2012 Vetter Challenger Build ( 1981 Yamaha SR185 streamliner)

[offalot]

Originally Posted by bschloop

I feel you there, I am pretty cheap myself. if you get the bike done inside your budget, maybe next year you can set up a small budget for bodywork. although, custom fairings are not cheap to build. My total project is pushing $1100 including the bike. I have been thinking about maybe refining this design to the point where I could set up tooling to make a few for those who might be interested, but I have a long way to go before that could happen. too bad you're not in MI or we could work together. two crazies could really do some damage

Oops, sorry been away for a little bit.
First off, congratulations on breaking the 100 mpg mark. Very encouraging. I'm sure you'll squeeze out a few more before the challenge.
I have a few ideas up my sleeve for the fairing in the future, ones that will keep the theme of the bike, but those will come next year. This isn't my only project, one of many.
As far as the rear shock. Yes it is the original rear swing arm. I was going to gusset it for lateral strength but I think it will hold up fine. Time will tell, I will abuse it a bit on its maiden runs.
I Fabricated mounts for the shock and welded them to the frame and swingarm. I used a ninja 250 mono shock that I got off ebay for $25 shipped. I hacked off the original rear frame section and welded on the rear triangle from one of my old BMX bikes. This wasn't your Kmart Huffy, it was a 4130 chromo dirt jumping bike so I had no worries about the strength.
As of now, probably because I didn't pre plan and mess with the geometry too much, the shock is too soft but I will work on stiffening it up once I can road test it.

Oh yeah and i agree, two heads are better then one. Well hell, at 100+ miles a gallon it should only take you a few bucks to get down here right?

[Grant-53]

If you are not wedded to the use of fiberglass then coroplast, sheet aluminum, Lexan, or a plastic/hex mesh laminate can be used to make a low cost fairing system. See the coroplast low&slow fairing.

[bschloop]

made a few mods to the tail, so the bike can be used to carry two people. My wife and I are going down to Louisville KY next weekend, and we want to take the bike. I now have a convertible aerobike.

[renault_megane_dci]

What is the power cord for ?

[redyaris]

let me guess.. wirering to the tail and signal lights?

[bschloop]

the electrical cord is a quick disconnect for the battery box. it allows me to take the tail off without having to undo battery bolts.

[bschloop]

We arrived safely in Kentucky, so far it looks like a total half trip average of close to 85mpg. we are sending back some of our luggage with my parents, so might hopefully see some improvement on the way home. the bike is right at it's max weight rating with myself, my wife, and all our clothes for the weekend, but it rode fairly well. especially since we rode the whole trip on rural highways, at 55mph. personally I find that preferable to sharing the road with semi trucks and crazy pickups intent on going 100mph. we might use a little more freeway on the way home, since we only have one day to get there, and 460mi to go.

[sendler]

That is really great that you can still ride two up on the bike. Enjoy your trip.

[bschloop]

thanks, It's been pretty fun so far.

[offalot]

Yeah, i think yours proves to be a bit more real-world useful then mine. I take it, with the wife on board you were traveling sans fairing? Or can your fairing accommodate two people? Bythe way what is the top speed you have seen with this thing?