Triumph Thruxton Fairing fitted to Norton 961 - I want one (a lot)!

He gets a chuckle from the young guys who show up with a new sportbike. They all have the magazine review theoretical et and fully expect to better that. Of course that is usually a calculated number based on claimed horsepower and dry weight, two things manufacturers sometimes fib about. And then it is based on the ultimate perfect run, not happening with a firstimer.
Instead of running in the mid tens as expected, they run in the high 12s. That alone is a bummer, then the guy who just beat them on the old man's poser bike takes off his helmet- and he's a senior citizen! Not good!
Ret, the Thrux drag racer tells us that some have their bikes modified for power after losing. Others just purchase a new machine with even more power. They remain quite beatable.
Others hunker down and learn how to manage the power that their existing bikes have. They can get really quick, but never magazine quick.

Getting back to the fairing, that Omega fairing looks great on the website. The price is crazy low compared to North American or UK costs to make something like that.

Glen
 

worntorn said:
He gets a chuckle from the young guys who show up with a new sportbike. They all have the magazine review theoretical et and fully expect to better that. Of course that is usually a calculated number based on claimed horsepower and dry weight, two things manufacturers sometimes fib about. And then it is based on the ultimate perfect run, not happening with a firstimer.
Instead of running in the mid tens as expected, they run in the high 12s. That alone is a bummer, then the guy who just beat them on the old man's poser bike takes off his helmet- and he's a senior citizen! Not good!
Ret, the Thrux drag racer tells us that some have their bikes modified for power after losing. Others just purchase a new machine with even more power. They remain quite beatable.
Others hunker down and learn how to manage the power that their existing bikes have. They can get really quick, but never magazine quick.

Getting back to the fairing, that Omega fairing looks great on the website. The price is crazy low compared to North American or UK costs to make something like that.

Glen
Click to expand...
:D
 
worntorn said:
He gets a chuckle from the young guys who show up with a new sportbike. They all have the magazine review theoretical et and fully expect to better that. Of course that is usually a calculated number based on claimed horsepower and dry weight, two things manufacturers sometimes fib about. And then it is based on the ultimate perfect run, not happening with a firstimer.
Instead of running in the mid tens as expected, they run in the high 12s. That alone is a bummer, then the guy who just beat them on the old man's poser bike takes off his helmet- and he's a senior citizen! Not good!
Ret, the Thrux drag racer tells us that some have their bikes modified for power after losing. Others just purchase a new machine with even more power. They remain quite beatable.
Others hunker down and learn how to manage the power that their existing bikes have. They can get really quick, but never magazine quick.

Getting back to the fairing, that Omega fairing looks great on the website. The price is crazy low compared to North American or UK costs to make something like that.

Glen
Click to expand...
I’ll let you guys know the pricing when Omega get back to me. Hoping it will be reasonable, noting that modification and painting could be quite expensive.
 
Mmmmmm, need to pay more attention; the fairing is on the Omega Racer Shop site under Triumph - ‘Modern Classics up to 2016’

Looks good polished too!

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I'm loving the shape of the Sergio fairing.
But is anyone concerned about an aluminum fairing turning into an aluminum meat slicer if you high side on the bike?
Fiberglass cracks easily, and ABS bends, aluminum, well, doesn't.
 
BritTwit said:
I'm loving the shape of the Sergio fairing.
But is anyone concerned about an aluminum fairing turning into an aluminum meat slicer if you high side on the bike?
Fiberglass cracks easily, and ABS bends, aluminum, well, doesn't.
Click to expand...
Had’nt thought about it, am now:oops:!

Forty years of riding and I’ve never highsided a bike on the road; don’t ride the track. That’s not to say it could’nt occur, as obviously it could! The Sergio fairing also has mounting arms towards the end of the upper fairing sections, just above the level of the bars.

I guess that in the end it‘s what the rider decides to be an acceptable level of risk. Not too different I suppose than choosing to wear an open face helmet. We all know that they are less safe than full face but many choose to wear them anyway, for very good reasons.

Its worth giving more thought to though, when weighing up the pros and cons of such a mod. I wonder how carbon fibre would perform in the meat slicer stakes?

Note the leather tank strap that we have discussed in other threads. Sergio is a bit of a styling trail blazer!

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BritTwit said:
I'm loving the shape of the Sergio fairing.
But is anyone concerned about an aluminum fairing turning into an aluminum meat slicer if you high side on the bike?
Fiberglass cracks easily, and ABS bends, aluminum, well, doesn't.
Click to expand...
All would hurt lol.
 
Dunno about the meat slicer part, but I do know that thin sheet alloy doesn’t like vibration, especially at the mounting points, and 961s vibrate.

I’d suggest care when mounting to ensure zero stress. And use of rubber washers etc to isolate the fairing from the vibes.

To each his own etc... for me, brown leather is for clothing and handbags, not motorcycles...!
 
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Fast Eddie said:
Dunno about the meat slicer part, but I do know that thin sheet alloy doesn’t like vibration, especially at the mounting points, and 961s vibrate.

I’d suggest care when mounting to ensure zero stress. And use of rubber washers etc to isolate the fairing from the vibes.

well, it looks nice, but is the screen a good functional shape when riding?
Click to expand...
 
Is the screen a functional shape when riding?

I think I can answer that as the Thrux R screen isn't a lot different.
Yes and no.
I have ducked down behind it when riding for hours in very strong and gusty crosswinds and headwinds. These were reported as 60-70 mph gusts.
It was a scrunch to get down behind the screen, not comfortable but necessary.
I was a bit envious of my riding buddy on his BMW 1200rt with its giant power operated full height windshield.
Then I saw one gust nearly take him and his bike right off the highway. The same gust moved the Triumph sideways a foot or two but that was it.
In a situation like that it is far better to have a bullet shaped bike with some openings to let wind through, like the 1/4 faired Triumph vs a big sealed box with vertical sheet of plywood at front like the BMW. After a couple of hours of battling the wind my friend was worn right out.
For me it wasn't fun, but it wasn't a big problem on the Thruxton. I was very glad to have the fairing though.

In normal riding, on the Thruxton at least, the riders upper chest and head get blasted by air coming over the screen. At 70 mph and above this lifts the upper body enough to negate any weight on the wrists. So you are tilted forward on the bike and the weight that normally comes off the spine and onto the wrists is taken care of by this uplift.
This , for me is a really comfortable ride. My usual back problems that occur at around 4-500 kms on the situp bikes do not occur when riding in this state.
I've done a number of 700 km days on it and one 1100 km day.
The fairing should give a similar effect on the 961?

Glen
 
Fast Eddie said:
Dunno about the meat slicer part, but I do know that thin sheet alloy doesn’t like vibration, especially at the mounting points, and 961s vibrate.

I’d suggest care when mounting to ensure zero stress. And use of rubber washers etc to isolate the fairing from the vibes.

To each his own etc... for me, brown leather is for clothing and handbags, not motorcycles...!
Click to expand...
Noted about the vibes Eddie.

I’m guessing this Indian is not for you then?!

2D06C3C7-1CE7-4677-96E1-AFF0875EA59E.jpeg
 
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While you guys get your jollies over leather/not-leather...
(there's a dominat... trix line going begging somewhere here!)

I like the look of the OP fairing but I would like one that:
  • Like that fairing, aligns with the bottom of the tank. (Interstate though)
  • Is fibreglass (less risk of later life cracking)
  • Allows use of handlebars - say 90-100mm above top yoke - no clip-ons.
  • Has a screen that offers wind protection without having to lie on the tank - not talking big cruiser though.
  • No new tank a-la Worntorn
  • I would prefer to keep instruments mounted on top fork nuts.
Anyone with leads toward this direction, please chime in!
 
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robs ss said:
While you guys get your jollies over leather/not-leather...
(there's a dominat... trix line going begging somewhere here!)

I like the look of the OP fairing but I would like one that:
  • Like that fairing, aligns with the bottom of the tank. (Interstate though)
  • Is fibreglass (less risk of later life cracking)
  • Allows use of handlebars - say 90-100mm above top yoke - no clip-ons.
  • Has a screen that offers wind protection without having to lie on the tank - not talking big cruiser though.
  • No new tank a-la Worntorn
  • I would prefer to keep instruments mounted on top fork nuts.
Anyone with leads toward this direction, please chime in!
Click to expand...
Hi Rob,

I get your more practical requests here. Keeping the higher bars for comfort, wind protection from the screen etc. I guess there‘s always likely to be a compromise between aesthetics and practicality. The addition of the fairing for me would primarily be a styling choice and would definitely only work with the Cafe Racer - my opinion only. I would of course welcome additional protection along with a slipear machine. Got to be good for at least 5mph on the top end right!?;)

Anybody else have an opinion on the immovable nature of the ally fairing, with those upper mounts? Is this something that would bother you?
 
It's a slick look for the 961, for sure.
I would be tempted to mount a polished alloy tank, leave the fairing's polished finish, and then repaint the seat cowling "chrome".
You'd have an IoM replica - well, 961 version anyway.
On a sunny day you'd burn the eyeballs out of everyone's head on the motorway.:cool:
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Anybody else have an opinion on the immovable nature of the ally fairing, with those upper mounts? Is this something that would bother you?
Click to expand...
I think the fairing looks neat and is the way I had intended to go, along with ally tank, a custom ally tail piece and high rise pipes. My only question re: the fairing being mounted to the tank mount is that the tank must be readily removable, as we all know how frequently the darn thing needs to come off!
 
Picked up the reference to TAB Classics (UK based) from the 961 FB page. E-Mailed them about an alloy tank for the 961. This was their response. Their tanks look really well made. May be of interest to those involved in the group buy, if that does not come to fruition.

Triumph Thruxton Fairing fitted to Norton 961 - I want one (a lot)!
 
Getting close to judgement Day. Tank all sealed up, still needs polishing. Very happy with 22 litre capacity and shape. At the last minute I added two small indents in the forward edge. This allowed a considerable increase in lock to lock or turning circle.
There is going to be about 70 degrees total sweep.
After watching a video of a J.A.P. engined Featherbed being ridden, the indents became a must. That bike had a custom alloy tank that only allowed a tiny turn each way. Most annoying!
I do not care for a bike that requires 80 back and forths a to negotiate around some garbage tins or a parked car!



 
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