Working with the seller to find a reasonable outcome for the tank cover. I'll keep my comments to myself; until I get to test their customer service protocols, but other than the cover, most everything buttoned up as OEM plastics would. Taking one of these naked, then back to full dress, isn't for everyone, no doubt
That said, the most work I've done on a motorcycle before this, consisted of air filter changes and scooping up chicks and tossing them in the backseat during beach week in high school.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Did you ask them for install tips for the tank cover? Sounds like you changed your mind on it. They do refunds for stuff like that?
So, I didn't change my mind, it was changed for me. As it turns out, the tank cover from this particular seller/kit is not of the same ABS injected mold quality as the rest of the fairings. This piece, is compression molded, and has an incredibly weak seam down the center of it. It wasn't even close as far as fitment, the bolt holes nearest the seat didn't line up at all, and the tab that contained the two most forward bolt holes near the triple tree, broke off completely. The shell split from the part nearest the seat as well, right up that seam, towards the gas flap hole. So, I've decided to just paint the tank to match the cover, and ask for a refund of the cover. If this is the material that older kits were made of, I can COMPLETELY understand everyone's frustration with installing them. Good lord, I'd have punched myself repeatedly in the face, if I purchased a full kit made of this material.
Also, the windscreen they sent looks okay at first, but is pretty flimsy and the bolt holes don't line up. That was a freebie toss-in, so nothing lost there.
With all that said,
I have to stress that the fairings, instrument bezel, and all of the little plastics forward of gas tank, and under the nose, are all VERY close to being 100% spot-on fitment wise. I slightly enlarged maybe 4 holes that the push-pins had trouble getting into. Honestly, had I left those alone and muscled the pins in place, it'd probably fit. I just didn't want to risk cracking a fairing mount point, because I over muscled a piece, so i bored out a few holes ever so slightly. That may have cost me a few mm's in fitment gap somewhere along the line, but having never ever done anything like this before, and kinda just tossing caution the wind, I'm happy the way it came out. Hell, my OEM fairings had gaps up near the front of the bike from shops taking them off and reinstalling. I'm taking the tank cover to a painter today, to find out the cost to paint my tank to match it exactly. Can't imagine it's THAT much, and hopefully the company feels good about refunding my cost of the cover.
I'll put up some pics to the cover, so everyone can see. My guess is maybe they haven't made too many of these, especially since they're not offered with their kit. They just got this one wrong, but everything else right.
From conception, to ordering, to custom painting, to installation, I have to whole heartedly endorse this purchase. For $400 shipped, without tank cover, you're gonna be hard pressed to beat it. Opt-in for the bolt kit, that should come with it. Even though I didn't use their bolts ( I went with RED from Pro Bolt), it comes with an assortment of push-pins that work well to tighten everything up. Don't fall in love with the windscreen, it's not great and I can't even get it to work at all. Gonna grab a double bubble, I suppose...
Are they 100% the same as OEM? Nope. But they're every bit of 90% the same. One little touch I'd like to see them include, is on the fairing mounting points where screws connect plastic to plastic (not frame bolts). Everything lines up fine, no worries. But the OEM fairings, have nice metal threads where the bolt screws into. These do not, however they snugged up just fine. I'd also like to see them include all of the fairing clips and grommets that I had to convey from the OEM ones. Time consuming, and nerve racking as you have to put a fair amount of pressure to get some of these grommets in. I was so worried about busting off a mounting point. I think Greg above, noted to use a lubricant. Take his advice...
I'll try to answer any questions honestly, and fully. I know I probably missed some in this thread, since I was banging knuckles, yelling MF'er, snapping pics, and updating here near real-time as I was installing.
So, fire away... thanks for following along.
I didn't think about this before, but your color scheme would be a prime candidate for the clear or smoke version of the turn signal and tail light lenses that Thurn and others sell:
[image: 95-LRL246-gesamt.jpg]
[image: 19-BLK246-gesamt.jpg]
Yes, will be a Spring project for sure, now that I have some comfort removing and installing everything.