R6 fairings on Minitwins...

[Hornstar]

Hey all,

I have seen a couple of minitwins with R6 (race) fairings and was wondering if anyone had an idea of how they fit them? I guess it needs new subframes but where to get these from?

Any info would be great.

[coxxy]

Have seen these fairings on both Richard Wilshier and Paul Whittingtons Minitwins at Bemsee this year and they certainly look good - they are fitted depending upon subframe with brackets, screws and fasteners, sometimes Dzus fittings. Had a look at fitting them ourselves but subframe compatibility was a little more complicated so opted for SDC Alloy subframes and BBC Plastics Fireblade seat unit & Fairing which are built to be compatible. You could also consider other Lightweight subframes available that allow GSXR race fairings to fit quite well on the SV. Its possible with some light weight metal working to make most race fairings fit the SV but make sure you still get suitable air flow for the rad and protection for the rider. Come along to a minitwin meeting (only one left at Bemsee) and you can have a closer look around the paddock. Good luck with your search.

[Hornstar]

Cheers for the info coxxy,

I spoke with one of the guys who has the R6 fairings but he said he bought it like that so had no idea about where the subframes come from.

I saw the SDC/BB Plastic setup and it does look nice actually, especially as all the pieces are purchasable "off the shelf". Was also looking at the 675 fairing which looks good too.

My problem is that I am not able to manufacture metalwork and don't know anyone that does. Think that the SDC/BB is the way to go. Will continue having a think about it. Cheers again.

[hardhat_harry]

The 675 fairing fits well and is really narrow but its a bit of a pain to fit. I have one-off front and rear subframes on mine.

I can give you the number of the guy who manufactured them if you PM me, much cheaper than SDC.

[Emc]

hi jhr racing in bristol have some sv's on there web site that thay build thay sell alot of fairings and fairing frames to fit sv650.

[coxxy]

If you have any time over the 'off' season we would be happy to help with your fitting issues. Our BB Plastic fairings go on and off in 1 minute if necessary and fittings are relatively simple to acquire - light for racing and look great.

[viffer]

GSXR 600-750 K4 fit straight on with minimum fuss and cos there's gazillions of em around they're cheap.

[LankyIanB]

Hi Hornstar

Have just ordered BB Plastics M1 fairing from them via e-bay (Haggle! It's buy it now or best offer). I guess I'll receive them by early October, depends how much of a rush you're in but I'd be happy to let you know how I get on with them.

I too have no metal-bending experience so will be ordering up their lower brackets too.

Regards

Ian

[coxxy]

Good luck. Let us know if you need any advice on fitting them as there is a couple of key points you need to achieve to get the best position.

[LankyIanB]

Hi Coxxy

That's a big yes from me! Never done anything like this before so all advice very welcome!

Regards

Ian

[coxxy]

hi Ian, basically start by fitting the screen first as this has its own natural position and shape which the fairing must accommodate. Then joining the fairings together around the bike and then blocking up the undertray as well as roughly positioning in place at the front subframe and fairing sides with Nylon ties or gaffer tape - you cannot start by fixing one place only as you need to adjust all through the fitting so may have to reposition . You then need to position the fairing to have a 50mm gap clearance behind the front wheel - this sorts the fairing position front and back (use a block of wood). Next consideration is front canopy/screen position - ours is positioned so that the bottom of the screen is roughly in line with the top of the clocks. The front of the fairing and screen needs to be fitted high enough to give good rider position and protection when flat out down the straight - you might also need clearance for an under yoke front pit stand. You can if necessary reposition the front subframes arms to meet the fairing surfaces more neatly - if the alloy allows it. All this will take some fiddling about including making sure that when you look at the front of the bike the fairing is centralised and (if I remember right) the tops of the fairing sides run equally in line with the top of the chassis frame aside the petrol tank. Once you are happy with the position and have checked you have an exhaust clearance of at least 1cm - pipe to inside fairing surface - and the gearshift rod on the other side is also clear you can then mark out where you expect the mounting holes to be drilled out for your pick up points. You may have to trim the fairing around the gearshift rod and if I were you use some contact adhesive to glue some heat resistant material (exhaust wrap) along the line of the exhaust pipe to protect the GRP, you could also wrap the exhaust in this lower area too and secure with lock wire.
Now you need to sort out all your rear lower fittings if they are or not fitted onto the bike. If you have them fitted already on the bike you may have to adjust them into a useful pickup point on the fairing by bending in a vice. Either way it may be necessary to take measurements if fitting these after you have positioned the fairing or remove them for adjustment anyway. I have completely removed the fairing more than once to achieve all of this but eventually you get to an understanding of where the best position is. It can get frustrating!
Better to deliberate over all this before finally drilling your fairing holes - with the fairing in place for better placement - as once holed theres no going back! If all seems well front and back I'd start with the side holes and then securing the fittings for them. Check position again then drill the front pick up points securing the screen area followed by the rear lower holes. Don't drill closer than 2cm to the edge of the fairing to maintain strength and have someone help you as the fairing does its best to freak you out and jump off the bike!
It aint easy describing this in writing so hope this helps, if you need any further help give us a call on 07904439270
Good luck!

[Dr.Tom]

Jaysus coxxy your some salesman all the same. The fairings are sold as SV fairings and they require all that work to fit. You even sate "it can get frustrating". Also heat shield is needed which would indicate a poor fit to me. Ive experienced these first hand on two of my mates bikes and I honestly think they are a pain to fit and not the best quality. In saying that I previously purchased R6 fairings from BB Plastics and their fit and quality was excellent. If they put the same though and effort into their M1 SV650 fairings Id definitely have a set. Just my two cents worth

[jacknell]

can you fitted KTM rc8 fairings to an sv650. that would look mint!

[coxxy]

Not a salesman tom just trying to help a novice fit fairings as he requested - I assumed less than average experience. All fairings require careful fitting and rarely just slot on. I've tried to explain it in detail although when doing it myself it didnt take too long as I know the importance of position and affect on rider and bike performance - it is frustrating to get it perfect however. We have both GSXR (for trackdays) and BB Plastics fairings, lighter for racing, and they both needed the same treatment. Funny enough we had an issue at Snetterton recently where we couldnt quite close the gap on the leader down the long straight. Adjusted the fairing up at the front by 4cms and hey presto, better top speed, outright MRO lap records broken and happy rider. Just trying to share experience with others - nothing wrong in that I guess ?!

[LankyIanB]

The novice with absolutely no experience is very happy with the information provided. Thank you.

Now I just have to wait until the goods arrive when I can learn the truth for myself. I'm planning to take photos and stuff and write it up on here as I go to provide a resource for the next inexperienced but hopeful muppet who decides to do this... If nothing else, it'll provide some of you with some entertainment where you can tell me where I'm going wrong...

Not expecting the fairing to be here until late September/early October, so we'll see what happens once it turns up....

[coxxy]

Thanks Ian, happy to help. Our third minitwin season beckons next year (trying hard to win the Bemsee Championship - again!) and I can remember how uninformed we felt when we first started out as each new series brings its own mysteries and tricks. You are doing the best thing by asking questions as there can be pitfalls along the way. Can honestly say it has taken us 18 months of help, trial, error and luck to get our outfit up the sharp end but it all seems worth it now. There are plenty of helpful minitwinners out there and more than one way of solving problems. you have our contact so use it if you wish. Good luck

[coxxy]

so Ian, you got them fairings sorted yet??

[LankyIanB]

Not yet! Was at Magny-Cours last weekend. If I get the time this weekend I'll start taking the original plastics off ready for sale. If that goes well I'll start looking at how the new fairing fits.

Need to source the fittings etc - any recommendations?

Ian

[coxxy]

What subframes have you got on Ian?

[LankyIanB]

The bike is currently in standard road trim. So subframes are all stock. I know I'll need to make up some bracketry for supporting the lower part of the fairing. I spoke to BB plastics and they advised to try making up my own and buy theirs if I got stuck...

[coxxy]

Hmmm,
you will benefit from the race subframes for sure as they are uber lighter for one thing and if you ask SDC nicely they might throw in some of the fittings for you - ie screw mounts in their subframes and screws with wide washers for attachment to seat unit and fairings. The suzuki stock subframes are certainly robust to say the least but you need to be shifting as much weight off the bike as possible and while you are at it perhaps move the battery from under the seat to front rightside of the engine as per many minitwins. Where are you based Ian ?

[LankyIanB]

I'm near Alton in Hampshire. The bike is going to be a track toy, so weight loss isn't everything right now. There'll be far more time gained from getting the bike out on track on a regular basis to sort the rider out than from knocking the odd kilo or three off the bike. This may change in time though. Robust may be useful at these early track stages too!!

The rear plastics that I have are for the suzuki rear subframe. It's not half as attractive as SDC's fireblade rear end but it'll do for now. There's also a slight issue with trying to keep this build to a budget. What I'd like to do and what I can afford to do are slightly different things.... I think everyone who does something like this suffers this problem.

[coxxy]

Very sensible approach I'd say. I was just worried about fitting the SDC slimline fireblade seat unit to the stock rear subframe! As nice as it all looks there is more work involved in moving the battery and wiring to accommodate the slimmer profile and anyway it needs the SDC race subframe as you know - save for another day when you eventually go racing! Have seen enough twinners spend loads on their first track tool, try it out a few times and then..........give it up at the first smell of difficulty and sell it all off! Good for ebay but an evolutionary approach like yours is the way to go. At least you have gone for a cheap route into tracking as once set up the SV is usually pretty reliable and doesnt take too much to patch up if crashed.
Ways to save money:
Take it easy!
Seek out the cheaper trackdays during the 'off' season for more track time especially wet or damp practice is good as slippery tracks catch a lot of novices out in the spring season
Plan and check the bike thoroughly to avoid loss of tracktime
Dont scrimp on tyres - get the best you can afford as cheap is a false economy
Dont worry what the bike looks like, it will get trashed in your first off anyway!

Let us know if you have any other probs, happy to help!