I've had my '81 GL1100 for a year, my first bike with a fairing. I just noticed that the Vetter fairing is mounted a little off center. It is offset from center about 3/4" to the left (the clearance to the tank sides and around the headlight are the indicators). It isn't obvious from the mounting that it can be adjusted. Is this offset a problem? I also noticed that the front wheel has a definite wear band to the left of center, although this may be due to riding on the right side of crowned roads.

By Frank R. Williamson on Sunday, May 28, 2000 - 05:26 pm:

Time to remove the Vetter and take some measurements, or have it checked. Check whether the vetter mount is wrongly positioned or bent. Check for steering stem is centered or off to the right side. Are both fork tubes clamped the same height in the triple clamp.
Ray

By Victor C. Kelly on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 - 06:39 am:

Barry, I also have a 1981 GL 1100 with Vetter faring that i have had for a year and mine has the same offset you describe. I did not have uneven tire wear before replacing it.

By Bryce McInnis on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 - 09:04 am:

My Vetter was off-centred too. I found the handling adversely affected in windy or turbulent conditions, such as when passing transports - bike tended not to track straight.

I slotted the mount holes to allow adjustment, and tried using a measuring tape from the frame at the back of the gas tank cover to the windshield mounts, but found that the fairing itself was not really symmetrical. In the end I got better results by standing on the front footpegs and looking down at the fairing, aligning it with the frame backbone and the front wheel. Then checked from behind the bike about 15 feet back, and from the front at same distance.

It made a noticeable difference in the handling stability at road speed in winds or turbulence, or in passing vehicles at higher speeds.

Bryce

By Vincent Klotz on Saturday, June 03, 2000 - 11:22 am:

I bought a 76' GW a few months ago. My vetter fairing is also off about an inch. I spoke with my local dealer. They suggested that the vetter mold could have been wrong.
I first thought my bike could have been in an accident. But after removing everything and checking the frame for damage, which I have not found, I must conclude that the fairing is bad.
Vincent