Latest incarnation . . .

[h2olawyer]

Just finished stage one of the fairing installation.  Recently purchased an 83 fairing on eBay.  Got a great deal but it does still need some work & parts.  There are some deep scratches & chips, the windshield is yellowed & scratched & the rubber boot for the left mirror is really rough.  Special thanks to Ron McCoy for some important parts & to Lucky for some great hints.

Took a few photos of it this morning.  The color combo really isn't too bad but when it warms up around here, I'll be painting it to match the bike & adding some simple but flashy graphics.

[Riche]

Very nice H2O

[Superfly]

H20,  It really changes the way the bike rides, doesn't it.  I noticed a huge difference in the way the bike handles.  It looks really good (much better than mine did when I put my fairing on for the first time!) Mine looked so bad the first time I put it on I had to take a picture!

I really liked the black battery cover!  


So ride with pride!!

[h2olawyer]

Haven't had a chance to ride yet.  Still a little too cool and the corners are all sandy from the winter weather around here.  Things are getting better & I should be able to get out for a ride later this week.  Just around town, though.  The fun roads west of here are still quite treacherous for two wheel transport.

The original fairing & bike project of yours is a great example of "urban camouflage".  It sure is fun to take on a project & get it running & looking great, isn't it.

H2O

[EH]

Nice looking Vision! Very clean too. What size and brand tires do you have on your machine? I like the way they look. good luck with the paint. EH

[ps2/bikevision]

hey superfly i really like that color of blue on your bike. that blue and the right amount of black would look sweet. but then again my tank is honda red(closer to red-orange) and the rest is black. waiting for the weather to warm up a bit to finish the rest.

[h2olawyer]

Thanks for the good comments.

The tires are Cheap Skin (Cheng Shin) C906 & C907 HiMaxes.  Sizes are: F - 100/90/18  R - 120/90/18.  They're better than the original Bridgestone Mag Mopus but not much.  The choice was made when I really needed tires but couldn't afford the Bridgestone Battlax BT-45s.  The next set will be either the Battlaxes or, preferably, a set of Avon Super Venoms.  I'm also going back to the original 110/90/18 rear tire size.

The front (100/90/18) is the stock size for the 83 and with the added duties of an additional disc & the fairing, it is a better choice - it has a higher weight rating & many of the 90/90/18s are constructed around a less robust carcass.  The 100s also fill the front fender better.

The paint should be a good learning experience.  I've painted a couple tractors but those were working machines, not really meant to look pretty.  Great learning pieces - lots of long passes on the hood!

H2O

[Riche]

My 82 has the Avon Super Venoms 110 rear (stock size) and the 100 front. I could not be happer with them. The magmops (110) rear and dunlop rib (100) front that were on it when purchased were night and day from the Avons.

If you think you need a larger rear tire think again. Sure if you may think it looks better but as far as handling/ride feel goes the concensus is for the 110. Check the archives. Some members have liked the larger tire, you may too.

To me tires are like helmets/riding gear, you buy the best you can afford/desire. Just another one of the compromises in life.
So whatever you decide... enjoy  :)

[Lucky]

And as for the Battlaxes, I thought they'd be great based on reputation, & they were ok, but the Metzlers are muuuch better, much more stable in the corners & wet weather.  Confidence plays a big role in riding, especially on a group ride. if you push yourself further than your confidence level just to keep up, the rides stops being fun and can turn dangerous.  like a helmet, get the best tires you can afford...

--Lucky

[Rob_OS23]

Hey Lucky,
I checked out the Metzlers site, they have some awesome looking tires.  Which ones am I looking for though for the Vision? Also, what is the best tire you can put on for safety, more than looks?  I have heard of these Avons, and a couple others, just wondering if there is only one way to go when it comes to safety.

[Lucky]

mine are 'Perfect' ME33, which may or may not be discontinued. i'm not sure if the 77 is the incarnation of the 33, someone else might know.

the safest tire is the one your most comefortable with, speed & traction ratings are a good indication.

talk to anyone you know who rides & get opinions.

--Lucky

[Glyn Pickering]

I've gone with Avon Roadrunners, standard sizes. A bit skinny but nice and easy to throw around. They made the same tyre when I was a nipper so they must be OK. No complaints so far. I went fot the higher profile rear. Apparently they are all hand made (by machine) in the UK - where it rains alot like here in NZ.

[Superfly]

I loved my Metzlers, they ran soooo good!  I am running Dunlops now, and wish I had got another set of Metzlers.  Sometimes Variety is not the spice of life!

[Walt_M.]

I'm running the larger tires mostly for treadwear. My original rear wore out in 3K miles. I put a 120/90 Dunlop Sport Elite (110/90 front to keep it level) and had 8K miles on it when I parked it with plenty of tread left. I put IRC Durotours on, same size, when I put her back on the road. 2.5K miles and lots more to go but I'll probably go to something else when these wear out.