Replacing inner fairing?
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Below the Gnat Line
Replacing inner fairing?
So I'm looking at a particular Street Glide. The guy says it's "like new", but on closer interrogation, he admits that there's some damage to the inner fairing on the right side. He said his kid hit it with a hobby horse, but whatever happened, he sent a picture. The inner fairing was impacted between the right mirror and the outermost point of the outer fairing. There may, or may not be scuffing on the edge of the outer fairing, but if there is, I have hope that touch-up paint wouldn't be noticeable on the the very edge (it's hard to tell whether it's scuffed paint or reflected light; he insists it's not scuffed). The inner fairing appears to be bent or creased and a large patch of paint has flaked off; maybe half the size of an outstretched palm. The edge trim between the inner and outer fairing is broken and missing chips. The trim is cheap; maybe $20 for both sides, but after that, it gets complicated. I'm wondering if I could heat/re-bend the existing inner fairing and then spray with flat black or bed liner to salvage what is there before I buy a replacement, but I haven't seen it up close (he's too far away to look, then buy later). My questions to you guys:
1) How difficult is it to remove and replace the inner fairing? The outer has to come off first and then all the gauges, radio, mirrors, etc have to be removed and mounted in the new one, right?
2) A Harley brand inner fairing is $550 before paint. A Chinese knockoff on EBay is $150 shipped. Considering that Harley's fairing is likely made in China as well, would you pay the difference? Are the EBay fairings the same? Do they fit up or have issues?
3) How stoopid would it look to have a black fairing in a color SGS? Flat black? Gloss black?
Lemme' have it ...
1) How difficult is it to remove and replace the inner fairing? The outer has to come off first and then all the gauges, radio, mirrors, etc have to be removed and mounted in the new one, right?
2) A Harley brand inner fairing is $550 before paint. A Chinese knockoff on EBay is $150 shipped. Considering that Harley's fairing is likely made in China as well, would you pay the difference? Are the EBay fairings the same? Do they fit up or have issues?
3) How stoopid would it look to have a black fairing in a color SGS? Flat black? Gloss black?
Lemme' have it ...
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
The inner fairing goes on the bike first AFAIK, with everything else attached to it, so you could have quite a lot of work simply getting to your current inner, to swap it. This is where an FSM is a good idea...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: SE Michigan
Do yourself a favor - if you really want a quality, affordable painted inner fairing, find out where Paul is going to be, consider ordering ahead. You will not be disappointed. They guy can do an inner fairing swap in about 45 minutes, its affordable, and top notch quality.
https://thefairingxchange.com/
https://thefairingxchange.com/
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From: East Coast, USA
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Vermont
Your wording leads me to believe that you had to get it out of him that there was something wrong and its not really like new. If so, I wouldnt trust him regarding the overall mechanical condition. What year is the bike and how much is he asking?
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: in a cave at the foothills
Very good point.
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From: Below the Gnat Line
He also listed the options and add-ons and finished his writeup with "and much more" so I asked, "what else" and he said "that's all". I don't think he's actively trying to hide anything, I think he's just being loose with his wording, or perhaps overly optimistic. If I were close enough to inspect it, I could lay all my concerns to rest with my eyes, but he's a full day's drive away; then I'd have to drive back the next day and I'd hate to do that empty handed. It's a '14 with 9K and he's asking $14.5. I'm seeing $600-$1K to repair that damage, unless I can do it myself.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Ft Myers FL
Do yourself a favor - if you really want a quality, affordable painted inner fairing, find out where Paul is going to be, consider ordering ahead. You will not be disappointed. They guy can do an inner fairing swap in about 45 minutes, its affordable, and top notch quality.
https://thefairingxchange.com/
https://thefairingxchange.com/
i agree with this path...the fairing exchange is a great outfit....did mine in 30 minutes at a local rally....
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From: Below the Gnat Line
I didn't see any costs on the website; Other than the $100 exchange, what should I expect to pay?