1992 BMW K75S ABS Front Fairing Repair Options

[ExpatAussieBrick]

Hey guys,

Hope this message finds everyone safe and well.

I have been looking into options regarding the repair of my front fairing. When I bought the bike the previous owner had taken a spill damaging the right side of the windshield and cracking the front centrepiece damaging the bolts that seems to help hold things together and loosing one of them.

Cosmetically it's not that bad but my issue is that it bounces around on rough roads and is kinda annoying.

My questions is to fix this should I consider buying a new centre headlight piece and a new windshield or could this be fixed perhaps with just some new hardware?

I found a new centre fairing piece here.

https://www.bobsbmw.com/store/product/front-fairing-for-bmw-k75s

I attached a picture below of the front of my bike.

[ExpatAussieBrick]

This might make it a bit easier to see what i'm on about.


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[Martin]

I had my screen taken out by a bird at 80 Kph. I glued it together using super glue gel and kicker. The slower setting gel allows you to get it position then hit it with the kicker. The crack was then sanded smooth and the repair was covered with boat anti slip deck tape.
Regards Martin.

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[Chaos]

K75s fairings are notorious for loosening up and shaking even when they're not damaged.  Disassemble and check for loose/missing screws and bolts, especially the 2 10mm bolts holding the center section.  If the mounts are broken use your discretion on repairing or replacing.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

K75s fairings are notorious for loosening up and shaking even when they're not damaged.  Disassemble and check for loose/missing screws and bolts, especially the 2 10mm bolts holding the center section.  If the mounts are broken use your discretion on repairing or replacing.

Absolutely!  Mine loosened up about every 1500-2000 miles on the crap roads I had to ride on.  I'd look down and everything was swinging around. 

I would take the fairing apart and check all the parts.  Except for the windshield, I would replace any part that had a broken spot where a fastener holds something together.  The fairing is cantilevered out and has a bit of stress on it.  Every part of it needs to be solid.

Check all the fasteners, especially the sheet metal screws.  The OEM screws are a tiny bit bigger than what you get at the hardware store and tighten down better.  Get the MaxBMW fiche and check for all the hardware that holds the fairing together.  Make sure that you have all the right fasteners.  If in doubt, I would replace anything that didn't look original.  Check the speed nuts closely to see if any are worn.  They do loosen up with age and miles.  Did a previous owner replace with stainless?  I found that some of the screws in those stainless kits are not metric, and thus, a tiny bit undersize.

Even after going through, you will probably find the fairing still shakes around a bit.  It's part of the charm of the bike when you ride on the crap roads of New York State.

[Martin]

I've never had a problem with my fairing loosening up. However after the bird hit I replaced the nylon plugs and used longer screws to secure the windscreen. It never seemed really all that secure until the modifications.
Regards Martin.

[ExpatAussieBrick]

Thanks guys,

Good answers i'll check the parts fiche at Max BMW for fastners.

It is definitely missing one of the main screws on the right hand side where it's damaged. Will see what I can do.

But yeah it's not that bad and it is part of the character as you say to have it bounce round a bit.

Just thought I should try what I can to improve it and stop it rattling itself to bits. 

The roads in NYC definitely are taking their toll on the poor bike.

The Williamsburg bridge and parts of the BQE are some of the most dangerous potholed roads I have ever been on.

 I am dreaming of smooth roads in my sleep.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Yeah, the Niagara Scenic Parkway that I ride to work will shake your eyeballs out.  The worst stretches of that highway are the ones where they "patched" the broken concrete with asphalt. 

[Bon Jon Bovi]

I guess I’m in for a good time then. I’m five miles from pavement up a gravel and crud road. I actually got rid of an 83 Yamaha Venture because it bounced so badly it kept cracking the old unobtanium Tupperware. The RT has so many fasteners it seems to do okay, but the K makes me nervous with all the shaking and bouncing.

I think that’s a good suggestion about longer OEM screws and new nylon nuts. Maybe a little blue or green Loctite on the 10mm bolts?

[The Mighty Gryphon]

The OEM screws aren't longer, the diameter is larger so they fit better in the speed nus and bushings.  I don't think you need Loctite as long as you are using the wave washers.

[natalena]

Had similar shake and rattle issues when new to me. Disassembled the fairing and replaced a lot of worn bolts, hardware and some missing bolts. The windscreen was remounted with large diameter rubber fender washers underneath, and smaller rubber washers with a stainless top washer to hold everything. It vibrates a lot less if you don't try to screw down the windscreen tight, maybe hand tight + 1/2 turn...if the rubber squishes out, it too tight. Good luck, Cheers!
*sidebar: bought boxes of 304ss panhead screws and nuts on ebay from China, they're good quality Coroneisium material, not the Chineisium. ;) inexpensive!

[Martin]

Do you have the missing corner of the screen? If not a good Perspex supply/ repair shop should be able to cobble up a replacement corner and even do a repair. I believe the deck tape that I use is really hard if not impossible to find in the US, however with a bit of imagination a substitute could be found.
Regards Martin.

[boxer.randy]

I have the same bike as you. A previous owner goobered the fairing up and I got tired of it shaking on rough roads. Take it all apart, note what is missing or broken, go to maxbmw parts fiche, order what you need , rebuild the fairing . It will be fine. Amazingly, essential pieces were missing. Never trust a PO if something seems amiss.