Dead Center Cycles Road Captain Fairing install
 

I've been comparing all the aftermarket batwing fairings out there for the past couple of months. I decided to go with the Dead Center Cycles Road Captain Fairing as I thought it was a good looking fairing that was proportional in size compared to the Touring bikes for my 2003 Low Rider. I also liked the fact that I could buy just the outer fairing and mounting hardware and get the inner stereo ready fairing at a later time so I didn't have to come up with all the money at once.

After I received the fairing and mounting kit, I discovered that they had sent me the wrong headlight relocation mount. They had sent one for a later model. No problem a quick call to Dead Center Cycles and they sent out the correct one.

1st was to install the T-bolt clamps to the forks between the upper and lower triple clamps as shown in these pictures. These are supposed to be mounted with the bolt parallel to the front axle. But...

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...2e070edda4.jpg


I had to rotate the clamps toward the front a little so the mounting brackets wouldn't hit my tank. I even tried and loosened up my tank mounting bolts to try to move back the tank back a little.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...8ad560bb29.jpg


This side wasn't as near to the tank when I test fit the mounting brackets.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...93181b4cb5.jpg


This is the headlight relocation mount to bring the headlight out and just in front of the fairing. Otherwise it has the "tunnel" look as some other batwing fairing have


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...47e61457b6.jpg


Here is a shot with the T-bolt clamps in place and the headlight in it's new position.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...f007f3f351.jpg


Here is a side view showing the T-bolt clamps installed. Not shown is how the fairing mounts to the T-bolts. They use a thick large washer, then a thick smaller washer, then another thick large washer and then an acorn nut. Sort of the same setup as other quick-disconnect windshields use.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...5bb09d112f.jpg


Finished, except for measuring for a windshield.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...234c2f7b2d.jpg


Another front shot.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...9d73c9757b.jpg


Here's what the back looks like.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...be527c8bbb.jpg


This is where test fitting the fairing mounting brackets before you mount them to the fairing is critical. When I 1st installed the T-bolt clamps and test fit the mounting brackets, the bracket would touch my tank.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...9bd27e7a22.jpg


Here's a side shot of the fairing installed

The only part of the install that I didn't show was mounting the fairing brackets onto the fairing itself.

The fairing is able to be removed fairly quick with just 7/16" wrench.

Overall I'm very happy with the looks and fit of the Road Captain Fairing. The fit and finish of the fairing is great. I can't wait to get the funds up to get the inner fairing. Eventually after I get the inner fairing, I'm going to have both painted to match my bike.

so it's just a sheild, no radio, lighter, power, kichen sink?

It will have a radio and power after I buy the inner stereo ready fairing. Total cost for both inner as shown and the outer is about what all other batwing fairings out there that are stereo ready cost. I just didn't have the funds ready to buy the whole package right now.

Looks awesome. I am def getting one

Keep us posted on how it is when your riding and with the windshield.

Normally not a fan of batwings on sporty or dyna but after seeing this I might have to reconsider. That looks like it belongs.
Nice.

Looks really good, I have been looking at this fairing ever since it's release for the same reasons you mentioned.

As far as mounting, it looks as if with a little modification, those brackets could be modified to addapt the HD quick disconnects levers used on their windscreens. Making the batwing not only quickly removable, but also eleminating the conflict of the tank interference. Going that way, I would recommend getting the lockable QD's.

Thanks for the pics and details.

Did you ever get a wind shield for it? What your review on the ride on the highway before and after?

Looks great!

Batwing fairings are really growing on me.

I put a Woody's Fairing on my Road King a couple of years ago. Worst part was moving the lights to fit the fairing, ending up having to solder a couple of wires. But other than that no problem.

Really happy with it and Glen is great to work with. One man show so a bit of a wait but at the time I lived North so winter project.

Just received my LRS 7" light smoke windshield today. I got it installed and it looks great. I'll ride it tomorrow and tell what the difference is.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...20799ca91d.jpg


Here is my new windshield from Long Ride Shields. It is a 7" Light Tint Ultra Polycarbonate windshield.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...a40b2c4565.jpg


Here's a closer up picture of the LRS.

The difference between riding without any windshield or batwing is substantial. Before without anything the wind would wear me out trying to hold on. Then after I installed the Road Captain batwing fairing, even without the windshield, I didn't feel all the wind hitting my chest as much. Granted, I still had all the wind hitting my face but it was easier to hold on and ride. Now after I installed the LRS windshield, the ride is even more comfortable. I'm still getting a little buffeting on my head but I think that's because I got the 7" tall shield.

What I now notice is the wind coming up from underneath but I think this is normal with any batwing and/or windshield. I had a Memphis Shades on my 01 Sportster 1200C and I had to add their lowers to help stop the wind coming from underneath too. I've seen other posts with other batwings here on the HD Forums and they also have added lower panels. I'm not too concerned with the wind coming from underneath as I've got a couple of ideas that I'm going to try to add lowers on my bike myself.

Now, without having a windshield on the Road Captain Fairing to start with, I had a hard time deciding what height to go with. I thought I had it right as I had my wife hold a tape and I held a laser lever and measured the height to be just under my nose as I was sitting on my bike. After the windshield arrived yesterday I had my wife hold it up in the mounted position and sat on the bike and thought the height was ok. I went ahead and took off the protective film and installed it. Well on the way to work I realized that I should have gone with an 8" tall windshield. I'm looking way over the height of this 7" tall one. This one is ok but I'd rather have just a little taller shield so my eyes are looking just over the top of it. I'm only 5'8" so that might give some of you a place to start with if you get a Road Captain fairing and try to measure for a windshield. Now remember this is on my 03 Low Rider. Other Dyna's might take a different height of windshield due to your own bikes seat height.

My error with the height doesn't take away from the fact that the quality and fit of the Long Ride Shield windshield is great. The light tint looks great too. I might go ahead and order a 8" shield for the winter riding to help keep more cold air off me and use this 7" shield for the summer.

Hope this helps some with questions about the Road Captain fairing and the LRS windshield. Overall I'm very happy with both!!

Looks great awesome write up

Ordered mine today. Should have it in a month or so. Looking forward. Have you been riding with it? How has it been since you had it with the windshield? Keep us posted when you paint and add the stereo.

can you tilt the whole assembly forward a bit? it should have that adjustment... i thought my shield needed to be taller too on my Batwing, but i realized i still had adjustment left and it worked out great....

There is a little bit of adjustment that can be done but not enought to really matter. I already raised the windshield as far up on the mounting bolts that I can and it helped a little. I'm getting more used to it now and will wait to get a taller one for now.

JC, so I received my dead center fairing for an 05 Low Rider. For the head light. There is supposed to be a connector about 12-18" in from the headlight, but since it goes through the frame I am having trouble locating it through the small access hole on the side. Any trick you have to getting to that connector to extend out the headlight?

I didn't have to do anything to my head light wiring. All's I had to do was un-bolt it from the stock clam shell cover, add in Dead Center's adapter bar that re-located the head light about 1/2" forward. I had enough slack in the factory wiring to move it forward. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what wire you're asking about.

No, you got it right. I didn't really have any slack. Haven't really spent any time on it so I may be able to pull it out enough to move it. Thanks

Did you get one with the inner fairing too or just the outer like I did? It will probably be next fall until I can get the inner fairing so I can add a stereo. Even without a stereo I really like the way it blocks the wind. I tried to fit the touring batwing fairing little "wing's" that you can add to the sides but they were too big. We've got some black Plexiglas at work that I'm going to try and make my own "wings" to fit on the sides to help block the wind even more.

Im ordering mine tomorrow, very excited! Hopefully it will be delivered by the time I get back from my deployment. I will confirm this when I am on the phone ordering, but I am assuming there will be no issues mounting the fairing with the apes that I currently have....any thoughts feel free to chime in!

You should be fine. As I said in this post when installing the fork brackets make sure you check the left and right movement to make sure it doesn't hit your tank.

I got the headlight on. I had to work slack out so it didn't pull tight when the wheel was turned all the way to the right, but did it without getting to the connection in the frame. I got the inner fairing as well. Either tonight or tomorrow I will have the fun task of trying to fish the somewhat thick cable through the neck of the frame back to the seat. Not a lot of room with the current cables already running through. Got to get connections back to the battery and fuse box for the stereo.

Great post! I have a very similar setup for my Street Bob. I wish I could have a seen a post like this when I was pulling the trigger on my Road Captain fairing, I felt like I was just guessing on everything. I need to be better about reviewing products on here to help other people out.

I agree on the wind blocking, it makes for a super comfortable ride. I went through 2 LRS Ultras and I now have the 9 inch Windblade, which I think cuts down on the wind coming from under the fairing more than the Ultra. Still get a bit of buffeting on top of the helmet but nothing too crazy.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...cc1139e94d.jpg
LRS makes some great shields, I am just bad at figuring out what works!



https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...90e2d3dedf.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...e39a4df37d.jpg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...9f90a0724d.jpg

I am consideering the outer fairing for now also...... Would it be able to fit a marine deck box, so i can put a radio in it?
Until i can afford the inner , i have a din radio with a marine box and some handlebar speakers.
Any feedback would be apprecriated as i want to order today, if possible.
Cheers..

You should be fine adding a radio box. Here's a couple of pictures that show the space that is where the inner fairing would be. I just set a radio in the space and there seemed to be enough room but I don't know what year or model bike you have. Mines a 03 Low Rider.

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...psnnylp4jt.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...psd2yii5h7.jpg

front signal light
 

Hi, to check how do you relocate the front signal light? Is it easy to remove the wire from the control, handlebar and main frame?

For the dynas with 49mm forks, DCC looks like they changed the fairing mounting brackets to fit in between the forks. For a cleaner look from the out side and likely no issues with hitting the gas tank. at least that what i have read from my instructions from DCC.

I put a Dead Center batwing fairing on my SB a few years back. I went with the fairing called "Dead Center". Just slightly bigger than the Road Captain and designed to mount to the quick release system, but bolted on. Real easy to remove, but never do. Like having it on...and I ordered the one with cutouts for mounting a radio and a couple of extra ports for my heated gloves etc. Great fit and finish...

Great Info
 

I love this forum for posts like this. Someone had a need and did research. I did a double take when I saw the original post was three an a half years ago. The fairing looks great on all the bikes. Functional additions that look good are always a plus. A batwing on a Harley is a natural. The 2018 Sport Glide has a removable mini fairing. It looks good but probably doesn’t do much in deflecting wind over your head.

I have seen one on the showroom floor of my local dealer and it is a small fairing, and I agree, not sure how much bug, road debris etc or wind, it would deflect. Looks good though lol...

how is the wire leads from the fairing work, is it a detachable plug?, getting ready to order mine

I've got a DCC Road Captain fairing and I love it. Quality product from a quality company; you won't regret the purchase. There is a quick-disconnect plug midway in the wiring harness. Mine sits along the inner well of the fuel tank once fully installed. Easy to remove the fairing and disconnect the plug, leaving the wiring to the battery in place for future reinstallation.

for the guys that got the supplied stereo system, are the components worth the price or would you get it blank and install your own choice of audio

is that a 5" headlight or 7"?