Topic: GL1000 vetter fairing install questions

[Prospect]

Anybody have any experience putting on a vetter or other fairings on a 75 gl1000?  I hope to do this soon and wanted to do it with minimal wire cutting.  I've never done this and would appreciate any links on hints on what to expect and how to go about it.  I'm hoping to do the front fairing, lowers and back luggage to have a full long distance cruiser. 

I know that these days the fairings are being discarded at a good pace and thrown away but I think I'm ahead of the curve when I say they're making a come back.  Their unsightly distortion of clean lines is counter to anything out there these days.

[BPellerine]

there used to be extended wiring kits for these in the day that just plugged into the stock harness,maybe fab something like that up?bill

[BenelliSEI]

The Vetter I removed from my ‘76 Wing actually had a harness extension that plugged into the fairing (it was pre wired). The loose end of the harness went to the headlight bucket, for connection to the original harness. There was even a rubber cover over the headlight bucket (headlight and trim ring went on the fairing). I think I still have that headlight cover, I’ll have a look. It might be actually bestamped “Vetter”. Thanks

[nvr2old]

I predict that these Vetter Windjammer fairings, after years of disdain, will again one day be re-appreciated..especially the Super Sport versions.  To me, they look right on a first gen GL1000 and other UJM bikes of the late 70's and early 80's.  The protection they offer is amazing.  You can light a match behind them.  I got one and a full set of Samsonite luggage on my '77 when I bought it, and even though I went for the naked look..I never tossed any of those touring components because there's just something about them that won't let me.  If you can find the pigtail wiring harness that came originally with the fairing it saves you a ton of time and installs easily and quickly.

[Prospect]

I just need the wind protection during longer rides.  I really makes a difference with regards to fatigue and the extra storage space is great to have as I always take spare parts and tools.  I bought a number of fairings and hard luggage over the years from various manufacturers but I think the vetter for the fairing is the way to go. 

[low-side]

I'm about to do the same thing on a '78 GL.  Vetter doesn't sell the pigtails anymore, but he does sell the plug so that you can make one yourself.  He also offers windshield screw kits, the vents, mounting tape, and graphics.  http://craigvetter.com/index.html

[Bankerdanny]

You can probably find used pigtails on Ebay. You could also make a custom one without a huge amount of work.

The Vetter gets a lot of crap for being ugly. I actually don't think they are ugly and they are super effective. I had one on my GL1000 and it worked great.

That said, I used a small clear windscreen on my 550 for a 4700 mile trip in 2011 and used a medium size cafe style fairing on my 750F this summer for a 1200 mile trip. Both were very effective and in the case of the windscreen, easily removable. I like the fairing on the 750, so I am leaving it on.

[Alan F.]

Another resource is the Vetter Owners Group:

http://www.vetterowners.com/

[Prospect]

Thanks for all the replies.  All great info and a great place to start.  Looks like I'll have to make my own wire harness which is not that difficult. 

Bankerdanny are those bates bags on the GL?  I think I have a set of those as well.

[Bankerdanny]

Thanks for all the replies.  All great info and a great place to start.  Looks like I'll have to make my own wire harness which is not that difficult. 

Bankerdanny are those bates bags on the GL?  I think I have a set of those as well.

Yes they are. I think they look better than the Vetter bags, although the Vetter trunk is very futuristic looking.

[Don R]

 I've got a half dozen Vetter fairings up on the shelf. In the day, the dealers used the Scotchlock crimp over connectors. If I was wiring one I'd get a set of bullet connectors and make up a proper harness so it could all be put back to original just by unplugging. The Scotchlocks worked OK for a while but eventually some of them lost their grip and the lights would go out. My brother rode 20 miles one night coming back from Louisville Ky. flat track using my headlight. 
 I love the one on my gl1000, There's another one like it 50 miles away for $25. I may go get it since it's the right color already.

[Don R]

 And that plastic headlight ring pushes in and turns if you haven't messed with one yet.