Vetter on R? Can it be done?

Kevin50r · Post by **Kevin50r** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:29 am

I often come up with ingenious (not ingenuous!) ways to fix things that aren't broken. This sometimes results in great stuff and sometimes injury and near death experiences.

I'm wondering if I might be able to mount a Vetter fairing on my R1150R. Winter time is coming on and Vetter fairings seem to be pretty available and cheap. (compared to buying an RT, ST, LT or any other *T, with better wind protection.)

Anyone ever tried this? Got a good fairing sitting around you'll take an arm or leg for. (I have too much invested in my first born so don't ask)

Any input would be welcome, positive and negative. Do it here or PM me!
Thanks

dallara · Post by **dallara** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:58 am

A Vetter Windjammer???

*** NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!! ***

(Picture Dallara running away with his hands in the air screaming "No, no, noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!)

Please don't do this, Kevin! Please, please, PLEASE!

I can't begin to imagine what one of those ugly Windjammers would look like on an R-1150-R...

Makes me cringe...

Cheers!

Dallara

dickhein · Post by **dickhein** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:36 am

I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some of us love the 1150R in spite of it's looks.

One thing with a vetter is that you'd have to give up an excellent headlight.

BobFV1 · Post by **BobFV1** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:15 am

They still make Vetter fairings? I had a Vindicator on a bike of mine over 20 years ago! They looked good then but unless they have restyled - I think it would be butt-heinous ugly on an R.

Paul Mihalka · Post by **Paul Mihalka** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:36 pm

Yes, it would be ugly - so what? The R1150R headlight would transfer into the Windjammer - that's the way it was with the /5-6-7 BMW bikes.
Biggest problem will be to build a mounting bracket. There are no accesible frame tubes on the Beakster like on the old bikes. Also, that fairing is HEAVY. You might need a shock with a heavier capacity spring. It sure would give you winter protection and would be very unique!

dallara · Post by **dallara** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:07 pm

Anything can be done... You could probably fabricate and intricate bracket that could mount much like some of the large crashbar sets, etc.

However, the headlight won't go... Vetter used a standard 7" headlight bucket that accepted existing lights off your bike, but the R-1150-R has a odd sized 7-7/8" headlight that is a one-off...

Ask me how I know, after trying to no avail all over the country to find some sort of replacement for the R-1150-R's Bosch headlamp... I think the R-1150-R has one of the worst beam patterns I've ever encountered, and I tried Hella, Raybrig, Stanley, Bosch, etc. trying to find a replacement with no luck.

That said, 7" headlamps are easy to find, and that's what fits the Vetter.

I used to sell literally hundreds of Vetter Windjammers a year out of my Honda shop... That is until the Gold Wing Interstate came along and Hondaline fairings for other models...

Cheers!

Dallara

beemerphile · Post by **beemerphile** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:30 pm

If you need a serious fairing for an R1150R, try the Hannigan ST. It is a classic addition to BMW's, looks great, and works. - Lee

Post by **new2BMW** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:15 pm

I can't begin to imagine what one of those ugly Windjammers would look like on an R-1150-R...

Dallara,
I think the problem is that you can imagine it. That's why you are running away screaming. (With me right behind you! (I'm not very fast on foot!))

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:32 pm

Uh, is this a serious question? Well, I guess so. I'd have to agree that the Vetter fairing is one of the least attractive options out there. I mean, it is soooooo '70's! Sorry, just my opinion.

Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. What else explains America's fascination with Jessica Simpson? (Great legs, so-so face).

Post by **machew01** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:32 am

Kevin, you do whatever you want to do. I know you'll do a good job. Just don't let it fall on you!

mac

Airman1 · Post by **Airman1** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:53 am

I saw a picture of an RR with an R100RS fairing complete with lowers. It looked good, but the guy said there was a lot of fabtication to it and it was not for the unskilled modifier.
It was one of the best conversions I've ever seen though.

Kevin50r · Post by **Kevin50r** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:02 pm

Hey, I would like to thank all you guys for your input. I don't really know how it would look but the fabrication doesn't bother me, if I decide to go that route. Who knows at this point but I thought it might be a fun project. If I do you can bet I'll have someone post some pictures for me with a warning for those who can't stand the thought of it.

Kevin

BobFV1 · Post by **BobFV1** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:12 pm

Kevin50r wrote:Hey, I would like to thank all you guys for your input. I don't really know how it would look but the fabrication doesn't bother me, if I decide to go that route. Who knows at this point but I thought it might be a fun project. If I do you can bet I'll have someone post some pictures for me with a warning for those who can't stand the thought of it.

Kevin

Hey Kevin - I would love to see it. It probably would look better than that silly fairing on the current ST!

dallara · Post by **dallara** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:20 pm

BobFV1 said:

Hey Kevin - I would love to see it. It probably would look better than that silly fairing on the current ST!

Certainly would a better looking headlight than an ST...

Cheers!

Dallara

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:46 pm

Hey, big D the only way that you will see the head lights on my ST will be when it is parked this weekend at Big Bend.........................

You will enjoy a nice view of my tail lights, how ever.................

Post by **Deans BMW** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:48 pm

Geez, the guest above is me....................

dallara · Post by **dallara** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:23 pm

Dean, Dean, Dean...

Hey, big D the only way that you will see the head lights on my ST will be when it is parked this weekend at Big Bend.........................

You will enjoy a nice view of my tail lights, how ever.................

Trash talkin' already, eh?

Geez... Here I got my tired, old 2002 R-1150-R Roadster with worn tires and a blind rider, going up against your new-fangled (and modified) "Wehrmacht Wonder Weapon" R-1200-ST complete with fresh rubber and your miles of experience...

And yet you will be the first person in history to get a third-degree sunburn from an LED taillight cuz' you'll be behind me for three days... That is if you can keep me in sight...

Cheers!

Dallara

Post by **Deans BMW** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:00 pm

OH YEA,

YUR MOMA WEARS COMBAT BOOTS.............................................

Bry · Post by **Bry** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:19 pm

BobFV1 wrote:
Kevin50r wrote:Hey, I would like to thank all you guys for your input. I don't really know how it would look but the fabrication doesn't bother me, if I decide to go that route. Who knows at this point but I thought it might be a fun project. If I do you can bet I'll have someone post some pictures for me with a warning for those who can't stand the thought of it.

Kevin
Hey Kevin - I would love to see it. It probably would look better than that silly fairing on the current ST!

I KNEW IT! halfway through reading the post of Dallara's running away screaming, I thought someone will dig at the ST!.....

Bry

BobFV1 · Post by **BobFV1** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:37 pm

Bry wrote:I KNEW IT! halfway through reading the post of Dallara's running away screaming, I thought someone will dig at the ST!.....
Bry

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury - I offer you exhibits a and b - you decide which one is more butt-heinous:

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