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Belly Fairing

Started by retcol, November 11, 2017, 10:49:52 AM

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retcol

This might be a stupid question, but I removed the belly fairing to clean my headers and I really like the look of the fully exposed pipes. I'm thinking of leaving it off. Does the belly fairing serve a useful purpose if you don't track race? I just ride on the street and really don't see a need for it. Opinions.? This is my first FJ1200 so I don't know much about them yet. Thanks

ZOA NOM

Provides a little focus of airflow to the headers, but many have removed it without issue. Welcome aboard, and put a signature line with the details of your bike. There are many differences between the years, and it will make it easier for those with a similar year to answer questions. Also, a chin fairing in good condition is hard to find, so you may find a buyer if you really want to take it off.
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

aviationfred

I don't know if there is an actual functional purpose of the lower cowling. There are many members that do not have them installed on their FJ's. Taking a WAG on the two main reasons that lower cowlings are not on an FJ.

1. The owner prefers the look without it.

2. The FJ did not have one when purchased.



Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

Pat Conlon

Marketing 101: Style sells.

If it looks like a track bike...it must be bitchen.

Just a bit of history: Chin fairings (aka belly fairings, etc) were (still are) required on track bikes as a catch pan or a sump, to contain any oil from a broken engine or oil line. Keeps the oil off the track. You can read all about Doc Hacker's FJ track bike here: http://fjracer.moonfruit.com/

That said, one thing I like about my '84 is that at speeds above 100 mph (closed course only) my bike hunkers down and is very stable. There is no light feeling in the steering. I'm sure proper airflow is the key to this feature.

Does the chin fairing play a part in the airflow characteristics under the bike?

Maybe.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

FJmonkey

Many have removed the lower with no ill effects. Myself included. I like the look with it on but consider it cosmetic, with recreational riding it does not seem to affect function. As long as air can cool the big lump we use for Kookaloo then its all good.
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

retcol

Thanks everyone for your commentd. Since I have an after market exhaust with nice ss pipes, I think I'll leave it off. zi like the look of the four big heasdler pipes. My chin fairing is in excellent condition, what do you think I can sell it for" I need new tires and this sell might offset the cost of a set of new tires.  Thanks again brothers.

Pat Conlon

Retcol,  go to your profile (button at top) and put in your signature line that you have a 1993 FJ1200.

The '92 and '93's share the same colors. A good chin fairing should bring you $100+

Take some pictures, and put them in your "Parts for Sale" post. You will sell it, for sure.

Cheers. Pat

I'm still waiting for Lee's new (never installed) '84 chin fairing he has bubble wrapped and stored in his attic.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

FjLee

Quote from: Pat Conlon on November 11, 2017, 09:21:55 PM

I'm still waiting for Lee's new (never installed) '84 chin fairing he has bubble wrapped and stored in his attic.

Cheers. Pat

Heh, heh...........Pat, you're an admirable man........and patient, too!!

That new, never installed bubble wrapped chin fairing in my attic seems to be appreciating faster than the remainder of my investment portfolio!

FjLee           1984 FJ1100      2016 Suzuki 1250 Bandit

ribbert

Quote from: retcol on November 11, 2017, 09:00:53 PM
Thanks everyone for your commentd. Since I have an after market exhaust with nice ss pipes, I think I'll leave it off. zi like the look of the four big heasdler pipes. My chin fairing is in excellent condition, what do you think I can sell it for" I need new tires and this sell might offset the cost of a set of new tires.  Thanks again brothers.

Don't be hasty. I went through a short lived phase not long after I got my bike thinking it looked mean with the belly pan off and the whole exhaust exposed.

This item is probably the most sought after body work on the forum, once sold it's gone and good luck trying to find another one in good condition, they are like hens teeth. Off loading one of the rarest parts of your bike on a whim makes no sense.
Yeah, your exhaust looks great because you just cleaned it up, the novelty of that will wear off.

Hang on to it, it's not like its easy to replace if you change your mind.

Noel
"Tell a wise man something he doesn't know and he'll thank you, tell a fool something he doesn't know and he'll abuse you"

1tinindian

Quote from: ribbert on November 12, 2017, 06:44:50 AM
Quote from: retcol on November 11, 2017, 09:00:53 PM
Thanks everyone for your commentd. Since I have an after market exhaust with nice ss pipes, I think I'll leave it off. zi like the look of the four big heasdler pipes. My chin fairing is in excellent condition, what do you think I can sell it for" I need new tires and this sell might offset the cost of a set of new tires.  Thanks again brothers.

Don't be hasty. I went through a short lived phase not long after I got my bike thinking it looked mean with the belly pan off and the whole exhaust exposed.

This item is probably the most sought after body work on the forum, once sold it's gone and good luck trying to find another one in good condition, they are like hens teeth. Off loading one of the rarest parts of your bike on a whim makes no sense.
Yeah, your exhaust looks great because you just cleaned it up, the novelty of that will wear off.

Hang on to it, it's not like its easy to replace if you change your mind.

Noel

I couldn't agree more.
Sound advice right there!
"I want to be free to ride my machine without being hassled by the "man"!
91 FJ1200

Pat Conlon

You can still get the '86-'95 chin fairings new, but they are aftermarket, not oem.
By the time you paint it, add decals and insulation, you will will be well over $200.

BTDT
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

retcol

Thanks for your comments and advice. I'm going to keep it, but leave it off until my shinny headers need polishing again, then I might put the fairing back on because polishing those pipes was alot of hard and dirty work. :drinks:

FJmonkey

Dirty deeds done dirt cheep... Polished headers look real good if you keep after them.
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

Pat Conlon

Hey..... I know that neighborhood!
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

retcol

FJmonkey, thats exactly how my headers looked, before and after. Thats why I want to leave off the chin fairing so I can show off my shinny pipes! Did you do your pipes by hand or use an electric buffer/polisher?