Anyone tried to mount a Vetter Fairing on the newer Magna?

[John Brunken]

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

[kdf9511]

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.

[John Brunken]

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

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

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

[MagnaMan]

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.

[John Brunken]

I think there's another NOS red Magna tank on ebay at the moment. You could start there! (That's what I did!)

[John Brunken]

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?

[kdf9511]

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.

[John Brunken]

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

[kdf9511]

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....

[kdf9511]

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.

[John Brunken]

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

[kdf9511]

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.

[John Brunken]

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

[kdf9511]

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.