XS with Windjammer!

JesseeS

JesseeS

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I know these are the red headed step child, but I absolutely love them. Finally got one fitted on my bike, with a working cassette player and everything! Going to trim down the windshield just a bit, as the vetter folks have had good luck with slightly smaller windshields for summer months. The functionality of these are fantastic.

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Very cool - and I don't accept that they are ugly. Back in the late 1970s these were the thing!

I also had a '75 XS650B and I found an el-cheap Vetter Windjammer knock-off called a Torque Commuter and it worked great! The bike wasn't fast, but it was adequate for cruising and I took some very long trips with it. Interestingly, I still got a solid 50-54 mpg regardless of the fairing.

Anyhow - you've got a great touring rig there and so enjoy!

Pete
 
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JesseeS.....
When I had my Windjammer in my other bike it really funneled the engine noise up to me.... with it on there I couldn't hear anything but the engine ! and as loud as this XS650 is I am really wondering if I'll be able to hear the exhaust over the engine noise ! so I havn't put it on.
and sense I don't ride in the Rain anymore there is little sense in putting one on my machine now....
does it amplify the engine noise ????
.....
Bob......
 
MaxPete said:
View attachment 102823 View attachment 102822 Very cool - and I don't accept that they are ugly. Back in the late 1970s these were the thing!

I also had a '75 XS650B and I found an el-cheap Vetter Windjammer knock-off called a Torque Commuter and it worked great! The bike wasn't fast, but it was adequate for cruising and took some very long trips with it. Interestingly, I still got a solid 50-54 mpg regardless of the fairing.

Anyhow - you've got a great touring rig there and so enjoy!

Pete
Click to expand...

Pete, Great pics! I love seeing older photos of when they were new and in all their glory. That commuter looks rad. Did it have the same type of storage compartments? They are practical as all get out, more storage than I could ever need. You're right about the bike not being the fastest, that's why we get to have other bikes as well! But for cruising and checking out the scenery, the bike does great and I love it. The fairing just makes the trips more tolerable. I'll have to check out my mileage with and without it and see what I end up with
 
Bob Kelly III said:
JesseeS.....
When I had my Windjammer in my other bike it really funneled the engine noise up to me.... with it on there I couldn't hear anything but the engine ! and as loud as this XS650 is I am really wondering if I'll be able to hear the exhaust over the engine noise ! so I havn't put it on.
and sense I don't ride in the Rain anymore there is little sense in putting one on my machine now....
does it amplify the engine noise ????
.....
Bob......
Click to expand...

Bob, I have not noticed increased engine noise, although I only took it for a quick rip around the block so far. I wear a full faced helmet and can't really hear much besides the wind. On my next real ride with it I'll do one helmet on and helmet off to see if I notice anything.
 
You can tell just sitting on the bike ! it's allot noisier with a fearing on there, at least it was on mine.....
I welded the brackets to the frame under the gas tank and bolted to it and the fearing was Solid ! I am just wondering if My method of attachment was what made it so noisy ! LOL
.... can't beat a fearing for cold weather riding !
I made Lowers for my machine from heavy thick floor mat under office chairs, cut to fit and added a bracket below the motor mount and had a full fairing ! I loved it.... I took it off for summer riding and then had the house fire and the bike melted but the fairing was further away behind the shed and it survived .... LOL
.....
Don't ride without your helmet even for a bit it's not that important !!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA !
....
Bob,.....
 
To me, with the Windjammer on your bike, it looks unbalanced. Cafe racer rear and touring bike front. In the 70's pics with the full fender and luggage rack and the Windjammer it looks very balanced.
 
I had the Windjammers little brother the Quicksilver. It was a great little frame mounted fairing. I think Windjammers were such great fairings and they are a wonderful period piece and a part of motorcycle history.
I think you are lucky to have a nice example.
Here's a little photo of the Quicksilver ( not my bike) although I had it on an XS750
image.jpeg
 
I really wanted a Quicksilver - but couldn't afford a real one and there was no knock-offs.

JESSE - as I recall it, the Commuter had storage pockets like the Windjammer but they were smaller and had covers that were fully removable and so not as convenient as the hinged covers or the flexible tonneaus.
 
My windjammers both had tanu type covers and they were worse than useless because they were so tight you had to work for 5 minutes to get them fastened..... so I never used the fearing's storage at all....
I had hard saddle bags and they were the type you could unlock and take with you ! I loved them but they were UGLY it looked like 2 suit cases on the back of the bike...not saddle bags like on the later honda's with smooth corners.....
but they served their purpose well and I always had at least one saddle bag full of rain gear and the other had extra tools ! LOL
..... i put on many miles like that..... made me learn to love good weather too ! HAHAHAHA!
.....
Bob.......
 
I have a Windjammer Esprit 1, frame mounted with hardware for a '74 etc., FREE to anyone that wants to pick it up. PM me, I've been moving this thing around for the past 20 years. It has survived the burning barrel for 20 years, just saving it for you.

Scott
 
mrtwowheel said:
I have a Windjammer Esprit 1, frame mounted with hardware for a '74 etc., FREE to anyone that wants to pick it up. PM me, I've been moving this thing around for the past 20 years. It has survived the burning barrel for 20 years, just saving it for you.

Scott
Click to expand...

Got a photo Scott?
 
Sounds good! We just got a huge rainstorm over here and more is expected this evening.

Hopefully the weather won't mess up the....

....first SE-MI / SW-ONT Meet-up. Here are the details:
  • DATE: Sat. July 15 - 2017
  • TIME: 11:00 AM (that will ensure that we get a table and give us time to oggle each other's bikes)
  • I expect we will wrap up by sometime around 1:30-2:00 PM.
  • LOC: Vinsetta Garage Restaurant (a very cool, 1920s filling station/garage that has been remodelled into a really good diner.
27799 Woodward Ave.
Berkley, MI 48072
(248) 548-7711

I have called Vinsetta Garage and they do not take reservations - but the lady told me that if we arrive right when they open at 11:00 AM - there will not be a problem getting a table.

NOTE: XS650s preferred - BUT - ALL BIKES (or even cars) are most WELCOME!

Ride (or even drive) whatcha got folks - but come and have a burger with us!

Are YOU going to be able to come Mr. TwoWheel?

Oh dear me - another hijack....

Pete
 
azman857 said:
To me, with the Windjammer on your bike, it looks unbalanced. Cafe racer rear and touring bike front. In the 70's pics with the full fender and luggage rack and the Windjammer it looks very balanced.
Click to expand...
The seat is temporary. The bike has gone through so many changes and like a fool, chopped off the rear hoop a while ago. I have a new hoop and am getting it welded on soon with another full size seat. I also have a luggage rack and a couple of soft saddle bags that will be mounted up as well!
 
Mailman said:
I had the Windjammers little brother the Quicksilver. It was a great little frame mounted fairing. I think Windjammers were such great fairings and they are a wonderful period piece and a part of motorcycle history.
I think you are lucky to have a nice example.
Here's a little photo of the Quicksilver ( not my bike) although I had it on an XS750
View attachment 102830
Click to expand...
Awesome! And thank you. I think the quicksilvers are slick, alas, they are extremely expensive on eBay and do not come up around here. Although if one came around for the right price I'd definitely grab one
 
MaxPete said:
Sounds good! We just got a huge rainstorm over here and more is expected this evening.

Hopefully the weather won't mess up the....

....first SE-MI / SW-ONT Meet-up. Here are the details:
  • DATE: Sat. July 15 - 2017
  • TIME: 11:00 AM (that will ensure that we get a table and give us time to oggle each other's bikes)
  • I expect we will wrap up by sometime around 1:30-2:00 PM.
  • LOC: Vinsetta Garage Restaurant (a very cool, 1920s filling station/garage that has been remodelled into a really good diner.
27799 Woodward Ave.
Berkley, MI 48072
(248) 548-7711

I have called Vinsetta Garage and they do not take reservations - but the lady told me that if we arrive right when they open at 11:00 AM - there will not be a problem getting a table.

NOTE: XS650s preferred - BUT - ALL BIKES (or even cars) are most WELCOME!

Ride (or even drive) whatcha got folks - but come and have a burger with us!

Are YOU going to be able to come Mr. TwoWheel?

Oh dear me - another hijack....

Pete
Click to expand...
I don't mind threadjacks for cool xs related stuff! Wish it was more local!
 
Jump on that old gal and hit the road Jesse - you'd be here easily by Saturday!

Pete
 
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Alright, those pictures look better than the real thing but there are no cracks. The windshield is not bad, can be buffed. The windshield hardware can be easily replaced, rusty. There is no key for the compartment cover but it is off and could be fixed with a common cabinet lock. The headlight trim ring can be painted. Those are decals that can be removed before buffing or painting. I'm shocked that the headlight was never scavenged. I can't find a manufacturer on it, it must be Windjammer. The inside shell seems to be a styrene and the outside shell is probably ABS. Both compartment covers seem to be in good shape and the wire harness seems to be all there. There are no turn signals on it, somewhere the originals are relocated.

Scott
 
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