Topic: To Windjammer or not....? Opinions

[frenchy51]

I'm a new member with a new to me '76 CB750F. I did my introduction in the New Member forum showing my WindJammer equipped ride. I've had some back and forth discussion on rather to keep the fairing on or remove it. Some say my bike will handle much better with it off? I can't decide-on or off? I like the comfort of it but I've never ridden it with it off....What are your thoughts? Should it stay or should it go?

[dhall57]

One again very nice original super sport frenchy and it looks ok with the Windjammer. I myself just like the cleaner look of these old 70's Honda's without added fairings, bags, etc.

[jlh3rd]

they were the thing to have back in the day. Being a frame mounted fairing made it a steadier ride compared to handle bar mounted fairings. I liked having one on my 550F in 1976. It didn't hurt handling at least to me...from what i can remember from 43 years ago. Personally, it's a cool, retro, vintage look and blocks the wind allowing longer ride times. ( age related) butif you take it off, save it. That a nice bike no matter what.....so it depends on you.

[Low-side2]

If you are taking a lot of long trips, you may want to keep it for comfort.  If you are normally taking shorter trips or riding at lower speeds they really don't help that much.  Handling wise, they add a little less than 20 pounds pretty high on the bike.  It would certainly look better without it. 
     Personally, I'd remove it and get a removable handlebar mounted fairing if you miss the protection.

[seanbarney41]

I am curious about how much weight those things really add altogether.  I remember helping a buddy service his bike, helping move it out of the way, and I was amazed at how light the main fairing was.  Of course, that was just the bare front fairing, no mount brackets, etc.

Same buddy amazed me again when it started to rain and he would not get wet...his bike had the lowers as well

[sammermpc]

Generally, I've found having a windjammer great for longer rides. You take way less of a beating and it provides a lot more coverage and stability than a handlebar mount. Makes a huge difference having it mounted to the frame (I've found).

For day-trips and riding around town, though, I prefer the slimmer profile. I recently removed the jammer fairing (had lowers too) I'd had on my CB500 for the last few years. I found the whole set-up annoying, also, for messing around with the valve covers or the electrics in the headlight bucket.

[Bankerdanny]

I had a Windjammer SS on my '77 Goldwing and it made for a very comfortable highway ride. They aren't very heavy and I don't think add a lot of weight even factoring in the bracket, which is not large. It does trap heat though and when just riding around town I would rather it had not been there.

I've been on four 1,000+ mile trips since 2011, 3 on SOHC4 bikes and one on the GL. 2 of the SOHC4 trips (including a 4,700 miler) were on 550's where I just used a small windshield that I fitted up just for the trip. My most recent trip was 1200 miles earlier this year on my 750F1. For this trip I used a small cafe style fairing. The Vetter certainly provided the best protection, but of the 3 options the small fairing on the 750 is my favorite. It doesn't dominate the bike like the Vetter and provides just enough wind protection so that long trips on the highway are comfortable with the wind directed just over my shoulders.

So in my opinion, unless you use your bike for lots of highway riding, I would remove the Vetter and find something smaller to take its place.

[754]

Have you rode much before ?
 Myself I don't like a windshield m nor do I wear a facesheild, even if it's 40 degrees or colder. But I am protected by beard.

[Tracksnblades1]

Looks nice......but your super sport is begging you to release that emergency brake just once to let her run....😃.  The jammer is pretty nice if your living on the bike. It seems to magnify the engine's top end noises very well.😩

Do you have all the OEM parts to put it back to stock...?

[MauiK3]

At one point I had one many years ago, it worked fine but I think they are just too big for the bike.

[Stev-o]

Since you are asking for opinions, that thing is ugly, take it off.

I bought a K5 a few years ago with one on, first thing I did was take it off and trash it.

[ekpent]

 I'm in the take it off camp and trying to keep it all stock. Just depends on what you want to do on the bike though. If you take it off you may have to scrounge up a nice headlight bucket and possibly the frame that supports/mounts it with the integrated turn signal mounts. Also be some spliced wired that will need sealing.Can't tell what parts you need in that picture.
 Here is an F before and after. I also have tossed many Vetters that came of K bikes also 

[frenchy51]

I've decided since I don't do much long distance touring anymore that it's coming off. (I can always put it back on). My problem is I don't have the parts that were taken off. Anybody know what all I need? I don't want to remove it until I have the parts in hand to keep riding. The original headlight bucket is there but no lens or chrome retainer ring. I can see a bunch of wires bundled inside the housing. I think I'll also need reflectors that were on the sides of the headlight? And I'll need turn signals. How did the turn signals attach?  To the forks with some sort of clamp? If they had some sort of bracket, I'll need that. I've googled photos and can't tell. Anybody taken a Jammer off and know what else I might need? Once I figure out what I need I'll advertise in the wanted section or is everything I need available new? Quality?  Thanks one and all.
PS-When all is done I think I'll probably install a smaller handlebar clamp windscreen.

[Tracksnblades1]

I've decided since I don't do much long distance touring anymore that it's coming off. (I can always put it back on). My problem is I don't have the parts that were taken off. Anybody know what all I need? I don't want to remove it until I have the parts in hand to keep riding. The original headlight bucket is there but no lens or chrome retainer ring. I can see a bunch of wires bundled inside the housing. I think I'll also need reflectors that were on the sides of the headlight? And I'll need turn signals. How did the turn signals attach?  To the forks with some sort of clamp? If they had some sort of bracket, I'll need that. I've googled photos and can't tell. Anybody taken a Jammer off and know what else I might need? Once I figure out what I need I'll advertise in the wanted section or is everything I need available new? Quality?  Thanks one and all.
PS-When all is done I think I'll probably install a smaller handlebar clamp windscreen.

The F0/F1 head light/turn signal bracket is one off. The f2/F3 are similar to K models.
The F1 turn signal bracket were usually bent if someone laid it over or dropped them

Banker Danny has posted the difference in more detail in the past I believe.
Watch that guy though he has a internet quote that my 12year old god child caught.😂

[HondaMan]

Those who know me also know my opinion of the 'Jammer.
Behind the 'Jammer I found I could ride back-to-back-to-back-to-back 1000 mile days with 2-up and gear, and at the end of the day enjoy diving into a pool or building a camp for the night. Left IL one hot July day: at the end of 9 days we had covered 6870+ miles, ridden Colorado north-to-south in the Rockies, then hiked to the bottom (and back) of the Grand Canyon, toured the AZ Meteor Crater, then Colorado again south-to-middle on the way back, then crossed Kansas to the middle of MO to fish a day, then back to central IL.

Before the 'Jammer, a 500-to700-mile day left me looking for Jim Beam and feeling blown to bits.

Twice my bike was flipped out from underneath me (second time on the trip mentioned above), with the 'Jammer aboard. Once it shattered the 'Jammer", but only the right-upper muffler pipe was scrunched a little. The other time (in CO) it only received a scratched-up alternator (bottom side) cover (it is still on the bike).

A third time, I found my bike lying fully on its right side in the apartment parking lot one morning, from a drunken neighbor pulling his car in too close to my bike. The only damage was to the rubber twistgrip and the edge of the Vetter.

Before the Vetter I typically logged 8k-10k miles per year. With the Vetter, a 20k mile year was a real slacker.

My 'Jammer is as much a part of my 750 as the twistgrip, and it only goes out so adorned.

'Vetters forever!

[frenchy51]

Thanks HondaMan.....I may reconsider.

[Ace Blackwell]

My 550F came with a Vetter fairing.  I bought the bike used.  It was great for the protection and the added storage.  Came with AM/FM 8Track.  LOL it was dated even then.  Unlike some of the guys on here, mine did affect the handling, mainly on back road curves.  It caused the back of the bike to slightly sway or fish tale feeling.  Not enough to actually slide but I could feel the sway.  It could have been just the set up or something else on the bike.  All I know is it went away when I removed the fairing.

Still for the sake of comfort, when I get back up and running, I'm looking to putting on one of the clear shield fairing like bankerdanny's blue 550. 

Good luck

[Don R]

 I have a 78 gl1000 with a jammer. I love it around town and long rides. My 750's don't have one, only because I use the gl for 2 up and long rides 750's for short squirts around town and bike shows. I remember there was something about no handlebar mount large fairings on 750F's. It seems like mine had a sticker on it.
 These days windjammers are not so popular and the removal of one adds to resale value of the bike.

[ekpent]

  The turn signals mount on the metal frame that the headlight bucket mounts to. The thing though you have to check is to see if the metal tubes on that frame where the signals mount was sawed of to make clearance for the fairing. The side reflectors and rubber dampers are part of the headlight securing system and can still be bought on E-bay.
  Here is a picture of a NOS frame currently on E-bay to compare to what you have.

[pjlogue]

I purchased a Windjammer last spring for my GL1000.  They were the bee's knees back in the 70's and I always wanted one.  I bought one off e-bay. It is almost in mint condition.  My thought was to be able to extend my riding season at both ends of the season.  In CNY winters are long and cold and the jammer extends the season for me ~4-6 weeks on either side of winter.  I liked it enough to buy a mounting bracket for my '76 CB 750.  Mounting/unmounting is fairly quick.  I was able to keep all the headlight stuff intact and just had to remove the front turn signals.  ~30 min of work to swap it back and forth.  It's great for cutting down wind fatigue/ noise and cold.  The only drawback is in the summer it can get toasty behind the faring. 

-P.

[frenchy51]

In looking from underneath my Fairing I can see that I still have the original headlight bucket with no bulb or chrome retainer etc. Under the headlight is just a hollow tube where the one in your picture is. Mine is shorter than the one in your picture and is about even with the barstock that it is attached to. Mine doesn't have the mushroom ends on it. Maybe it was shortened when the fairing was installed?

[ekpent]

In looking from underneath my Fairing I can see that I still have the original headlight bucket with no bulb or chrome retainer etc. Under the headlight is just a hollow tube where the one in your picture is. Mine is shorter than the one in your picture and is about even with the barstock that it is attached to. Mine doesn't have the mushroom ends on it. Maybe it was shortened when the fairing was installed?

  There is a very good chance that it may have been whacked down. As mentioned those brackets are a two year only part and nothing else ever used it so if you see one for sale that's not bent or bad grab it if you need it. The headlight and chrome beauty ring and associated parts are pretty easy to source since I think they are the same as the K model even though the F headlight bucket is different then the K's.

[Bankerdanny]

Your picture is too dark for me to see, but as Eric posted above, the F0/F1 bikes used a combination headlight mount/turn signal bracket thingy. At the very least the turn signal part has been cut off. Those stupid brackets are a pain to find and aren't cheap. However, you should be able to adapt standard fork ears.

[Ace Blackwell]

It might be different with my 77 550F or maybe the Vetter fairing but change over was pretty simple. The brackets mounted to the frame. I removed the turn signals and light bucket . I swiveled the light bucket ears inboard and the fairing mounted fine.  I didn’t have any interference.

It’s been years but if I remember correctly, when driving at slower speeds on back roads, it was irritating that the light didn’t follow front tire but stayed straight with body.

Ace

[Bankerdanny]

It might be different with my 77 550F or maybe the Vetter fairing but change over was pretty simple. The brackets mounted to the frame. I removed the turn signals and light bucket . I swiveled the light bucket ears inboard and the fairing mounted fine.  I didn’t have any interference.

It’s been years but if I remember correctly, when driving at slower speeds on back roads, it was irritating that the light didn’t follow front tire but stayed straight with body.

Ace

The 75 and 76 750F models use a one piece bracket for the headlight ears and turn signal stalks that fits into holes in the upper and lower triple, rather than ears that slide over the fork tubes like every other SOHC4. In 1977 the F2 model got regular chrome ears.

[frenchy51]

I'm sure you've all been on pins and needles waiting for my decision---I've decided the Jammer is becoming wall art. I had to take it off to weld up the bracket that was cracked. So I took it for a ride naked (the bike-not me). I couldn't get the smile off my face. More fun to ride. Handles better, sounds better, looks better. I have a halogen headlight coming and turn signals that I'll attach somehow. Thanks for all the opinions-love this forum!

[Stev-o]

Good decision!

[Kelly E]

The 75 and 76 750F models use a one piece bracket for the headlight ears and turn signal stalks that fits into holes in the upper and lower triple, rather than ears that slide over the fork tubes like every other SOHC4. In 1977 the F2 model got regular chrome ears.
[/quote]

The 75' 400 Four that I did also has a one piece bracket for the headlight and turn signals.

[Don R]

 The 400F has the bracket for the headlights too.

[Bankerdanny]

The 75 and 76 750F models use a one piece bracket for the headlight ears and turn signal stalks that fits into holes in the upper and lower triple, rather than ears that slide over the fork tubes like every other SOHC4. In 1977 the F2 model got regular chrome ears.

The 75' 400 Four that I did also has a one piece bracket for the headlight and turn signals.
[/quote]

Interesting, I didn't know that. I'll have to pay closer attention to the next 400F I see.

[jakec]

PART 472

[ofreen]

Those who know me also know my opinion of the 'Jammer.

You and I have been the most consistent defenders of the Windjammer on here, I think.  The Windjammer SS went on my 750F in the winter of '77-'78 during the gas shortage and the long lines. They wouldn't let you get gas in a can, and the bike got three times the mileage of my '62 Impala, so I filled the car tank up, parked it and siphoned out of it for the bike.  I was riding the bike back and forth to college and the weather was miserable, so I bought the fairing on sale at Hinshaw's Honda in Auburn, WA and had them install it.  It sure made the commute back and forth to school more pleasant in the sloppy PNW winter weather.  And I came to like not having bugs stuck to me everywhere I went in the summer, so it never came off.  Then I took the bike to Alaska where the Windjammer helped extend the way too short riding season.  I've used the bike for commuting as long as I've had it, riding as long as the road was ice free. 

The fairing was on there for 42 years until I took it off earlier this summer when I repaired the bike after we got hit by a pickup in July '18.  The bike landed heavily on its left side and slid.  Because of the fairing, the most serious damage was to the alternator case.  The trim on the fairing was gouged and the bracket bent.  There is no question the fairing saved the bike from more severe damage. 

When I getting was the bike back to riding condition I took the fairing and bracket off.  I dug the headlight, bracket and turn signals out of the cardboard box where they had been for over 40 years, still like new.  After all these years, riding without the fairing makes the bike seem like a totally different machine.  As much as I've appreciated the SS over the years, I doubt it will ever go back on.  I am not going to commute on the bike anymore, the increased traffic and idiot drivers makes it rather foolhardy.  I am enjoying the bike in its new (old) form, but I'll never regret having the Windjammer on there all those years.

[HondaMan]

I have the great privilege of riding these bikes both ways, mostly because mine has one and most that come to me don't. After I test-ride someone else's 750 on the freeway for 20 miles and then get back on mine, I smile because it's still there, since 1972. Heck, like you, Ofreen: mine was slammed from behind-right by a fast-moving GT750 in September 1972 (the bike was still new!) and it flipped mine out from under me: and like yours, all it got was some pavement rash on the alternator cover (still there) and bent exhaust pipes on the right side. That was the day that, if I had any doubts left about riding behind it, changed my mind - and for the last 46 years.

But, I do wish yours had protected your foot....

[ofreen]

Thanks for that, Mark.  I'll hang onto mine. Right now it sits in an honored spot on a shelf out in the shop wrapped in a couple of garbage bags.  I see trim kits are available on Vetter's site, so I'll probably get one to fix the gouged trim on mine.  It is surprising how little the fairing was damaged considering how hard it hit the road, then skidded, a testament to the strength of 42 year old ABS and the design.

I've never weighed it and was curious, so I put it on the scale this morning.  The 1977 vintage Windjammer SS and bracket weighs 34 pounds.  The bracket accounts for 7 pounds, and is a little heavier than original due to the reinforcement I put on it years ago.