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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 23
Fort Worth | I rode 200 miles in the Texas heat today and I'm happy to report that I succeeded in dropping the temperature on my legs about 20 degrees (from unbearable to tolerable) by trimming my inner fairings. I pulled them off and rode the bike without them so I could see how much affect the trimming might have. The difference was dramatic, so I trimmed them and put them back on. I considered leaving them off, but the appearance was unacceptable. I painted the exposed portion of my fuel tanks a semi-glass black enamel, which looked better, but not great. The trimmed fairings look good and the improvement was definitely worth the effort. I took pictures along the way. Enjoy!
(right side with bare tank.JPG)
(right side with black tank.JPG)
(left side with black tank.JPG)
(tools used and cut-off piece.JPG)
(right side with trimmed fairing.JPG)
(left side with trimmed fairing.JPG)
Attachments
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 right side with bare tank.JPG (38KB - 11 downloads)
right side with black tank.JPG (32KB - 9 downloads)
left side with black tank.JPG (32KB - 7 downloads)
tools used and cut-off piece.JPG (23KB - 9 downloads)
right side with trimmed fairing.JPG (34KB - 11 downloads)
left side with trimmed fairing.JPG (32KB - 14 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| Where are the pics? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| Ok, pics up now. Not bad! You are brave. Thanks for the innovative tip. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | now if someone would make a Vision or Victory chrome cover for the oil cooler that would be rad. |
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Tourer
Posts: 353
| Someone else did that before, not a bad idea if you don't mind the cold wind in the winter. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | At the least the oil cooler gets more air now. Great job! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Please read the posts from about a year and half ago about this Inner Leg Fairing mod. The owner had access to a water jet and was considering doing this as a service after doing it to his bike. If the airflow/pressure are reduced through the head heat sinks (Force = pressure over area and vice versa), there is no heat transfer... No heat transer means you're feeling less heat because it's not there. Then it is either deflected or it is not moving. Low heat tranfer on the heads is not a good idea. That would be the reason Victory didn't cut the inner leg fairings back for three generations of Visions now. I would buy another set of inner leg fairings at a minimum to throw on the bike when you need work done to it. Maybe you're personal freinds with a mechanic that you know you'll take the bike to for repair. That's always a plus but you take this bike to a normal dealership and you're going to have problems. They have to draw the line somewhere and this is pretty obvious. |
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | bigwill - while I understand your logic about reduced heat transfer with lower air pressure and velocity, I would have to disagree. Consider all other Victory models where the air is not channeled across the fins. The transference is fine with them. I think allowing more air to pass by the cylinders, rather than less air at presumably higher velocity, is better all around. With a more open air channel, other heat bering parts of the motor will get air as opposed to a restricted air flow. Certainly the true test of this mod would be based on 1, Is the air cooler across the rider's legs. And 2, is there an increase/decrease in oil temps. I believe both rider & motor benefit from this mod. I think the inner fairing is really a decorative piece that Victory designed to hide the ugly internal parts (fuel tank, oil cooler, etc.). Style-wise, I think this mod interrupts the lines of the fairing but as with anything, the beauty is with the eye of the beholder. I applaud TXVision for pushing the envelope as it were and reaping the benefits—better riding comfort.
I'll have to find the earlier post on trimming the inner fairing. I believe there were photos of it as well.
Jeff |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I asked this question the first go 'round when someone cut the inner faring: If running a temp dipstick gage, does the tempature of the oil change with the mod under the same conditions?
Though I can understand the decorative properties of the inner faring, I think it has an engineering affect to direct more air across the engine due to the fairing may have a tendency to push a larger volume of air around the bike and not through the tunnel.
I guess one way to tell is have some sort of heat gun and run the Vision through a series of test under like conditions changing out the inner fariing and taking readings on the move.
This is certainly one of those arguable points that will volley back and forth. In the bigger scheme of things will cutting the faring have any negative affect? Probably not. No worse than riding in crawling traffic on a 100 degree day for 5 miles or more.
I think redirecting some of the steering tunnel air across the engine would cool the engine more and the passenger. I've placed my hand over the steering tunnel while having my leg in the roasting position on the floorboard and notice an immediate difference. Now, to devise a cover of sorts that will direct the air downward and at the same time allow steering when needed.
Edited by varyder 2009-09-08 7:35 AM
(vvwindow.JPG)
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vvwindow.JPG (2KB - 13 downloads)
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | bigwill5150,
I ride every day and this year San Antonio broke the previous record of 44 days over 100 degrees by 21 days. I have sat in 100+ degree heat in stop and go traffic for four miles. This took about 40 minutes. The oil temp gauge never exceeded 225 degrees.
The engine heat was not pleasant but it was not burning me nor unbearable. What was burning me was the sun. My tops of my legs in black pants and the tops of my feet inside of black boots were hot. My arms even sun burned a little.
During this time the shape of the inner fairing did not have much if any effect on the flow of air to the engine. Even the lowers were useless.
The same engine is in other Victory models without a faring. The hole in the front of the nacelle is larger then in the front of the engine.....even with the inner fairing cut down. The volume of air over the nacelled engine would be greater then the air over the engine in a Jackpot or a Hammer.
I am not comfortable with the fact that the engineers covered a quarter of the oil cooler with the inner fairing. This is a big positive on the change.
Maybe the real story is somewhere in between "Danger DO NOT DO THIS!" and "It does not matter to the function of the engine." Possibly it is just "Gather information and make the change if you wish. Just proceed with caution."
FYI, I have not done this to my Vision...yet.
Take care and have a good one!
Edited by radioteacher 2009-09-08 11:35 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | radioteacher - 2009-09-08 12:34 PM
I am not comfortable with the fact that the engineers covered a quarter of the oil cooler with the inner fairing. This is a big positive on the change.
this one I'm curious also, but I'm sure tests in the tunnel showed no ill affect. (??)
If you have a cooler, why not put it in an area to allow more flow.
but I'm not an engineer, nor do I play one on t.v. I do ride a Vision though... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 23
Fort Worth | Hi guys. I've been away for a few days. You've had an interesting debate. I considered the whole "forced air over the cylinder heads" question before I took a saw to my inner fairings..... I don't have a temp gauge dip stick, but I'm not worried about overheating. As menitioned above, there are numerous other Victory bikes without lower fairings. There are even two new versions of the Vision coming out in 2010 which don't have lower fairings at all. Many of my friends ride Harley Ultra Classics and they take their lowers off every summer. Bottom line..... the Victory (and Harley) motors are air cooled motors that rely primarily on radiant heat transfer rather than convective heat transfer to keep the motor cool. That's what the fins all over the cylinders are all about....... Lots of surface area for radiant heat transfer.
Regarding the dealership question..... my bike is in the shop right now for an unrelated problem. I'll be sure to let you know if they give me any grief when I pick it up this week. I'll be shocked if they even notice. Keep in mind...... the pictures I posted are intended to highlight the modified area. The lines of the bike are not affected at all from most viewing angles. Furthermore, as I mentioned previously, the guys at Napalm Motorsports in Austin made a similar mod to the owner's anniversary edition bike....... and they are an authorized Victory dealership!
Bryan |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 42
TUCSON, AZ | Inner fairing cutout? One does't have to go to such extremes to get the temp down around your legs. A one inch cut out on the left inner fairing the hite of the oil cooler and one inch to the left will expose all of the radiator. The same size cut out on the right inner fairing will allow more air volume lowering the preceived temperature and not effecting the engine cooling. My test show no problem. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 23
Fort Worth | Following up from my previous comment about the warranty......... I got my bike back from the dealership after minor warranty work last week. Both of the Victory tech's noticed my "trimmed" inner fairings and they were quite impressed. They did not see any issues with voided warranties, over-heating engine, etc. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Tampa, Fl United States | I have a skin graph on the right lower side of my inner leg (calf region), due to no feeling I've blister my graph site (at least 2nd degree burns) & took at least a month to heal each time.
I too was looking for a enconomic solution but most important effective one
I found one, its by Just in Proucts & its called Hot Leg Protector, intended for Harleys, its very stylish but it works & I wrap it outside my pants around my calf & haven't had a problem since & won't ride without it when riding my Vision
FRED
PS- perfect when using rain gear like Frogg Toggs ( prevents meltdown)
Website is justinproducts.net
hope this helps |
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Tourer
Posts: 388
Salisbury, NC | Jam, this subject was in the general discussion part of the forum. ET |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Add the lowers, inexpensive stylish, highly effective and not an ugly modification. gees. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Extreme Southern, AZ United States | The mod looks good, but I will stay with my wind wings. I experienced a benefit of them that I did not think of before. We went camping this past weekend. It was kinda chilly up in the mountains. I initially had the wings adjusted to flow the air across the engine and keep the heat down on my legs. Due to the cold I pushed both the bottom and top out to push the air around us. The benefit is that the engine heat then was redirected around our legs and even up towards our bodies. Like turning on a heater. I was not dressed for riding in the cold at all, but I was completely comfortable. I tried the grip warmers but had to turn them off after a bit as my hands were sweating. The wife said the only thing that got chilly was her nose, but was very warm otherwise. We did not use the seat heaters. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Sparta, WI | That's cool. |
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Jacksonville Florida | Look at the lowers offered by Cycleops in Miami, Florida. It's billet material, won't crack like some of the Vic parts have been doing and you can get them chromed or in black |
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New user
Posts: 1
| Hi. I am new here, but really interested in the heat problem. I moved from California to Hawaii with my Vision. As mentioned above, the heat was welcome in the winter in Cali, but oppresive in the summer. On Kauai I have to wear 1/2 chaps all of the time to keep the heat off of my calf. I am looking for an update from anyone who trimmed their inner fairings. Any problems? I am pretty sure that my husband can do the mod. The Harley dealership does the work on my bike and it is the only Vision on the island, so no issues there. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 99
Kansas City, Ks | VaParadox - 2009-10-11 4:33 PM
Add the lowers, inexpensive stylish, highly effective and not an ugly modification. gees.
I would have to disagree with the lowers being "stylish,... not an ugly.."
This modification of the inner fairings is exactly what I have been considering as well. Nice work
and could you get a closer picture of the area that was cut?
Once again, the mod looks great!
Edited by Blue Demon 2010-01-29 6:26 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 619
Southeast Iowa | I too would disagree with the lowers being "stylish,...not an ugly.." I would like to buy them for their functionality but I just can't get past the looks. I just can't make myself tape big ole' ears to the side of my bike. For those that have them I'm sure you love them........I however just can't do it. I rather put ice on my balls if it's that hot out! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | I too thought they did not fit the styling of the Vision, that's why for two years I've not had them. But, because we get to change our minds, I now have a set on order. I think functionality is winning over on this one. |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
N. Miami, Florida | I agree the plastic ones do nothing for the bikes looks, especially when they're cracked or weathered/yellowed. On the otherhand, chrome never sucks! We also now offer these in the metallic Midnight Cherry as well as the new metallic Ocean Blue as well of course as our metallic Charcoal (SSG) and Gloss Black. Other colors available, as are raw prepped for painting the color of your choice. Chrome uppers 
Chrome Lowers 
The New metallic Ocean Blue powder coat 
Metallic Midnight Cherry powder coat 
Gloss Black powder coat 
Metallic Super Sonic Gray (charcoal) powder coat 
Edited by CycleOps USA 2010-01-30 10:15 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Lowers. Maybe, I would go with the Midnight Cherry one's though. The Victory ones look, uh, how do say, Wingish! Gawdy, better said. And another thing, they ain't GLUED on either.
Edited by varyder 2010-01-30 11:27 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | varyder - 2010-01-30 11:26 AM And another thing, they ain't GLUED on either. CycleOps only sells the "wing" not the mounts. You have to supply the stock mounts that are GLUED on. I'm still on my original clear ones and got a good deal on a spare set from a guy here on the forum. After the second set cracks, I'll get the Midnight Cherry ones. I lasted a year and a half before finally getting the lowers. Comfort-wise it's by far my best upgrade (but I don't have a Utopia backrest yet). |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Hey Song, my point should have been clearer, IF/WHEN I do this, I'll have them mounted, not stuck on. I'm still not to the point of "I have to have them"
Yes, since I fixed my exhaust leak and the bike is running leaner, I feel the heat in the summer, but it is still not in my intolerable range. I feel for the more southern hemishere folks as if I did live down there then I might have resorted to that.
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