Hi all

[Orangechicken007]

Hey this is my introduction !
I found this forum today and hoping for some input. I'm currently in the slow process of getting my 82 Suzuki GS650GL on the road again. Originally I was thinking of taking the fairing off but now I'm wondering if it's worth restoring.
I know nothing about these fairings, what I do know is that all the lights work. The FM radio/tape deck do not nor does the CB.

I have heard different things about their performance but I would eventually like to take some road trips if I can get the 650 to cruise at 75-80

It's got some scratches and scuffs but it is all still there. Would it be difficult to install a new radio? What about painting/refinishing?

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[brianinpa]

Welcome to the forum.

I cannot speak about the 650, but the fairing will help tremendously on long road trips. Getting out of the direct wind makes a big difference and lets you cover more distance because you won't be as fatigued by fighting the wind. I had a an 85 GS550L and regularly rode it 350 miles without any wind protection. I felt like a wet noodle when I was done. Behind a windscreen of some sort, I am able to easily do 700 miles before I feel the same way.

 

[Scott-E]

You want to keep that Vetter Touring gear on that bike. Once you ride behind it you'll understand.
A little elbow grease will clean that Vetter fairing, saddlebags, and trunk up nicely.
As for the radio and cb, You don't actually need to put an automotive radio back in it for a couple of reasons.
First is you'll need to cut it to fit a modern DIN style radio in it unless it's a rare, late model single peace radio housing. If it is a single peace housing you can fit a modern DIN radio in it. If it's a two peace housing cutting it for a DIN adaptor will reduce the strength of the housing and cracks will appear and it will fall apart. If you look on eBay at all the Cycle Sound Radio Housing that show up all of them have cracks and repairs where people have attempted to repair them. I have a Cycle Sound Housing that someone cut but I have not even attempted to put a DIN style radio in it. I don't want one in it. I have a small audio amplifier in it and a cover over the front. I feed the audio from my satellite radio to the amplifier which is connected to the speakers. You could also use a smart phone instead of a satellite radio. Another choice is an MP3 player. All could be easily mounted to the cover plate covering the front of the radio housing using Velcro. That way you can simply remove whatever device you are feeding audio to the amplifier and speakers and put it somewhere it can stay dry if you end up riding in the rain. As for CB, Cell Phones have pretty much made them obsolete. Even Truckers have quit using them.

 

[Orangechicken007]

You want to keep that Vetter Touring gear on that bike. Once you ride behind it you'll understand.
A little elbow grease will clean that Vetter fairing, saddlebags, and trunk up nicely.
As for the radio and cb, You don't actually need to put an automotive radio back in it for a couple of reasons.
First is you'll need to cut it to fit a modern DIN style radio in it unless it's a rare, late model single peace radio housing. If it is a single peace housing you can fit a modern DIN radio in it. If it's a two peace housing cutting it for a DIN adaptor will reduce the strength of the housing and cracks will appear and it will fall apart. If you look on eBay at all the Cycle Sound Radio Housing that show up all of them have cracks and repairs where people have attempted to repair them. I have a Cycle Sound Housing that someone cut but I have not even attempted to put a DIN style radio in it. I don't want one in it. I have a small audio amplifier in it and a cover over the front. I feed the audio from my satellite radio to the amplifier which is connected to the speakers. You could also use a smart phone instead of a satellite radio. Another choice is an MP3 player. All could be easily mounted to the cover plate covering the front of the radio housing using Velcro. That way you can simply remove whatever device you are feeding audio to the amplifier and speakers and put it somewhere it can stay dry if you end up riding in the rain. As for CB, Cell Phones have pretty much made them obsolete. Even Truckers have quit using them.

Thanks for the response guys, is rewiring the speakers to amp to standard AUX imput a difficult job? I know nothing about audio any tutorials or how to's you could point me to?


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[brianinpa]

It is so much easier to just buy a cheap Boss single DIN stereo that accepts USB, SD Card, or AUX input cable. I think I spent $35.00 for mine so if/when it gets wet in a good rain storm, I am not too worried about it gets sizzled. At that price, when I bought one, I bought two right away.

 

[Scott-E]

Thanks for the response guys, is rewiring the speakers to amp to standard AUX imput a difficult job? I know nothing about audio any tutorials or how to's you could point me to?


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It's not hard at all. Most small amplifiers of about 20 watts per channel sold today come with a 3.5mm phone jack ready for plugging into any device with a headphone jack like a phone or MP3 player. All you do is plug a standard 3.5mm cable between the device and the amplifier. The amplifier uses wire clamps you you simply strip the speaker wire bare of insulation, push the wire into the clamps as you hold the lever down, after the wire is inserted simply take your thumb off the clamp lever and the wire clamp will firmly hold the speaker wire in the clamp.

You could buy a small $10 AM/FM battery powered radio that clips to your belt and comes with headphones. Typically they use 1 or 2 AAA batteries that will play that radio for 50 plus hours. The only thing to look out for is making sure your cable at at least 3 feet long. Those small radios use the headphone cable as the antenna. All of them are 3 feet long for that reason. When you connect the cable between the radio and amplifier make sure not to coil it up. Lay the cable/antenna out as long as possible so it allows the best reception. FM stations use circular polarization of the RF signal so the cable can be laid out horizontal instead of vertical like headphones would be between the radio clipped to a belt or strapped on an arm and the headphones stuck in the listeners ears as they walk or run. Below is a picture of the type of audio amplifier I am talking about. You can see the AUX 3.5mm jack input you would plug your cable into.

 

[Kynan C.]

Welcome to the forum! That faring will make trips and long distance riding a blast, and not a blast of wind!

Get out your polish!