.

[steve murdoch]

I have only seen clip-ons or clubmans with a Rickman fairng.
Contact Chuck78. He has a lot of Rickman knowledge.

[Chuck78]

What Steve and buffalo said. Rickman 95% of the time came with very low mounted clip on as they were a sports/racing platform.
You need swept back drag bars (no rise but not the straight broomstick kind), Superbike bars (2" rise or so with moderate sweepback), or some clip on bars like tomaselli's that are adjustable.
I've seen a few photos of Rickman CR's with original clubman bars mounted on the triple, & one with Superbike bars - which just looked odd for a Rickman since they always have an aggressive stance.

[Chuck78]

Yes I'd say that needs clubman or clip on bars! Can you modify the mounting slightly to raise the fairing any? Then you could fit drag bars possibly.

[luke83g]

Thanks for the advice, the fairing will not move at all from the position it is in unfortunately so I guess this means bars suggested in your post Chuck78.

I think I need to give some serious thought into this as I do like the current riding position.

I really need a screen / fairing of some kind for my GS550 as I use it to commute. Are there any other fairings about on the UK scene that would allow me to retain the current driving position?

[hampshirehog]

One of those universal cockpit fairings would probably be ok. They do take the sting out of the wind and rain.

Or alternatively you could fit Jota bars to your bike with existing fairing and adjust them to suit. You might be able to just make them suit your riding position plus avoid the fairing.

[Buffalo Bill]

I have no idea how you found a vintage race fairing like Rickman's. Because there are many sport fairings made that are better suited to your needs; touring.
You may able to find a vintage Windjammer fairing
Rifle Fairings are very good

[steve murdoch]

I would look into a replica S fairing.
Less expensive than the ones available in N.A.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GS1000S-Nose-Fairing-With-Screen-/322573261146?hash=item4b1add595a:g:ScEAAOSwq~tZS5wj

[luke83g]

Would love a Windjammer fairing but I don't think they sold them in the UK. Certainly haven't seen one!