Opinions Please

[Tom MLC]

When I sarted to look for a fairing for my '78 GS1000, I wanted something unique. I didn't want a traditional cafe style look. Nor did I want anything big & bulky. I wanted to complement the hot rod look.

I found both these fairings on ebay. I was the only bidder on both, and got them at a very good price. The red one is used, and has a few deep scratches in the "glass". I don't know the manufacturer. The smoked fairing is a Tracy Gauntlet, also used but in very good condition. With Tracy being out of business, I guess this unit could be considered rare.

So what do ya think? Keep in mind the turn sigs are not on yet. I'll hafta fab something to mount the sigs if I go with the red fairing.

 

[Tarbash 27]

The first one looks alot better, why not buy a cooley fairing? or is it too bulky?

 

[Tom MLC]

The first one looks alot better, why not buy a cooley fairing? or is it too bulky?

The Wes Cooley style looks good, but it's not unique. I just felt like I wanted something different. Thanks for the feedback. That's one vote for the red!

 

[Planecrazy]

On the one hand, the red fairing looks more like it fits the bike, but perhaps that's because its red color more closely blends with the bike itself.

On the other hand, the Tracy has a more unique look, and it is easier to service the headlight and turn signals than the other fairing. If you painted it red it would blend more naturally with the bike. Also, the Tracy will provide slightly better protection if the weather catches you off guard.

If unique is what you're most looking for then the Tracy is the better choice in my opinion. The red fairing looks very nice, but it is reminiscent of a "Cooley."

Regards,

 

[badbrown]

The red one is better. For other options you can look for a Buell flyscreen or a ducati monster fairing. Buell is the smllest one I've found on ebay. I passed up the National cycle F16 f18.

 

[Ogri]

Of the two you have posted, I think the red one looks better.

I have a Buell fly screen I would be willing to part with. If there is interest, send me a PM with an offer.

I also have a Rifle style fairing with a small windshield I need to sell.

 

[Tom MLC]

Never heard of a Rifle fairing. What's it look like? Probably not interested in buying. Just curious.

 

[Guest]

I like the red one better. It looks more period correct to me. The smoke fairing is nice, but looks a bit "Darth Vader-ish". The red one flows better with the bodylines of the bike. I think it will be more noticeable once you put the turn sigs on. My 2 cents.

 

[Guest]

BTW, did you have that red one painted, Tom? It looks like a great color match (at least in the pics).

 

[gsgeezer]

I like the first one, the second one doesn't fit the bike's looks, IMO.
I just put a bid on a viper fairing, on ebay. It is around $40.

I had a Maier but it finally cracked after all the years it was on.

 

[terbang]

The red one suits the styling and era of the bike..

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Red one mo betta.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I have a Buell fly screen I would be willing to part with. If there is interest, send me a PM with an offer.

I also have a Rifle style fairing with a small windshield I need to sell.

Any pics of the above on a 1000, or any model?

 

[akreider]

Definitly the first one, I am not usually of fan of the front fairings but that one really fits the bit well. IMO

 

[omaharj]

How do they affect the ride? I know this is the "Appearence" place,but I'm too big a fan of function not to be biased towards that. (At first glance the first one looks "more correct". The second one could grow on me) Try em both for three months and then decide. That's the luxury of owning both.:-D

 

[jimcor]

I think the red fairing was a Suzuki catalog item for the Bandit 400 4 cylinder model. I could be wrong.

I like the second one, but then I'm kinda fond of the Tracy mystique. I also think the second one will 'work' where the first looks cute.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

How do they affect the ride?

I have to wonder about that too. I've heard some small fairings/screens were blamed for high speed wobble on the 1000. Be sure to test for that if high speed is important.

 

[Tom MLC]

Thanks Bruce, your two cents is worth a lot to me. Yup, thats the color when I got it. In the ebay listing the red didn't look to be a close match. I lucked out on that one.

And thanks to everyone else who chimed in. I like the red one, too.

Scratching my head for the turn sigs, though. The two holes near the bottom come out at about a 30 degree forward angle. So I need something to take the sigs back to the perpendicular. Or I can cover those holes and bring the sigs through the curved slots in the sides. But they are about 4" lower than the holes in headlight brackets. Oh well, it's tinkerin' time.

 

[dpep]

In terms of the appearance, defintely the second one. The red one is too narrow relative to the width of the tank and the bars. It is trying to look like it is integrated into the lines of the bike but fails. The only thing it has in common with the rest of the bike is the color.

The second one does not pretend to be factory integrated, but its lines actually fit better with the bike. It also looks like it would be more practical for protection and easier to remove when you want to go without.

 

[Tom MLC]

The second one does not pretend to be factory integrated, but its lines actually fit better with the bike. It also looks like it would be more practical for protection and easier to remove when you want to go without.

You got that right, Don. The red one is a b*tch to get on because it mounts with the headlight bucket. Gotta hold everything together while I insert washers & spacers (custom). And the gasket arount the headlight hole kept popping off.

I don't think the red one was trying to look factory integrated. And yeah, I only went for it because of the color. The Tracy definately looks more practical. If the red one doesn't grow on me, I'll try the Tracy and see how it works.