Interpol fairing

Status
Not open for further replies.
Yes and no, the world has moved on since then.
The real trouble with most touring fairings, Avon amongst them, as I had one when I brought the bike, is that they are to far forward, unable to give their full wind potential/protection from the elements. Also the screen acts a bit like a barn door. That's the main reason I have made my own.
It's based on the BMW R100RS but the headlight goes around with the bars, there is a pattern flip-up screen fitted, wheras the top is just 10 inches from my nose so I can ride around most of the time with my visor half up- as the visor acts as part of the aerodynamics. It's as good as you're going to get with normal h/ bars.
 
Last edited:
EstuaryBoy said:
Doesn't answer your question I know (that would be a straight: 'No!') but weren't the Royal Enfield (Airflow) fairings the creme de la creme back in the day? Personal taste matters of course, and fitting adaptations if possible....
Click to expand...
Answer as above.
 
Mind you, did the RE screen have the advantage of being designed by the bike manufacturers rather than being an aftermarket design? They quoted 5-8% increase in top speed, and 20% better fuel consumption too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: baz
Leonc said:
My first Commando, a Mk111 was fitted with an Interplod fairing back in the 80's. At the time it was a revelation from my 650SS, both by being so smooth and so pleasant to use.
My girlfriend at the time thought it was wonderful, as it was the middle of winter in NZ and the comfort afforded was brilliant.
The weather protection was fantastic and yes, the noise reverberating around all that fibreglass was significant, but the comfort increase was well worth it. I do recall scraping the edges on the road, the first time I went through some fun twisties, and realised that it had cornering limitations, but then again I was comparing it to my Featherbed.
It was smashed up and written off along with the bike in a nasty accident in 1987, (sorry mate I didn't see you!)
If someone offered me one again, I would be sorely tempted to put it on my current Mk111.
Click to expand...
That's interesting especially about the level of comfort
Cheers
 
EstuaryBoy said:
Mind you, did the RE screen have the advantage of being designed by the bike manufacturers rather than being an aftermarket design? They quoted 5-8% increase in top speed, and 20% better fuel consumption too.
Click to expand...
Really?
Are you not confusing yourself with their Dreamliner project?
 
Bernhard said:
Really?
Are you not confusing yourself with their Dreamliner project?
Click to expand...
From Steve Wilson's 'British Motorcycles Since 1950' Volume 4, page 69:
'Claimed Airflow plus points were a 5-8 per cent increase in speed and 20 per cent improvement in petrol consumption'.
'Airflow' of course being the name of RE's 'in house' 'dolphin' fairing first introduced in 1958 and offered subsequently for nearly all their road bike range..
 
One other thing I have forgot to mention about the Avon slab side fairing is that in a strong gust of a sidewind I got blown onto, joining a motorway from the insertion lane straight onto the first lane - and I kid you not, I had banked the bike well over at 45 degrees to counteract, all this, going in a straight line, to join the motorway.
I count myself lucky that there was no HGV on that lane at the same time.
 
Yes and no, the world has moved on since then.
The real trouble with most touring fairings, Avon amongst them, as I had one when I brought the bike, is that they ate to far forward, unable to give their full wind potential/protection from the elements. That's the main reason I have made my own.
It's based on the BMW R100RS but the headlight goes around with the bars, there is a flip-up screen that the top is just 10 inches from my nose so I can ride around most of the time with my visor half up- as the visor acts as part of the aerodynamics. It's as good as you're going to get with normal h/ bars.
 
I install a Vetter "Windjammer" fairing on my Norton for during the winter. (I also have one on my 1978 KZ1000) Took a long time for a Norton fairing bracket to turn up on ebay --- but one finally did. (Kind of rare I think.) It blocks the wind good and is quiet IMO.
 
Latest issue of Old Bike Mart has a small blurb on the RE fairing with some rather poor small pix. It does seem to be a huge affair and looks like a frog coming at you. None the less the weather protection, fuel and speed enhancements are said to be significant. As a RE owner and rider I have been sorely tempted to have a go at fitting one but then as FE says...earplugs would be required!
Oh, if anyone want some pix PM me and Ill email to you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: baz
Bernhard said:
One other thing I have forgot to mention about the Avon slab side fairing is that in a strong gust of a sidewind I got blown onto, joining a motorway from the insertion lane straight onto the first lane - and I kid you not, I had banked the bike well over at 45 degrees to counteract, all this, going in a straight line, to join the motorway.
I count myself lucky that there was no HGV on that lane at the same time.
Click to expand...
Side winds are always going to be a problem with a full touring fairing
Not so bad with a heavier bike and a factory fitted fairing I'd think?
 
Again, quoting from Steve Wilson's book: 'In 1957 racing's governing body, the FIM, banned dustbin fairings on racers. This was to stop amateurs getting blown off the road in high sided home brewed fairings....'
 
  • Like
Reactions: baz
EstuaryBoy said:
Again, quoting from Steve Wilson's book: 'In 1957 racing's governing body, the FIM, banned dustbin fairings on racers. This was to stop amateurs getting blown off the road in high sided home brewed fairings....'
Click to expand...
Imagine catching a side wind whilst going over bray with a DMD !!!
 
Wasn't going to wade into this any further, but after nortriubuell's mention of his windjammer...... Have got a lV on the old wing and it does a good job of keeping the weather, etc. off as long as you're moving. It does add perhaps 20-25# or so up front including mounting hardware. Noisiest during high headwinds and sheer winds cause a bit of discomfort... otherwise quiet enough... All in all I find dislikes offset very well by likes in the way a faring extends the scope of what kind of weather you can tackle safely and comfortably. So just looking at the Interpol faring I believe It's going to be a good addition to your goodies. Besides they aren't hard to remove to return to the wind in your hair mode of riding. However they are a problem in summer.
 
jbruney said:
However they are a problem in summer.
Click to expand...
The modern touring fairing from the far east and elsewhere incorporates a open and shut ventilation system, should be easy to devise some kind of system.
In cold weather, I devised a system of taking heat from the bikes water cooled radiator into my handlebars muffs, it helped to keep my digits warm for free!
 
With the lowers on mine they embrace the radiator and once warmed up is quite comfy in 45F.... I just take off the lowers in hot weather if it becomes too much to tolerate.. A wider area for dispersion would seem better. Personally, although I've no experience with them, I see vents as hot air turbochargers at first impression.... Perhaps I'm being close minded about it.... I'd like to read rider research and not peddler pitch on them to form an opinion of merit, but not spend money and research myself.
 
Interpol fairing


archive.org

Cycle Magazine 1974-11 Volume XXV No 11 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Cycle Magazine USA 1974-11 Volume XXV No 11
archive.org
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Q
Commando fairings
Replies
16
Views
804
rightshiftrick
rightshiftrick
MarcD
Andover vs Norvil fairing bracket
Replies
6
Views
820
Blewdy Yaink
Blewdy Yaink
C
Norton Interpol
Replies
7
Views
1,033
Torontonian
Torontonian
Norcoastal
  • Locked
Gus Kuhn Fairing
2 3
Replies
44
Views
4,907
grandpaul
grandpaul
Stephen_Spencer
Triumph Thruxton Fairing fitted to Norton 961 - I want one (a lot)!
2 3 4 5
Replies
89
Views
9,795
TonyA
TonyA
Back
Top