I would like to try to fabricate a Vetter Fairing mount for my '99 Magna, and I'm sure I can make sometime work. But, I've been wondering if another member may have tried this? Maybe know of an existing mount that can be used on a Magna from another bike? Any other suggestions or warnings that anyone might like to offer before I dive into this? Thanks!
John, I am in the midst of this same project for my '84. I just managed to score a set of mounts on ebay the other day. As soon as they are here I will get you some pics. They stoped making mounts for Vetters in '85 so there won't be any type of mount that you can buy unless it was custom fabed. I would think the the ones from the 1st gen would give you a good place to start this project. They look a little diffrent than most Vetter mounts I have seen to get around the radaiator.
I asked a while ago over on the bbs if anyone had done this and someone sent me this pic of a Vetter on a 3rd gen. Hope this helps some.
(http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/7571/29ee.png)
Here you go John. These are like the ones I have headed my way that are for the 1st gen Maggies. You should be able to fab up something simalr for the 3rd gen to be able to get around the radiator.
(http://manuals.homeftp.net/Pictures/Magna%20750/VetterMtV45Mag01.jpg)
Thanks for the lead! If anyone recognizes the 3rd Gen Magna pictured above, I'd sure like to get in touch with the owner and ask him about his mounts. It would be great to find a bike with similar frame geometry that mounts were made for. I'm sure I could find some on the net somewhere if I just knew what to look for. Thanks for everyone's help! John
Look for one of the "cafe" style Magna Deluxe mini fairings you could use it as a base to build from.
John, I really like the color scheme of the bike. I assume the bags were painted as well? Can you tell me anything about that part?
Bob
The bags are LeatherLyke, but I sanded all of the texture off of the tops (lids) of the bags and painted them (using a plasticizer) with the matching Candy Glory Red paint. I bought the bike 2 years ago with only 1400 miles - a '99 model! I took the pumpkin-orange trim appliques off of the fender and swaped the tank for an NOS '95 tank that I found on eBay. This red Honda paint is the same as what they've used on recent VTX's and probably others too. I got the headlight casing from Xtreme Revolution (online), already in the matching VTX color. The windshield is Hondaline, also intended for a VTX, but I had to fabricate it's mounts from scratch, and reshape the lower windsheld lines. (easy with a coping saw and file!) Finally, I made an extension to push the headlight forward about 2 inches so it isn't buried under the windshield. The only reason that I've thought about a Vetter fairing is that I still get more wind noise and buffetting than I would really like, and I found a "mint" condition Vetter Windjammer SS on eBay. (I'm a sucker for eBay...I even bought the bike itself on eBay!) I've always liked the looks of the old Windjammer, so I thought "what the heck? I'll buy this really nice one and play with it to see if I can make it fit!" I may even be able to use the VTX headlight, and I still have plenty of the Candy Glory Red paint, so I can even match the fairing to the rest of the bike. I could wind-up with a mini-Goldwing! Anyway, I just like to play with these things...But, if someone's done it before, I don't need to reinvent the wheel! I'll look for a cafe style mount, like Greg suggested, and see if I can build a Vetter mount from there. I think I may try to add an upper mount right behing the headlight too, to keep from having too much aft moment on the lowers. I'm open for suggestions!
By the way.... You can't imagine how hard it was to start sanding the texture off of my brand new set of LeatherLyke bags! You really have to have faith! I forgot to mention it, but I added a mount point to each bag, extended from the liscense plate area of the rear fender frame to the lower rear corner of each bag. Now the bags sit perfectly straight up and down without sagging, and there is much less lateral flexibility! The basic mounts seemed way too wimpy, and this is an easy fix. I'd be glad to post a pic if anyone is interested. John
Yes, post some picture. I agree they look droopy unless I have the straps pulled tight to lift the bags up.
Not really sure what the Deluxe Fairing mounts will do for you. They only consist of a small mounting bracket on either side of the headlight and one below the headlight. While they are fine for the small Deluxe cowl (I have one) they would be (IMHO) way too small and lightweight for a big Vetter fairing.
Also, looking at that picture of the Gen 3 with the Vetter, the forks turn independently inside the Vetter. The Deluxe mounts go on the underside of the top triple tree so they turn with the forks so they would be basically useless.
John, if your major goal is to get rid of the buffeting try working your mounts so the shield leans back to match that of the fork line. I did this on my 96 and it made a huge difference in the Home Depot paint mixer conditions I was experiencing.
I believe as Jimmy said the cafe mount is going to be very small but would give you a mounting pattern to adapt and build a new stronger unit if you go with the Vetter.
John, where are you located? You are more than welcome to come over some time and check out the mounts once I get them in if you are neer the Houston area. I looked at that 3rd get pic a bit closer and the mounts looked the same. We can even hold em up to your bike and see how they fit.
Quote from: Greg CothernI believe as Jimmy said the cafe mount is going to be very small but would give you a mounting pattern to adapt and build a new stronger unit if you go with the Vetter.
Like I said, I doubt the stock mounts would be of any use since the forks turn independent inside the Vetter housing. Any kind of mount is going to have to be directly on the frame and/or downtubes.
Jimmy you are correct, forgot about the Vetter being stationary and the cafe turning with the forks.
I am useless lately!
Well give things an hour and they will change. I might have these mounts up for sale to John soon. I have a line on a Vetter Rooster right now. This isn't like the windjammer but mounts to the bars and headlight bracket. Have to wait and see what happenes. I loved the Windjammer I had on my old CB450 so I don't know yet.
I live between Dallas and Fort Worth, near DFW airport... not too close to Houston! But, I just might be interested in those Vetter mounts if you decide to part with them! I'm sure it would be better than starting from scratch! John
I will let you know. I got them in an ebay auction and then got a line on a Vetter Rooster. I havent decided on exactly witch way I am going to go with this yet.
Luke asked to see how I braced my LeatherLyke bags, so here are a few pics. Basically, I took a 1 inch x 1/8 steel strap and bent it to this shape and mounted it behind my license plate. One of the pics show the inboard side of one of the bags with a small grommetted hole at the bottom rear. I simply tighten the bag to the brace with a wingnut....pretty simple, but it makes the bags behave much better. They are straight up and down, and they don't waggle back and forth. They are solid. I hope the pics are self explanatory! If not, ask me some more.... John
Good pictures, John, as well as a good idea.
I still can't get over how good that red looks!!! I am so hooked on that color!
Bob
Bob. You're not thinking of repainting the pumpkin are you? :)
Just think about how good your bags would look with matching black/orange (excuse me, italian red) accents.
I think there's another NOS red Magna tank on ebay at the moment. You could start there! (That's what I did!)
OK... Now I'm pleading! I know Vetters have been mounted on 3rd Gen Magnas! Could there be an existing mount that snuggles up to the Magna frame, or does everybody reckon that I'll have to get out the welding torch? I can do it the easy way or the hard way, but I'd much rather do it the easy way! Any Vetter guys out there?
I think I am your only other Vetter guy here. I have had them on many of my previous bikes.
Good luck on finding a set of mounts. I have been looking since I got Val last year and have only seen two sets. Both on ebay. Kicked myself for missing the first set. The second is on the way now.
I know you are not going to find a set that is made specificaly for the 3rd gen as they stoped making them in 1985. When I get mine I will see how they will fit up to a 3rd gen if I can find a guinne pig here.
I will get you some better pics of the mounts and how the go on when I get them.
Now I got a question for you. Do you happen to know a good place to pick up the fairing? As you know I have the mounts comming but I don't have a fairing yet.
Kerry,
There's a Vetter Rooster Fairing on eBay right now, and the auction ends on Saturday. There's a Buy-it-Now price of $50.00 which is probably pretty good, considering the hassle of just finding one! I think this one was on a Suzuki or Yamaha, but they should all be alike, just like a Vetter Windjammer SS is the same for every bike.
And, thanks in advance for the Magna Windjammer mount research. I bought a nearly perfect fairing on eBay, and now I need to start designing or locating a mount! It needs to look at least as good as the bike does now. And as for my current windshield causing buffetting... It really doesn't buffet. I'd just like more wind protection... like the Windjammer fairings used to do!
John
I have seen that Rooster on ebay right now. It is in pretty bad shape. I have a line on one though. There was a guy last week who had an older Kaw on ebay with a Rooster. I asked him if he would sell the fairing seperate. He came back with if the bike doesn't sell he would consider it. Well it didn't, but then he said he was going to relist. So I am waiting to see what happens. This Rooster looks like brand new.
I am also watching a Windjammer V that is up on Ebay right now.
Still waiting for the mounts to arrive in the mail....
The wife called me this morning to tell me the fairng mounts arrived in the mail today. I should be able to get some pics and measurments off of them tonight.
Thanks Kerry. I really don't want to talk you into selling me your mounts. But, I would really like to know if there's an existing set that works with a 3G Magna. I've seen pictures of a GL1000 mount that look about right, but I'd much rather know for sure before I just start buying some! I appreciate all the effort you've given this! John
John, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you on this. I was taking a look at the frame on the 3rd gen the other day at the wrenching session. I don't think that the mounts I have will fit on the 3rd gen. The front downtubes on yours are bowed out. The ones on the 1st gen's are streight. There is also a tab on the brackets that goes to the front tank mount bolt that also isn't there on the first gen.
I am scheduled for traingin Nov 6-Nov 10 in Irving. Hopefuly I will have the bike there that week. I would be more than happy to get together with you some night that week and show you the mounts and setup on my bike. I should be able to find a good Windjammer by then.
Thanks Kerry, But I've already started fabriacating mounts. I've even had to move the radiator slightly down and forward, and I had to trim the back end of the fairing to slip back beneath the gas tank. As I studied it, there was no way for a simple bolt-on to work on this bike, and that must be why we don't see many of them. I think I've got a decent mount concept in mind (I design aircraft structure for a living), but it will definitely be a custom job! I should have some pictures to post in a week or two, but thanks for the offer! John
I got a deal on a Windjammer SS today. I should have it here next week and on the bike. I will post some pics as soon as I get it in.
Whoo Hoo...... Got a call at work from the wife to let me know there was a big box on the porch for me. My Vetter Windjammer SS showed up today. I can't wait to get home and put it on tonight before I ride from Houston to Leonard tomorrow.
I will have pics of it mounted by next week.
That's a pretty quick installation! I've been fabricating mount hardware, checking fit, designing parts, etc for my SS installation on my '99 for a couple of weeks. ...But, almost done! I still have to refit my VTX headlight to blend with the SS curves. (No, not using the Vetter headlight.) Also have to sort out all the wiring, and finally remove the fairing back off from the bike and paint it with the same matching candy-glory red paint as the tank and bags. I should have some pics up in about a week. It's been a real adventure that I can't recommend to anyone who doesn't enjoy custom installations. It definitely wasn't a bolt-on! John
I got lucky and found the correct mounts from Vetter for the 1st gen V45. The only thing I had to do was get some longer front tank mount bolts. The mounts took about 10 min total to put on. The wiring was pretty simple.
I did run into one hitch though. On the Vetter the running lights are tied together into one wire. If you plug this into one side of your harnes for the turn sigs when you hit the turn sigs you will loose the running light on the other side. What I did was make a Y cable to go from the Vetter harnes to the bike harnes. Only now when you hit the sigs it doesn't flash completely off, but you can still tell very well that it is flashing.
Here are a couple of pics.
One (http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/43c9f24az3be90d3f/a538re2/__sr_/85f8re2.jpg?phQEKGFBJNmASVs_)
Two (http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/43c9f24az3be90d3f/a538re2/__sr_/70a7re2.jpg?phQEKGFBAxcDAETy)
Have you thought about the fact that the factory kitted mounts hold that entire fairing and windshield to the bike frame with just a couple of hose clamps? I don't know of any history of them coming off, but just imagine if they did! You might want to think about some stainless U bolt clamps to back-up the hose clamps. I know I'd sleep a lot better and not have that on my mind while going down the highway! Anyway, just my 2 cents worth. I'll post some pics of mine as soon as I can! Good luck!
That is what I will eventualy do. My last Vetter had the U bolts and I was much more comfortable with how it was mounted. I used the hose clamps just because they are what I had and I was short on time. I do like how on these mounts have a tab that bolts to the front tank mounts. you cant see it in the pics though. I was actualy supprised when I went to Craig Vetter's website (http://www.craigvetter.com/) and looked at the original owners manual and saw that the hoseclamp is what was originaly supplyed with the mounts.
I promised I would post some pics of my Vetter installation once it was done.... so here is the almost finished product! I suppose the important thing to note here is that the mounting is entirely custom. I soon discovered that the fairing wouldn't go on to the normal position without droping the radiator down and forward about an inch. I think the first pic should show how I did that. I also added a mount right off of the top, between the forks, to react the huge drag forces of this big fairing. They say the original mounts were perfectly safe, but I have my doubts.... so here is my modification/addition. I took these in the glare of sunset, so some of the photos are hard to see detail in. Feel free to contact me if you want to undertake the same project... but be prepared to bend some iron!
Three more pics!
Last 2 pics!
Very nice. I like that. One queston, when you swaped out the stock bucket for the VTX bucket did you have to modify the fairing in any way? I have to do something on mine to get some more light.
I had to make a couple of mods to get the VTX headlight to fit. First, I had to cut-off about two inches from the rear of the VTX housing to get it to sit deep enough in the fairing to suit me. This took some real will power considering that I spent a couple of hundred bucks on that custom bucket! Second, I had to make a sheet metal mounting bracket and fasten it to the bucket to support the headlight. I didn't use any of the standard Vetter type mounting. If you'd like, I could try to get a few close-ups of that area. Oh... I also changed out the bulb to a brighter one. Another source of light could also be a couple of "driving lights" (like PIAA's) that mount on ther forks. Let me know if you need more details! And, thanks for the compliments!