Baker Air Wings troubles

[BamaDrifter64]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I did a quick search of the archives and the internet and couldn't find an answer.

I have Baker Air Wings on my I/S.  The right side has gotten loose where it won't stay open, the wind pushes it out to where it closes off the wrong way.  Anyone know a quick fix?  Thank in advance.

[Master Blaster]

Tigten the round balls.  Its friction that keeps the wing where you want it.  Both top and bottom balls are threaded and used to set the friction.  I usually wrap a piece of leather around mine and tighten with pliers so not to scratch the chrome.

[Robert]

I just bought a set and put them on today and I can say what a difference. Most alll the buffeting is gone and even wide open it seems to smooth the airflow but heres the question. I live is S Fla and it gets pretty hot here and I only have been able to take a short ride but it seems to make things hotter instead of cooler how do you adjust them to make things cooler and do you like them? If you adjust them all the way to get more air is the buffeting still gone?

[Tropic traveler]

Robert, the coolest a Valk can be is with no Wings at all. I noticed the nearly total absence of buffeting with the wings closed too. Totally awesome! Alas, with the wings set on full open the buffeting comes back.   I may take them off for the summer but I will put them back on at the first sign of cool weather!
I stole my Bakers from Kim's Valk right after we bought it, she said she didn't like them so I grabbed them quick! 
I love them for the cold {below 75 degrees} riding we do up here in the frozen north half of Florida. I hate winter but the Bakers make it more tolerable for me.

[Robert]

Tropic do you have the uppers too, I wasnt sure if they all came this way. The reason I ask is if I keep the lowers closed and open the uppers does that still get to hot?

[R J]

Tropic do you have the uppers too, I wasnt sure if they all came this way. The reason I ask is if I keep the lowers closed and open the uppers does that still get to hot?

Open em and close as you desire, test them out at all positions.  I have both upper and lower, in the winter they are both closed. in the hot of the summer, they are both open.

In the fall I have the bottoms closed and the tops open.

They are just like seats, oil tires and etc.  Ya got to play with them to get them to suit your needs.

[Andy]

Mine are due to come off since the weather has finally turned for the better.
Fork deflectors also need removed and install the shorty black windshield for the warm season.

[ridgeman06]

Bama, I have the same problem. I have both uppers and lowers on my tourer. The right one never stays toght anymore. I have to keep tightening the lower ball and the upper 7/16" crown nut.
Just yesterday, I took the top nut off and applied a drop of blue removeable locktite on the threads. Then I tightened the nut to the desired resistance. So far, it seems to be working. I can swing the upper wing without the nut loosening. I think this'll be a good fix.
Take care, Eric

[Robert]

Well I thought I would give a update on the Bakers after I had the ability to ride with them a bit. Likes, cool night still felt good because the wings were closed and just enough heat to keep warm, less buffeting even at 75 mph cooler slower with wings open, dislikes yes hotter at all speeds not by much when open, when open directs air directly on my legs, and I have over come the loosening by changing the washers. Overall I like them and may take them off for the summer but even when open at 75 they do seem to smooth the air flow just enough that the buffeting is mostly gone. Will play with them a bit and see. Thanks for the input guys.

[John U.]

Try leaving the uppers closed and lowers open in hot weather. You'll get air on your legs and still a reduction in buffeting. Fork defectors help reduce buffeting as well.
I'm thinking a vented windshield might be in my future.

[Oss]

i dont think you have the interstate but I do and I took off the fixed part last year and only use the adjustable part.

The only thing the fixed part is good for is when its Really cold or you will be in rain they do keep you drier at speed

Mine are almost always wide open, When the bugs come thru they sort of whirl around in front of me like a mini tornado until I bat em away  Great sport.

[alsvalk]

I really want to add Bakers to my 99 I/S. Anyone experience problems with the Bakers cracking the plastic on the pods at the mounting point?

[dipstick]

I have both uppers and lowers, and with a windshield I find I get more airflow where I want it with the top and bottom open than I get if I were to remove the Air Wings altogether. Now I just have to get a set of the crash bar clamp on type for the wifes C-50.

[Michvalk]

I really want to add Bakers to my 99 I/S. Anyone experience problems with the Bakers cracking the plastic on the pods at the mounting point?

I didn't torque mine down real tight and have had no problems with mine cracking the pods. Just tightened them enough to keep snug. Use the removeable locktight to keep the screws from coming loose. I have never had a problem with mine coming loose or flopping around at speed and they have been to the top of the speed range. Others have had problems with the pods cracking and I think it comes from tightening down too much IMHO.

[paps350]

I love my air wings on my 97 Standard. I keep mine closed most of the time as the buffeting that bounces my helmet and glasses drives me nuts. When hot I open bottoms slightly for a breeze when riding around town.

[valkyriemc]

Try leaving the uppers closed and lowers open in hot weather. You'll get air on your legs and still a reduction in buffeting. Fork defectors help reduce buffeting as well.
I'm thinking a vented windshield might be in my future.

Exactly what I was thinking. I have a Tulsa thats wider and taller than stock on my I/S. Its great in the winter but the summers I'm cooking. Going to contact Tulsa re a vented model of the same shield I have now. I need some air flow here in ne fla.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Dipstick check the board several days ago there was some post about the pods cracking and the repair or prevention of cracks.

[alsvalk]

Michvalk thanks! I saw one report of damage, most say their Ok. Do they make a big difference on the Interstate? I get buffeting past 70 mph or so. I hope the Bakers will eliminate some of that.

[tbone]

  I really want to add Bakers to my 99 I/S. Anyone experience problems with the Bakers cracking the plastic on the pods at the mounting point?



  When I bought my I/S, one side was already broken/cracked at the mounting point. I have ridden
for 2 years with know problem or more cracking. Right side has not shown any signs of cracking. I assume something hit it or the previous owner got to close to something. I love the bakers, great for
all types of weather.

Tbone

[Baloo]

Anyone experience problems with the Bakers cracking the plastic on the pods at the mounting point?

I do. Someone posted regarding this problem the other week. Made me go and check the radiator pods on my 99 IS. I found a small crack starting to develop. So I removed and disassembled the pods and lined them with a piece of aluminum that I had hanging around. I shaped the aluminum plate to fit the inside contours of the top of the pod where the Bakers are putting pressure. I JB Welded the aluminum reinforcements to the inner of the pod's top and reinstalled everything. The 2 screws holding the Bakers now go through the aluminum reinforcement. Hopefully, the additional stiffness brought by the reinforcement will help the plastic to handle the pressure and prevent cracking. I just did it, so I cannot say if my idea works or not...