Hello from BC!

[rustyspoon]

Hi all!

I'm a fairly new rider who stumbled into possession of a Vetter Windjammer V without a mounting bracket, I found you guys while looking for one. Really cool to see a dedicated forum for these products, I look forward to my membership here!

 

[Larry Fine]

Welcome to the forum.

What bike are you looking to mount this on?

 

[rustyspoon]

This is Burnie! He's a 1981 Suzuki GS650G that burns lots of fuel, a little bit of oil, and at least one leg (mine)! His headlight recently burnt out and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to mount the Windjammer V I picked up about a month ago. I've seen a couple brackets for sale on eBay, but I thought it might be fun to try and make one if someone on here knew the approximate angle/dimensions of an applicable bracket

 

[KGBnut]

The trick with mounting brackets is that, for the most part, they have no markings on them. So, you can't look it up and say, "I ride this model bike, so I need a number VTR-123456 bracket." Even Craig Vetter himself will tell you it was one of his biggest mistakes. The best thing to do is to search eBay for a bracket that came off the same bike that you have. Admittedly, that can be tricky because sellers don't always tell you.

I am a long time Suzuki rider and have Windjammers on both my 1978 GS750 and my 1978 GS550. I don't know how similar the frames are to yours. If you can't find the exact one you need, these might be close enough to fit with some modifications.

Here is a link to what Craig says about it.

Vetter mounting hardware

 

[KGBnut]

There is one on eBay in the USA right now that looks like it might be right for you.

1981 Suzuki GS650G GS650 Katana Windjammer Vetter Bracket w/ Wiring Harness | eBay

Location: 6B3E BOX 6.

www.ebay.com

 

[Larry Fine]

What they ^^ said.

Here's my thread about Vetterizing my '96 Nighthawk 750:

The WJ5 is going on the Nighthawk after all!

Well, I'm doing it! I cut out the lower section of the bracket, coated the cut ends with liquid rubber, contact-cemented rubber pads (cut from a hose) to the saddles for spacing and friction, and clamped them onto the bike's frame with two hose clamps per saddle. The bracket is rock solid, and...

www.vetterowners.com

 

[rustyspoon]

There is one on eBay in the USA right now that looks like it might be right for you.

1981 Suzuki GS650G GS650 Katana Windjammer Vetter Bracket w/ Wiring Harness | eBay

Location: 6B3E BOX 6.

www.ebay.com

That is exactly the one I saw! As I live in BC Canada the shipping is not great, and for the price I was thinking it might be more interesting to learn for fabrication skills. But if you guys think it would be best to just get a bracket that I know will fit I'll go that route. Any tips for when I'm mounting the fairing?

 

[KGBnut]

Craig did offer some guidance on fabricating your own mounting brackets. Check out the link below.

Craig's Guide to Custom Brackets

 

[Mike324]

Welcome from Ontario

 

[KGBnut]

Rusty,

I see that the bracket on eBay was sold. Was that you that grabbed it up?

Ken

 

[rustyspoon]

Yes it was!

 

[Larry Fine]

Yes it was!

Good choice. It's much easier to modify a bracket than create one fro scratch.

 

[KGBnut]

If it doesn't come with installation instructions, I can send you some.

 

[rustyspoon]

If it doesn't come with installation instructions, I can send you some.

I don't think the fairing will come with mounting instructions, it looks like the seller is a wrecker of some sort.

I did see the generic installation instructions one Craig Vetter's site here but they leave some specifics to be desired, so if you have some relevant instructions I'd appreciate it!

 

[Kynan C.]

Welcome to the forum! There is lots of info here, and if you dont see it, just ask. Also, like mentioned above reference Craigs site for additional info.

 

[KGBnut]

These are the instructions that I have. Also, my 1978 GS750 is probably very similar to your bike. I you run into a problem I will try and help. I am recovering from surgery right now, but if I need to sneak out to the garage to take a picture I probably do that. Take your time and be tidy with your wiring. You will be glad you did. Somewhere I have a good recommendation for an LED headlight for that fairing. When I find it I will share it,

Vetter Installation instructions

 

[KGBnut]

I found it. This it the headlight that I use in both of my Windjammers.

Amazon.com

 

[rustyspoon]

The bracket has arrived! After looking at the instructions @KGBnut sent me I'm fairly confident that I know how to install the bracket and where; The two mounting holes I've circled in green at the mounting points the horn hangs from, and the down tube sections I've circled in orange on the down tube with hose clamps.

That being said, I do have some parts that I'm not sure of their function or placement. The bracket came with two threaded hooks that I'm sure are used to keep wires in the proper place, but I can't tell where they're supposed to be mounted and the instructions don't mention them. Does anyone know where they're supposed to go?

 

[Larry Fine]

They may hook around the upper center frame tubes and pass through those two holes.

If the holes happen to line up with the horn bracket, then try to use them.

 

[KGBnut]

The lower 'half pipes' should marry up with the down tubes. They are then held in place with hose clamps. Double-check your wiring so nothing binds when turn the handlebars lock to lock.