Woodies faring and gauge relocation

[pancho]

I am thinking about placing an order for a Woodies faring and am wondering about the tach/spedo relocation... mainly, do the gauges now seem to be in your face?? can you easily control the stereo while riding with the gauges where they are?? I would appreciate any input on the faring setup and rideability from anyone who has gone with GWoods faring.

[salty1]

As I recall from previous posts, the gauges will need to be relocated. Or was that for a Memphis batwing?      Anyway, I'm sure BF will see this post and He will fill you in on all that is required. He has a gorgeous black Valk with the Woody fairing as well as other very nice appointments he has made. 

[BF]

I'm at work right now.....I'll post a reply late tonight or in the a.m.

[pancho]

I look forward to your input BF,, I thought I was going to go with the Tsykayu (I wanted a GPS stereo), but there are problems with the gauges not being able to live on the bars.

[jimmytee]

When I ordered my Woody a couple years ago, I had similar questions. I was contemplating the installation of a Dakota digital dash in place of relocating the gauges. After talking it over with BF, I decided to go with the relocation kit. The Dakota would have been an expensive option, I think cool, but expensive. After installing my relocation kit and My Woody's fairing, I can say I really like their new position. No they don't interfere at all with the operation of the stereo. I also have a remote mounted to the left side handlebar for easy operation, but it's no problem to reach the actual stereo. The gauges are actually easier to read and seem quite natural in their new position.

I will give you some heads up when you shop for a stereo/head unit . If you desire a remote, look for a unit with a marine wired or RF option remote. A couple of reasons. My remote is an IR remote that works fine most of the time, but sometimes under bright sunlight, the sun seems to wash out the IR and the remote doesn't work. A RF or a wired remote will solve this. Also, I've gotten used to my remote, but it has many buttons that means the buttons are smaller than I would like for a gloved hand. I've seen several of the wired marine remotes that have way fewer buttons and thus the few buttons on the remote are much bigger.I have another Kenwood head unit that can utilize a wired remote and so I'm thinking of swapping it out.  

[pancho]

Thanks jimmytee,, that's all good information. If I move on this, the wait time to ship right now is 6-7 weeks, so it will be awhile before I am ready for head unit selections,, I'll remember what you mentioned about the IR remote..

[Bighead]

Pancho have you called Glenn and talked with him? I know when I ordered mine the web site said 6-7 weeks but I got mine in 3
I still don't have mine all back together but have sat on it with the gauges relocated and don't think they will be a problem or in the way or head unit.

[pancho]

Hey Bighead,, I emailed him and he replied with the 6-7 weeks time frame. Thats alright,, got a nice clearview in the meantime. How does that headlight relocation work?   Looking to see some shots of yours when it is back together with the paint.

[BF]

I am thinking about placing an order for a Woodies faring and am wondering about the tach/spedo relocation... mainly, do the gauges now seem to be in your face?? can you easily control the stereo while riding with the gauges where they are?? I would appreciate any input on the faring setup and rideability from anyone who has gone with GWoods faring.

Here ya go....I took some pics when I came home from work tonight (the outter fairing shell and windshield are off the bike at the moment).  Judge for yourself.....





With the head unit's face plate lowered in the down position.....







I don't think the guages are in the way at all.  At first, I had the normal reservations about putting them up on the handle bars, but after I put them there, I like them there better than before.  I can see them better now and they seem natural there to me.  

Here's a short video right after I had wired up the stereo and everything else to see if it all worked.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DopsCiNyR6E

Here, you can see where, on what (Ram mount) and how I mounted my head unit's remote (it's a standard IR remote)....







I mounted one of those licence tag lighted bolts that you can buy just about anywhere to illuminate the remote for riding at night.  It's switched so that I can turn it off if I want/need.  





I haven't had any issues with my remote working in direct sunlight, but it's just an IR remote and if you stick something in the way of it (like a water bottle or something), the signall will be blocked.  I used to have my Barefoot Willies cup holder mounted on the left....but with the remote, the cup holder became an issue and I moved it to the right handle bar so the remote had a clear line of site to the head unit.  

As for "rideability", I don't think it gets any better behind a fairing.  You can tune it to block all of the wind, some of the wind or you can get all of the wind with a simple change of windshields.  

On a Woody's fairing, you can change windshields in a minute or two.  It's nothing to change out a shield.  Losen the three bolts/nuts and pull the shield out and slid another shield in....tighen the bolts/nuts and you're done.  

I have a 4" solid black thumbnail windshield for when it's sumertime balls hot and I want to get all of the wind.  I have a 7" in light tint that is on the bike for most of the year......and I have a 10" light tint shield that I use during the cold part of the year.  The 7 and 10 inch shields have a recurve at the top.  A 10" shield is about the same as the OEM Honda windseild.  

I used Fast Aire "aero" shields.  These......

http://www.fastaire.com/Aero.html

There's at least one other company that I know of that offers recurve shields, but I don't have any direct expericene with them.

http://www.longrideshields.com/searchresults.asp?cat=1823

[jimmytee]

Another thing to notice is that BF installed extra neautral,brights,and turn indicator lights on the fairing. It looks really nice, but you don't need to do this. The stock lights on the headlight are clearly visible.

As far as the remote, i've actually been riding with the sun shining on the face of the radio, and no response from the remote until going under the shade of passing trees. Most of the time not problem, just every once in awhile. The marine remotes tend to be IR or wired for this specific reason.

[pancho]

I really appreciate the time and pictures BF,, I actually like the relocated indicator lights, I think I may need to do something similar on a quick disconnect plug to add that finished touch. Although the Woodies faring is not a "quick disconnect", I can see wanting to change it out for the windshield sometimes,, sort of looks like a semi major job.

I wonder about the headlight relocation deal. Where does it go.. what does the mount look like??  I will probably cut my own handlebar clamps out of aluminum stock on a mill to get them the way I want, (sort of like doing that stuff once in awhile), and can bend out the headlight relocation piece if I know where the headlight needs to go. Also the "radio door",, is it truly waterproof.. I mean can you run in a downpour if necessary without any worries?

How many watts do you guys drive those speakers with,, and can you use the stereos at highway speeds and actually hear what you are listening to?     I want to load up my memory sticks with good preaching and while away the hours with some good learning......  that will be a sight.

[Bighead]

Pancho the headlight relocator just bolt to the back of the bucket and slides it forward just a bit and is hidden when the fairing is on.
I also relocated my signal lights to where BF put his.

Jimmy how can you see the signal indicators with the fairing on? They are covered by the fairing on mine at least. I cut the holes for mine in the fairing with a dremel and got some little plastic plugs and put them in the top of the bucket where they were and used silicone to stop water from running in.

[jimmytee]

Pancho the headlight relocator just bolt to the back of the bucket and slides it forward just a bit and is hidden when the fairing is on.
I also relocated my signal lights to where BF put his.

Jimmy how can you see the signal indicators with the fairing on? They are covered by the fairing on mine at least. I cut the holes for mine in the fairing with a dremel and got some little plastic plugs and put them in the top of the bucket where they were and used silicone to stop water from running in.

On mine, the lights on the headlight are plainly visible between the two relocated gauges. Don't get me wrong, I like what BF did on his, but as far as function, I do not have the need to do it. The fairing actually shades those indicator lights allowing them to appear brighter than they otherwise would on a bright sunny day. I've got my front end apart. Just rebuilt the forks with progressive springs and replaced the steering head bearings. In the process of polishing my forks to a mirror shine, otherwise I'd post a pic. My Woody's is sitting in the corner of my garage at the moment. If you look at the pics of BF's up top , you'll see the neutral indicator glowing there between Bf's gauges.

[pancho]

Hey Jimmytee,, since you have your front all apart, could you take a picture of that headlight relocation bracket so I can take a look at it?? Also, how does your stereo perform at highway speeds?, can you hear it clearly?

[Bighead]

Pancho jimmy did an upgrade on his speakers and installed an amp.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,54888.0.html
I too will probably do something similar at a later date will be an easy upgrade as the fairing comes apart easily and dash will still be on bike.

Jimmy did you put the headlight relocation bracket on yours? Just asking because I don't remember seeing my indicators with the fairing mounted. Might could have but just don't remember.but looking at  BF's last picture it looks like he still has his in his headlight bucket along with the ones top mounted.

[etiwandablues]

Here's a pic of XF6 Customs relo bracket. FWIW, I'm finishing up a Woody's fairing install with the gauges mounted in the fairing, no radio, and plan to post some pics in a week or two.

[BF]

Yep, my indicator lights are still in the bucket and functional.  I looked at the parts fisch on Directline and ordered an extra harness and bulbs to do what I wanted.  I used the wiring diagram from the Interstate to figure out how to wire in a left and right turn signal.  I just spliced into the harness in the headlight bucket to wire how I needed and ran them up to the fairing.  



The above pic was when I was wiring in my amp.  

Without an amp, and the speakers that Glenn provides with the fairing, you can hear your stereo pretty well around town......full-on highway speeds....not so much.  

I installed a Rockford fosgate 4 channel 300 watt amp and replaced the speakers with Alpines.  I can jam at any speed.  

The speakers that come with the fairing are 5"....unless Glenn provides something else now.  If you upgrade to a better speaker, they'll most likely be a 5 1/4" speaker....and you'll need to enlarge the holes a tad.  I did that with a drum sander on cordless drill.





In this pic, you can see how the fairing is attached to your bike.  There's six clamps total.  The Woodys fairing IS NOT a quick disconnet fairing.  I installed mine to stay there.  I can't imagine EVER going back to a standard windshield....not even for a little bit.  

[BF]

Here's a pic of XF6 Customs relo bracket. FWIW, I'm finishing up a Woody's fairing install with the gauges mounted in the fairing, no radio, and plan to post some pics in a week or two.

Excellent.  Can't wait to see them.  I'd LOVE to see not only the finished product, but of your install too.   

[pancho]

Thanks, that picture is what I was looking for,,,, look forward to seeing pictures of your custom job. After looking at jimmytee's install pictures Bighead posted,,, ya start wondering if you could fit 6.5 inch speakers in there??

Thanks for digging that posting up Bighead, there is a lot of good info in those pictures about the install. I think I had just finished mine up last year when jimmytee was posting that, and probably too busy riding to check the board!!! At least that's my story for not remembering it!!

[pancho]

Thanks BF,, now I'm getting all the pertinent info and seeing everything I want to see.

Looks like that Rockford Fosgate Punch is about the right size for that faring..... nice clean work

[pancho]

              "I installed mine to stay there.  I can't imagine EVER going back to a standard windshield....not even for a little bit. "


Well,,,, if I end up feeling that way, there will be a Valkyrie windshield with brand new Clearview screen on eBay.

[cajunito]

I installed a Woody's on my tourer last year; you won't regret it... BF was a lot of help, I used the Rockford Fosgate amp/Alpine speakers/Sony head unit combo as well, & while it took some work,the outcome was well worth it. If you want your speakers installed,particularly with 5 1/4 holes, you can have them sent to Glenn & he will install them for you at no extra charge, then ship the fairing as a unit, this eliminates a extra step.  I found both Glen & Darrel from XF6 to be excellent people to deal with.

[jimmytee]

I installed 5 1/4" Kicker speakers and used the grilles cut from the 5" speakers the Glenn shipped.
I mounted my speakers from the backside and did not need to enlarge the holes like BF did. Just a thought. Either way is painless.

[jimmytee]

I really appreciate the time and pictures BF,, I actually like the relocated indicator lights, I think I may need to do something similar on a quick disconnect plug to add that finished touch. Although the Woodies faring is not a "quick disconnect", I can see wanting to change it out for the windshield sometimes,, sort of looks like a semi major job.

I wonder about the headlight relocation deal. Where does it go.. what does the mount look like??  I will probably cut my own handlebar clamps out of aluminum stock on a mill to get them the way I want, (sort of like doing that stuff once in awhile), and can bend out the headlight relocation piece if I know where the headlight needs to go. Also the "radio door",, is it truly waterproof.. I mean can you run in a downpour if necessary without any worries?

How many watts do you guys drive those speakers with,, and can you use the stereos at highway speeds and actually hear what you are listening to?     I want to load up my memory sticks with good preaching and while away the hours with some good learning......  that will be a sight.

I use a Kenwood amp with the left two speakers wired in parallel and the same for the right which with my amp means I'm pushing 100 watts RMS to each of these two channels.

[jimmytee]

Hey Jimmytee,, since you have your front all apart, could you take a picture of that headlight relocation bracket so I can take a look at it?? Also, how does your stereo perform at highway speeds?, can you hear it clearly?

Let me know if you still need a picture and I will try and accomodate. BF seems to have quite a few pics already.

Yes , with the amp and speaker upgrade I did, I was amazed at the sound coming from those speakers. It just simply rocks. Before the amp and speakers, it was ok but you'd lose the sound at highway speeds. Besides volume, clarity and dynamic punch was vastly improved. I actually get a fair amount of bass from my speakers. You can feel the music hitting you in your chest. Really, no exaggeration. I listen to quite the variety of music, but classic rock is usually what is playing and you'll find yourself doing that headbanger nod...lol while riding.

[salty1]

Hey Jimmytee,, since you have your front all apart, could you take a picture of that headlight relocation bracket so I can take a look at it?? Also, how does your stereo perform at highway speeds?, can you hear it clearly?

Let me know if you still need a picture and I will try and accomodate. BF seems to have quite a few pics already.

Yes , with the amp and speaker upgrade I did, I was amazed at the sound coming from those speakers. It just simply rocks. Before the amp and speakers, it was ok but you'd lose the sound at highway speeds. Besides volume, clarity and dynamic punch was vastly improved. I actually get a fair amount of bass from my speakers. You can feel the music hitting you in your chest. Really, no exaggeration. I listen to quite the variety of music, but classic rock is usually what is playing and you'll find yourself doing that headbanger nod...lol while riding.

No foot stomping on the pegs?   ???   

[pancho]

I appreciate all the good information men,, I'm about ready to pull the trigger. Still have some concerns about the water intrusion possibilities into the radio compartment,, and what about those Alpine and Kicker speakers?? can they stand the water like the marine speakers??  Look at the gauge placement in this picture of the Tsykayu faring on a Valkyrie,,,,,  THis got me back to Woodies fairing even though it won't accept a GPS stereo.




 

[jimmytee]

Hey Jimmytee,, since you have your front all apart, could you take a picture of that headlight relocation bracket so I can take a look at it?? Also, how does your stereo perform at highway speeds?, can you hear it clearly?

Let me know if you still need a picture and I will try and accomodate. BF seems to have quite a few pics already.

Yes , with the amp and speaker upgrade I did, I was amazed at the sound coming from those speakers. It just simply rocks. Before the amp and speakers, it was ok but you'd lose the sound at highway speeds. Besides volume, clarity and dynamic punch was vastly improved. I actually get a fair amount of bass from my speakers. You can feel the music hitting you in your chest. Really, no exaggeration. I listen to quite the variety of music, but classic rock is usually what is playing and you'll find yourself doing that headbanger nod...lol while riding.

No foot stomping on the pegs?   ???   

Guilty   

[jimmytee]

I appreciate all the good information men,, I'm about ready to pull the trigger. Still have some concerns about the water intrusion possibilities into the radio compartment,, and what about those Alpine and Kicker speakers?? can they stand the water like the marine speakers??  Look at the gauge placement in this picture of the Tsykayu faring on a Valkyrie,,,,,  THis got me back to Woodies fairing even though it won't accept a GPS stereo.




 

 You can buy marine speakers of the same caliber, but I am not worried about rain . Been caught in some heavy rain and no problems. The speakers BF and I are using have rubber surrounds and polypropylene woofers that are fine to get wet. The main difference with marine speakers is that the voice coils are supposedly sealed from water intrusion. In many cases, unless you buy marine speakers that have a bass driver sealed at the cone with a bridge mounted tweeter, the water tightness is very subjective and fails to really hold up.
 JFYI, most coaxial speakers have the tweeter mounted on a center post in the middle of the woofer cone. A bridge mounted tweeter sits on just that. A bridge that spans across the outer diameter of the woofer. In this configuration, the woofer can be completely sealed.
With the grilles on mine and the fact that the speakers are near vertical in their orientation, I think you'd have to spray directly from a hose before I'd worry about water intrusion.

[salty1]

I appreciate all the good information men,, I'm about ready to pull the trigger. Still have some concerns about the water intrusion possibilities into the radio compartment,, and what about those Alpine and Kicker speakers?? can they stand the water like the marine speakers??  Look at the gauge placement in this picture of the Tsykayu faring on a Valkyrie,,,,,  THis got me back to Woodies fairing even though it won't accept a GPS stereo.




 

Holy "sheeeeet" Batman I don't know how fast I'm going.       

[BF]

I appreciate all the good information men,, I'm about ready to pull the trigger. Still have some concerns about the water intrusion possibilities into the radio compartment,, and what about those Alpine and Kicker speakers?? can they stand the water like the marine speakers??  Look at the gauge placement in this picture of the Tsykayu faring on a Valkyrie,,,,,  THis got me back to Woodies fairing even though it won't accept a GPS stereo.




 

Holy "sheeeeet" Batman I don't know how fast I'm going.       

Is that so the people in the lanes next to you can know how fast you're going?

[pancho]

Well, I had placed an order with Glenn on the 21st of last month, but when I emailed him at the end of last week for an up date on delivery, it was still five or six weeks " if everything goes perfectly".....  He is just extremely busy at this time of year and had no problem with me cancelling the order, told me that the person behind me will get his one day sooner.

So I ordered a Tsukayu  ......   I know I will be forfeiting the personal attention to detail I would get with Glenn, but I did not want to wait that long. I don't think the mounting will be as solid as the six clamps directly to the fork tubes his provides, and am informed that the fairing cannot be split while mounted on the bike (the two lower bolts are in a bad position, but we will see if I can fix that), but I get 150 watt RMS 6X9 speakers, quick on and off mounting and will have it in two or three weeks. I am just hoping that the finish and fit are up to par,,, I will post pictures after I get and inspect it.