K, hey all! Droppin by to post up my 2nd project this month. First of all, I just jumped right into this one... after modding my 2011 Fiesta and just scrapping by a few more MPG's than this bike, i knew i needed to do something!! lol
SO... To work I went!!
Started off buying another 4'x8' sheet of coroplast, and all done within 3-4hrs on a blistery tuesday afternoon(my back still feels it!, sunburn), had a rough idea in my head and just rolled with it.
First off, i drive this thing as long as its running! in almost every weather condition possible.
On to the bike...
A Standard 1982 Suzuki GS1100GL (8valve DOHC, D series motor) 5speed "shafty" Air cooled..
Main focuses for the fairing:
1.Decrease drag
2.Increase stability at high speed (I am not a squid)
3.Keep me dry as much as possible (rain suit either way)
4.Keep me warm (over achieving here)
5.Keep 2-up riding capability (yup)
6. ...Forgot this one
7. ...and this one too
When i bought it last summer
Rebuilt carbs over winter, adjusted accordingly, a little lean on mixture screws
Rebuilt forks. Changed to Superbike handlebar -6" heigt. Painted Lower fork tubes, wheel and disk rotors. Also rebuilt Break Calipers.
Cut 2"x1/2" woodstock and zip-tied to points on frame for Coro anchor points.(3 points used)
Cut out 22" high x 4' wide section of Coro wrapped around exhaust and engine.
Once anchored with the desired bend radius, I then trimmed the opening in the front for cooling. Also trimmed away the sides for my riding position. Legs tuck just behind the panel completely getting rid of any drag from my legs, my feet stick out from underneath the panel still causing drag.(better pics below)
Mounting bracket for the front for an earlier "Vetter" styled fairing. Secured with zip-ties around the forks.
Cut Coro panel to be made for the "Vetter" fairing. Once anchored was then trimmed for desired shape? Used woodstock for upper anchor points again zip-tied. Yeah i could of done better
Got Boattail?!
Ok, so heres where the fun began!
No idea in the world of shape, distance or width/angles to do for this, considering it isn't(me thinks
) a consistant flow from the forward fairings. Considering I wanted to continue to be able to 2-up ride.
Started off by reducing weight and removed the center stand(cant get it on it anyways, not doing me any good. 145lbs vs. 660lbs=not gonna happen
)
Cut out a small belly piece to go in front of the rear tire to close that space off.
Worked on the sides, little trimming needed around the shock bolt and turn signal and left over hanging under the exhaust line.
Did the best i could to continue the boattail's ending point and distance beyond the rear tire.
ALL FOR NOW, will finish this post once i get home from work tonight!!!!
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EDIT: O-K... Home from work, nice and soaked! Saw it comin
So i believe ive failed at "Keeping dry"
, need to redo the front anyways for better flow/rain/water protection, as well as do a new front fender. Gettin a rooster tail from it straight up and into the helmet...
So back to pics
just a couple left...
Here is a side view. A good overall look with the Mid-fairing and the length added by the tail. I'd have to say, the mid-fairing works a bit too well in dry conditions. It gets a bit warm, and my shins tell me... So I know I may need to add a couple outlets for passing air OR cut away from the front opening for better cooling. I do plan to add an Oil-cooler to it soon. Pick-n-Pull will become my friend with that project!
And here's where the difficult part came in...
I hate having it like it is, but i had to keep the tail-light the way it was and came up with a solution for my license plate to stay under the "lighted" area...
Once this was done i was able to kinda work with what was left so i just added strips to the side of the light, creating a "channel" for air to flow through the 2 sections... would like to do a full height tail but will have to wait for now...
I certainly don't know if this was/is a good idea. Seemed it was better than nothing. Don't quite know about the upper section, if its even needed so ill leave it for now.
ALL of this work is held on by zip-ties, and can be takin off in less than 1 min... So easy on/off, just gotta keep zip-ties on me(which is a necessity for me anyways!
)
Anyways.... after 5 days and a few tanks later(w/2-up riding=15%), I've figured i've reached a 30% MPG Gain!!!!
(Control) Stock ~40mpg @ 70mph = 5th @ 4100 rpm (with tuck)
Faired ~53mpg @ 70mph(+/-5mph) = 5th @ ~3800 rpm (with tuck)
***I DO NOT have a WORKING Speedo!! So I cannot accurately track my miles, and I calculate Drive gear + RPM's = mph(+/-5mph with fairing)***
I have been using Google Ear*h for my distance calculations(from home to work/back + an afternoon ride with the Gf) 80% highway...
I know for sure there is potential for greater numbers!