If you put that cafe fairing on it will look sweet. If you can do it without dorking with the bars even better. Course then you'll have to rethink the seat.....
Restoring & Modifying 1971 OIF TR120
- Thread starter NM Bonny
- Start date
Help Support Triumph Motorcycle Forum:
Most of those fairing mods seem to require clip-on handle bars. That’s one reason the Thruxton was a natural candidate.
Very helpful, thank you. Yes, you're right that even if I were to paint it to match my sheet metal (I've got the custom mix code), it's far easier to scuff with 600 grit than polish--as my experience on various parts has shown in this thread!
It looks like you chose a different style fairing, which is a great look on your bike. But I think for my '70s bike the Ducati replica matches the lines better. A touch smaller and rounder, maybe...?
I'm anticipating having to modify the mounts--and if it won't work ultimately could even end up trimming it and making a 1/4 handlebar/triple tree-mount fairing (like I had on my old Honda 550 4cyl).
But I'll bet I could make it work--and your experience suggests lots of tips. Thanks very much.
Yeah, it's possible that the flat bar would work--but guess we'll see, 'cause I'm getting the fairing.
I want to see how it looks with the stock fender. Lots of guys had that look in the '70s--fairing plus stock fenders and of course I could always trim the rear fender and refinish the end, blend the paint, etc. But there's something about a mixture of stock and custom mods that appeals to me--and it's easier to go slow and make one adjustment at a time than to undo stuff.
A slightly lower seat would mean less forward lean with any given bar, so for sure that's one of the 'try it and see' steps, I think. I do want to be able to take half-day and full-day jaunts on this bike, so too thin ain't gonna cut it.
I just ordered a new sewing machine that will handle light leather, so certainly the vinyl fabrics used on seat covers. So I'd probably consider forming my own aluminum seat pan and sewing a custom cover with dual-layer foam--but again, that may well be an intermediate step, retaining the stock fender. See the attached photo (but sans fairing). He's got the same fender and tail light combo I've got.
Kevin had mentioned some rear-set possibilities, but if no longer available or just not my bag, I might roll my own rear-sets if I felt that pegs needed to shift backward a bit--yet another 'proceed slowly' step...
Attachments
Yes, you've got bigger cutouts. However, I can trim the cutouts on the Ducati fairing a little (bottom of the opening, not the top) without altering the aesthetic or integrity.
I think the challenge would--will--be fun.
My Thuxton has clip-ons, but if I went the 1/2 fairing rout I'd have to put on lower clip-ons to clear the fairing. That's why I went 1/4 fairing so I didn't have to lean over more than I already do and don't have to worry about intererence from the fairing. I also try to sit more upright so the weight stays off the wrists.
Check the fairing frame, on mine it sits pretty close to the cutout edges. Anything can be done and I’ve bought a few parts that I ended up modding heavily to make them work on mine. The fairing was pretty much ok, but it was meant to be. Did find a few items that needed work that they did not mention though on the fairing project. That is half the fun though.
Your 1/4 fairing is similar to the one I fitted to my CB550 back in the day: no swept back lower portion at all. The way it sat on the CB, I just used flat bars (they used to call them 'super bike' bars) and it was fine. It looks like your stepped-up clip-ons are right about where my flat bar would sit, maybe just slightly lower.
I've reconsidered enlarging the headlamp cutout but asked the owner, Markus, a different question, re: the inner lateral dimensions because my tank is the U.S.-spec wider version (something like 3+ gallons - see bird's eye view). They show the inner dimensions on the other 1/2 fairings but couldn't find them for the air-cooled Triumph/Ducati replica.
As I've said, if it'll fit--but for the bars issue and minor amendments to their mounting system, which is within my modest welding abilities--I may just order it, as it's easily resold if I don't want it. But I could indeed make a very cool 1/4 out of it, too...
What fun this stuff is...
Attachments
If you’re willing to tinker anything is possible. Looking forward to seeing the project develop. I think the Omega fairings are fabulous and would fit your motorcycle perfectly. I didn’t mean to discourage you by any means simply wanted to let you know there will be tweeks. LoL.
Oh, no worries. I didn't take it that way.
Yes, I read your thread and it definitely looks like a 'feel your way along' project. But that's half the fun! BTW I like the idea of a two-up seat, so if I go with this fairing, it'll be one thing at a time. I have a nice tail trunk that nestles over the passenger portion nicely, it'd be a shame to lose that stowage for errands and camping.
Would you be good enough to let me know what brand of clip-ons those are? I'm going to try to get away with the flat bar--if necessary, rotated with the slight bend angling the grips downward. But if need be, it'd be nice to have the flexibility of 'riser' clip-ons like yours.
Of course, they'd have to come in a fork tube size that's a bit smaller, as I assume yours are 41mm...?
Well, I consulted some more with Omega's owner Markus, who had steered me toward the Kawasaki 'W' fairing when I sent him my tank's dimensions. However, a bit more back-and-forth revealed that the dimensions are very similar across their 1/2 fairings--and I really like the lines of the Ducati replica. So, that's what I ordered.
This means undoing some of the work I did up front--like retro-fitting the OEM headlamp bucket with a really cool LED spot that isn't dependent on the (awful) 'pre-focus' reflector. But that'll be still more nice stuff for whoever might be restoring a '71-'72 Bonny to stork form.
This means undoing some of the work I did up front--like retro-fitting the OEM headlamp bucket with a really cool LED spot that isn't dependent on the (awful) 'pre-focus' reflector. But that'll be still more nice stuff for whoever might be restoring a '71-'72 Bonny to stork form.
If you’re willing to tinker, you might be able to bend bars enough to get them to work. Once you have a rough install of the fairing you can move the steering side to side and see what needs to be done. It’s likely not something that you can estimate until actually working on it.
I’m looking forward to seeing the mods you need to do. It’s going to be exciting!
Those are Triumph's stock clip-ons for 43MM Showa fork tubes.
Part numbers are T2041283 and T2041284 for RH and LH risers. The handlebar tubes look like 22.2mm outside diameter per the parts diagram.
A good source for clip-ons with various riser heights and fork tube diameters:
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle...So6FhCALsgR578T62FSwqgwq48geA7VBoCVd8QAvD_BwE
Me? Willing to tinker? Nah...
You may not be willing but I think you will. LoL.
I'm excited about it, too. It's a shift from the un-faired, slightly modified OIF daily rider I had envisioned originally, but should still have an understated, visually balanced '70s look with the 'mist blue metallic' paint and polished aluminum scheme.
As I've said above, I think it'll be handsome with polished side-covers (but better get to those before the fairing shows up).
I'm thinking the way to begin once it arrives will be:
1) remove the existing, low-rise Triumph bars and headlamp (shouldn't have to unseal the brake line on the master, just hang it from something);
2) pivot the gauge mounts inward (we'll see whether I want to make up a custom aluminum dash for the OEM gauges from the stuff left over from the side-covers, or just a little affair for the warning lights since I'll no longer use the OEM headlamp housing--perhaps LED versions to match my LED gauge illumination);
3) hold the fairing in position to see how high I can get it before the rearward portions &/or mount arms contact the underside of the tank;
4) determine what tweaks the mounts will need to achieve the position in Step 3;
5) return to the handlebar decision.
Luckily, the changes to the wiring will be minimal, as the loom is done but for hooking up the 3-phase alternator when that goes in...
Thank for this. Wow... them are some big fork tubes. My bike's are 35mm.
I'll check out Revzilla's offerings--but still holding out a faint hope that I'll be able to use my P-clamps and a single bar. We'll see in a few weeks when the fairing arrives...
My Bobber's Showa forks are 47mm, so 43 is pretty much medium. I think they do make those clip-ons for 35mm tubes, so good luck with the fairing project.
