Inner Fairing - repair / Replace
Inner Fairing - repair / Replace
ON my 08, upright brackets broke and the ABS cracked. I fixed them. No problem. Horizontals were fine. Now one broke.
I have it apart right now as I am upgrading the stereo and found that my previous repair for the ABS didn't hold. Actually the brass insert for the left upright comes right out and I can hold it in my hand. Now, as I am replacing stereo and speakers and have things apart I am considering what to do with it.
I am already planning on replacing the horizontal speaker braces with beefier ones. I am now pondering replacing the uprights as well but the ABS has me wondering if I should replace the inner fairing so that I am starting with a solid platform or, since I am replacing the all the brackets it should now be solid enough that my repair will hold. I have had no other issues with any of the ABS cracking or breaking.
So what are your thoughts? Just swap brackets? Or rebuild the whole thing?
And if replace the inner, I am wondering about the aftermarket replacements. The price can be hundreds of dollars different. I am concerned about the quality and fitment.
It is not painted and I do not plan to paint it. I am just looking for a solution so I don't have to keep messing with cracks.
I have it apart right now as I am upgrading the stereo and found that my previous repair for the ABS didn't hold. Actually the brass insert for the left upright comes right out and I can hold it in my hand. Now, as I am replacing stereo and speakers and have things apart I am considering what to do with it.
I am already planning on replacing the horizontal speaker braces with beefier ones. I am now pondering replacing the uprights as well but the ABS has me wondering if I should replace the inner fairing so that I am starting with a solid platform or, since I am replacing the all the brackets it should now be solid enough that my repair will hold. I have had no other issues with any of the ABS cracking or breaking.
So what are your thoughts? Just swap brackets? Or rebuild the whole thing?
And if replace the inner, I am wondering about the aftermarket replacements. The price can be hundreds of dollars different. I am concerned about the quality and fitment.
It is not painted and I do not plan to paint it. I am just looking for a solution so I don't have to keep messing with cracks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
My inner fairing was broke at all 4 supports, the plastic on the right side and the upper part of the support on the left side, and both speaker supports. I replaced the broken speaker supports and repaired the broken metal support and did a JB Weld repair on the broken plastic webbing right side upper support. A few trips later, I pulled the fairing to replace the headlight with a LED system and discovered that the JB Weld did not hold and not only was the plastic broken, but the the right side upper support also broke at the fastener. I saw that a plastic repair was not going to work so I replaced both supports with OEM parts and replaced the inner fairing with a new aftermarket one It took some minor fitting, but it looks pretty good so far..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,524
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
You can find a take-off from someone that has swapped for a painted fairing relatively cheap. I would spring for a different inner fairing and start fresh. I recently replaced both of my uprights with the newer ones that had been updated in 2009 as the originals finally broke. Both of my horizontals were fine. I have the heavier J&M speakers and an a J&M amp in there as well so I’m surprised the uprights actually lasted 50k + miles.
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