GL1800 newer air deflectors

[Hocky]

Post I wrote to Big Bike Parts:
Received and partially installed B52-865L wind deflectors. Your description states fitment for all years of GL1800, other sites state 2012 & newer. On my 2003 Gl1800 the upper arm bolt can not be installed even thou the holes line up. No way to get behind the hole to attach the washer & nut, not sufficient space. Seems like a blind hole which would need an insert of sorts to secure the bolt. I used a push rived similar to those used in the pockets of GL1800's but it is not a solid secure fit. The bottom arm is secure with the existing bolt. Please forward this to the appropriate department and if possible have them respond to me.Thanks, Ron Hochhauser
*** Any feedback from you Wingers would be appreciated.

[Gold Rush]

Post I wrote to Big Bike Parts:
Received and partially installed B52-865L wind deflectors. Your description states fitment for all years of GL1800, other sites state 2012 & newer. On my 2003 Gl1800 the upper arm bolt can not be installed even thou the holes line up. No way to get behind the hole to attach the washer & nut, not sufficient space. Seems like a blind hole which would need an insert of sorts to secure the bolt. I used a push rived similar to those used in the pockets of GL1800's but it is not a solid secure fit. The bottom arm is secure with the existing bolt. Please forward this to the appropriate department and if possible have them respond to me.Thanks, Ron Hochhauser
*** Any feedback from you Wingers would be appreciated.

Ron, I don't see a fix for your situation other then to return the deflectors to Big Bike Parts for a refund. It's clear from the installation instructions this unit is designed to go on 2012 and newer GL1800s. You'll probably have to give them a call and get an RA. Sorry you ran into the issue. I've found it's a good idea to read the install directions when they make them available. It has saved me from this same situation a couple times.

Hope you have a satisfactory resolution.

[Hocky]

Ron, I don't see a fix for your situation other then to return the deflectors to Big Bike Parts for a refund. It's clear from the installation instructions this unit is designed to go on 2012 and newer GL1800s. You'll probably have to give them a call and get an RA. Sorry you ran into the issue. I've found it's a good idea to read the install directions when they make them available. It has saved me from this same situation a couple times.

Hope you have a satisfactory resolution.

Gold Rush, Thanks for the interest. They're on & I like them. I just need to better secure the top arm. Thanks. I'll post my solution when I find a better solution. Their web site states 2001 > 2012 fitment.

[Gold Rush]

Gold Rush, Thanks for the interest. They're on & I like them. I just need to better secure the top arm. Thanks. I'll post my solution when I find a better solution. Their web site states 2001 > 2012 fitment.

Since you are determined to keep these deflectors you might look into some sort of blind nut arrangement. I remember several years ago I stripped out one of the side bolt nut plates on my '01 GL1800. I JB Welded an actual nut in and it worked great... I'd bet some version of a spring clip nut plate would do the job for you.

Good Luck.

[Hocky]

Will do, thanks.............

[Solidbob]

I use these on lots of things, the hole will have to be larger, no lube on the rubber, but place a very small amount of silicone lube on the bolt so it can be removed later easier..... Lowes in various sizes ..... or as goldrush said a small amount of JB Weld on the rubber and push onto tuperware til secure, no larger hole needed if you can get to the area.... always use the brass or S/S ones so they can be removed. Have always worked for me....

http://www.lowes.com/Hardware/Fasten.../N-1z0v0zo/pl#!

I use them alot on my boat and it takes a pounding.... Just FYI

[Hocky]

I use these on lots of things, the hole will have to be larger, no lube on the rubber, but place a very small amount of silicone lube on the bolt so it can be removed later easier..... Lowes in various sizes ..... or as goldrush said a small amount of JB Weld on the rubber and push onto tuperware til secure, no larger hole needed if you can get to the area.... always use the brass or S/S ones so they can be removed. Have always worked for me....

http://www.lowes.com/Hardware/Fasten.../N-1z0v0zo/pl#!

I use them alot on my boat and it takes a pounding.... Just FYI

Thanks, great! Good info........

[tfdeputydawg]

"SMOKE WIND DEFLECTOR, Lower Side Fairing, For GL1800 Goldwing 2001-12" I'm even more confused after watching the video and reading the installation instructions!!!!!!! Video shows a 2012 or newer bike. Install instructions could be interpreted as fitting any air bag model. Also, the instructions tell you to start removing the fairing trim at the top That's a no-no on the 2001 to 2010 models as there is a tab on the top edge of the trim that goes into a slot in the fairing. I was instructed to start at the bottom!

[Hocky]

"SMOKE WIND DEFLECTOR, Lower Side Fairing, For GL1800 Goldwing 2001-12" I'm even more confused after watching the video and reading the installation instructions!!!!!!! Video shows a 2012 or newer bike. Install instructions could be interpreted as fitting any air bag model. Also, the instructions tell you to start removing the fairing trim at the top That's a no-no on the 2001 to 2010 models as there is a tab on the top edge of the trim that goes into a slot in the fairing. I was instructed to start at the bottom!

Yep, I figured that out. Plus the video shows an additional piece attached to the bottom right side trim? Fit is good on my 2003 except trying to attach the top arm, not enough room to get behind with a washer/nut. I'm working on that. What year is yours?

[tfdeputydawg]

Mines a 2006 but, I went with Baker products!

[Hocky]

Mines a 2006 but, I went with Baker products!

I used Bakers on my 96' & 2000. Didn't like how they mount on GL1800's. Bakers are the best! thx for the interest...........

[Wingrider44]

I'm thinking about putting the Baker Trike Wings on my 2002 GL1800 Trike. I'd like to know from those who've owned them if they are worth the effort of putting them on. First of all, is there a reduction in the bug splatter on the fenders? Secondly, Baker claims to increase fuel mileage by a couple of mpg. Is that a reasonable expectation?

Talking about fuel mileage. I'm getting about 31-32 MPG. Is that about right? My riding is a lot of highway riding but not a huge amount of Interstate riding. In other words, most of the time I'm below 70 MPH. When I ride the interstate, I ride between 75 and 80 and the mileage is freaking awful.

Any insight? Or is this about all I can expect. If the Baker Trike Wings will give me an additional 2 MPG, I will purchase them.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Gold Rush]

31 to 32 mpg at 75 to 80 mph is not bad mileage. I've had the Baker Trike Wings on both of my trikes and know they deflect wind out away from the rear fenders. As for two mpg increase..... Maybe in the right conditions. I did see one mpg boost..

Hope that helps.

[Wingrider44]

31 to 32 mpg at 75 to 80 mph is not bad mileage. I've had the Baker Trike Wings on both of my trikes and know they deflect wind out away from the rear fenders. As for two mpg increase..... Maybe in the right conditions. I did see one mpg boost..

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the response, Gold Rush. I was getting 31 to 32 mpg at below 70 mph. At 75 to 80 mph I'm lucky to get 28.....maybe. The rear fenders do provide a large surface area to push through the air. So it makes sense that the wings would deflect the air and reduce the pressure against the fenders.

Thanks again.

You've been helpful.

[Gold Rush]

Don't know if this would interest you but someone will be interested. A big side benefit to the Trike Wings is the reduced turbulence for the passenger. Air hitting the fenders goes right up into the passenger. The Trike Wings vastly reduces that.

[knob]

Don't know if this would interest you but someone will be interested. A big side benefit to the Trike Wings is the reduced turbulence for the passenger. Air hitting the fenders goes right up into the passenger. The Trike Wings vastly reduces that.

I assume that during the summer the trike wings make it a bit warmer for both the rider and the passenger?

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I put all the Baker Wind Wings (Mirrors, Fairing and Large trike leg wings) on my new 06 Trike as soon as I bought it.
After all these years of riding, I have only a few real small stone chips on the rear fenders but more on the large leg wings. I wouldn't be without them.

[dawingrider]

Post I wrote to Big Bike Parts:

Received and partially installed B52-865L wind deflectors. Your description states fitment for all years of GL1800, other sites state 2012 & newer. On my 2003 Gl1800 the upper arm bolt can not be installed even thou the holes line up. No way to get behind the hole to attach the washer & nut, not sufficient space. Seems like a blind hole which would need an insert of sorts to secure the bolt. I used a push rived similar to those used in the pockets of GL1800's but it is not a solid secure fit. The bottom arm is secure with the existing bolt. Please forward this to the appropriate department and if possible have them respond to me.Thanks, Ron Hochhauser

*** Any feedback from you Wingers would be appreciated.

Let us know if you receive a response from Big Bike. I ordered a set for my '06 and am interested in their solution, if any.

[Hocky]

Let us know if you receive a response from Big Bike. I ordered a set for my '06 and am interested in their solution, if any.

Typical solution was >> Sorry you're having trouble. You can return them!

So far they're secure. Did a 300 mile round trip and still secure. Let me know how your installation goes.

[schiel1]

Without actualy knowing your entire situation and my bike is a 2012 (below the controls also hard to get under. Maybe this would work for you. I purchased an off brand from a family over in Lakeland Florida that actually designs and fabricates them themselves (great product too) To install one of the brackets it came with very short "Molly Anchors" the directions were to drill a whole for the anchor and attach the bracket using them. worked great. As long as you have the room underneath you should be fine.
Here is a link to what they look like. Don't go by the specific item. I just put there for the photo of the type of anchor I am talking about. I would go to a hardware store to find them.

http://www.amazon.com/Inch-Long-Moll...g+molly+achors