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I’ve spent a lot of time reading through the threads about switching to a 96 fairing on a pre 96. My issue is I have a 91 FLHTC that one of the PO’s removed the the entire fairing and stuffed all the connections up under by the nacelle. I would like to get her back to being a what she is supposed to be. Here’s the question should I try to find a pre 96 fairing setup (finding an inner fairing has been a nightmare) or look at a 96 or later which is much more readily (I know they made a mechanical speedometer for it) but I have read that I’ll need to change the hand bar and tree is that true?
Biggest question is it worth all the work.. got a really good deal on the bike and she was well maintained.
this is what she looks like now ( I do have the tourpak but I think it would look stupid.
I don't know alot about EVO Baggers... but... on my '83 FLHTC, a good old Batwing would go right on... and I do Know I do Not prefer the two-piece [Inner-Outer] Fairings...Just a Thought..
Or... I really like the King Size [Bagger] Windshield... like from the old Shovels [again] and I believe I see the Mounting hardware for That!!!!
A batwing is actually what belongs on her.
the problem is the instruments ( no speedo, tach, directionals... etc) I don’t care about a radio. I like the way my Evo sounds... lol
but the ignition switch is gone. I’m more worried about that and how much mods I would need to do. The PO did give me a windshield that I put on over the past weekend but still not what she is supposed to be
I'll second that, parts are awful hard to come by for bikes of that vintage. If it were me I'd look at plan B, maybe just a batwing style windshield. Another option would be to find a non running bike strip off what you need and part it out. Then you know you'll have 95% of the parts you need. Not ideal but in the long run more practical.
Jay, I bought my 1990 FLHS new, which came with the RK-style windshield. That was so bad in many ways that I dumped it and installed an old shovelhead batwing, which I bought secondhand. These days there are aftermarket batwing kits available, which should fit your 'RK' with ease and provide the right riding experience and looks, without all the angst of recreating it as new. Just a thought!
The kits are available with provision for radio etc, so can be made more modern looking than my minimalist look above.
Changing the entire nacelle just for a bat wing seems like the hard way around the block. Aftermarket or an older Shovel bat wing probably could be installed pretty easy, and as a detachable so you could go back and forth as desired. The change in nacelle would likely be considered an improvement to most, that Sport Glide setup which was the Road King pre-cursor was functional but a little short on looks. Good luck.
1996-1999 had mechanical speedometers
2000-2003 digital speedometers with new brackets
2000+ Inner fairing modified for digital Speedo including mounting bracket.
2004-digital speedometers changed again
1996-1997.....radios were the same
1998-2005 Radios were different
2006-2013.....Radios were HK
Wiring was pretty much the same 1996-1999.
2000-2003....wiring was different due to digital speedometer.
2004-2005....wiring was changed due to different speedometer-tachometer
Inner Fairing changed.....when throttle by wire was introduced. The wind deflectors changed....3 holes to 5 holes I believe.
Anyways.....that’s just some of the changes I know. I’m sure there’s more!
Thanks for the responses and suggestions.
I think I may go for an after market fairing for a RK.
now a new question... on the ones I see that have radios in them, I will presume there’s a bit of real estate between the inner and outer. My biggest concern is instrumentation. Because right now I’m riding blind. The speedo/tach combo the PO has on there is as good as an ash tray on my bike. I’m going by my revs to figure out how fast I’m going.
would you think that there’s room for a speedometer that I could cut in. Rest of the goodies are basic indicator lights for directions, neutral, and oil pressure (and the PO put a mechanical oil pressure meter on)
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Fairing... is it worth it
