Anyone modernised the nose of K11RS or K100RS before?

[JonnyB]

I've been wondering for a while, the K1100RS (I have) looks great from the side, but the front view is a bit too 90's and square for my taste.

Has anyone remade, replaced or modified the nose of the fairing, to shape it into a more contemporary look and tried out some stylish projector lights or something interesting? I guess someone must have, but I've only seen chop/cafe/brat conversions.

Regards, Jonny.

[Laitch]

This thread might interest you, JonnyB.
http://www.k100-forum.com/t1671-how-many-after-market-fairings-for-the-k100

[JonnyB]

Thanks for that, very interesting selection of clothees! I particulaly like the Schmotte fairing. I didn't realise there were so many  production fairings for the bike. But nothing so far I have seen using LEDs or projectors or perhaps a custom integration of a modern fairing to the BMW clothes.

[Laitch]

I think this is where you should be breaking the new ground, JonnyB. Most of the rest of the world is interested in stripping them down until they look anorexic.

[JonnyB]

Yes I think there's an opportunity there. If I can get hold of another front RS fairing (I would rather not screw the original) and something like a Race fairing from a Panigale 1098 (or something similar) and merge the more curved and contemporary front with the existing fairing. Then potentially some lights projector or slim LED type could fit just under the nose cowling, a bit like the new R1.


It would require some very careful fibreglass sculpting, otherwise there is always the option of making up a custom nose from scratch, layering fibreglass on a foam mold.


One weekend when I get some time, that would be a fun project.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

It's something that I too, have been pondering.  It has been in the back of my mind for a couple years to get an old RS fairing with busted windshield supports that I could use as the basis for a plug to make a mold to create a more modern looking fairing that would look original, finished and use as many of the internal fairing bits as possible.

The idea would be to have something that could be attached to the upper part of the main fairing after cutting off the area around the headlight and the windshield.  Maybe even get rid of the now unavailable turn signal/mirror units.

Now that all my bricks are up to just needing regular maintenance it would make an interesting winter project. 

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Another reason to rework the RS fairing would be to allow more of the turbulent airflow to go to the sides rather than up onto the helmet.  This is something that I think modern fairing designs do better than our old RS models.

[The Dude]

I've been wondering for a while, the K1100RS (I have) looks great from the side,but I've only seen chop/cafe/brat conversions.

Regards, Jonny.

No muckin around here.This one's got projector wheels.

[JonnyB]

Good point, I hadn't thought about the improvements from lessening the 'buffeting' (is that the right word) up to the rider's helmet. I've always thought of the RS like, "nice body, shame about he face".


I've seen one custom attempt to change the front of the bike (on google), but I would like to go further and get those 80's rectangular forms out of the way, and make the whole thing more streamlined. That includes getting rid of the big square ears on the sides. (New R1 front)

[Laitch]

I think that R1 front end looks like the head of a myopic bullfrog with the blues.

[JonnyB]

Ha, yes it has spent a bit too long in Gollum's cave. Too much forehead.

[JonnyB]

I found something that looks a bit more modern. Looks to be a Japanese custom with a nice race cowling and off center round light. It doesn't incorporate any of the existing fairing but it is a lot closer to the sort of look I'm after. Anyone know if the fairing is a one off or a production part?

Italian page about it. There's a nice video in there too:
https://rocket-garage.blogspot.com/2016/12/an-bu-k100rs.html

Japanese feature page:
http://customfront.jp/custombike/custom064/

[Martin]

Jonny B not modern have a look at an old BMW R90S or Ducati 750SS.
Regards Martin.

[Laitch]

Jonny B not modern have a look at an old BMW R90S or Ducati 750SS.

The difference shown in JonnyB's example is the plane created by the headlight lens has been eliminated. The headlight has been offset and decreased in diameter, and the nose of the cowl has been streamlined. This links to a translation of the originator's website.

[Martin]

Ooooh  :clap: so it's not a copy of a classic because he couldn't make it symmetrical. I'll go find a coconut tree and ponder the errors of my ways.  :dunno
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"
A repentant Martin.

[bocutter Ed]

This was a John Cabot. Didn't smell a bit.  :dunno

[Laitch]

I'll go find a coconut tree and ponder the errors of my ways.  :dunno
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"

JonnyB only said it was a bit more modern, Martin. Don't be so down on yourself. Wear a hardhat at least and maybe a cup. :giggles

[Martin]

 :2thumbup: I think the Duke is probably one of the best looking production Café style bikes, along with the Ducati Desmo 450 Shotgun. Followed by the R90S . Be still my beating heart. :nono
Regards a lusting Martin.

[Laitch]

:2thumbup: I think the Duke is probably one of the best looking production Café style bikes . . .

I think the Duke looks like Atom Ant or maybe a diminutive praying mantis that has become an atheist.

[Martin]

Laitch deep down you are nothing but a Barvarian barbarian. Go forth and ponder your sins the Duke is art.
Regards a hurt Martin. (who is going for a winter ride)

[JonnyB]

Martin, I agree, of course the look is derived from the old cafe racer/ Rickman style cowlings, which in turn probably derive from the aero industry cowlings of that era, but details that differentiate as Laitch states are the subtle deviations from the symmetrical rounded look; the off centre small HID light and the wavy edge at the top of the screen. I also think features like the angular tank profile of the K bikes encourage sharper edged look overall. That Japanese example was by no means definitive but in the direction I am looking towards.


I would love to see some led units incorporated into a fairing like this but I guess mostly they are used as day time running lights rather than focused beam lights except for a few specialised units such as the newer BMW 1200GS models.

[Martin]

The asymmetrical headlight, looks like a pirate with an eye patch. A mate used to have two bikes I lusted after, a Duke 450 Desmo silver shotgun with Duke 750SS style fairing, and a Beezer Gold Star café. When not in use both bikes parked in his lounge room.
Regards Martin.

[JonnyB]

Very nice singles. That Ducati must be rare now! I went to buy a CX500 from a guy last year on the south coast of Uk. He had a Z1 in his games room next to his pinball machine, and a GSX 1100 Katana in his sitting room behind the sofa. It takes a rare kind of wife to go along an arrangement like that!

[Martin]

I eventually got a Duke 450 RT and I once had a CB500T in the spare bedroom. My wife is definitely a keeper, too expensive to get rid of now at 42 years of  marriage.  :hehehe
Regards Martin.

[JonnyB]

A slight resurrection of this topic... i’m Considering at some stage in the future changing the fairing of my k1100rs. I know some people will cringe at this suggestion but has anyone ever thought of transplanting the fairing of another bike onto this one. I regocnise thatyou’d have to go back to the rolling chassis/engine and build up from there, maybe even transplant the front end of the new donor fairings... but just wondering if it’s possible. You’d also need to find a donor with similar proportions and make a cut out for the engine block.
Do people try this or am I doomed to e d up with a mishapen Frankenstein?