Air wings worth installing?

[biguns]

Hey folks I bought some air wings , just the standard 8 inch tall or so that screw to the faring with chrome balls on either end, the question is do they really make a difference pulling air into and away from the rider? they seem awfully small to make any difference, I would have to drill holes in my virgin faring, will need a few beers to get the nerve up to drill it. I guess spacing matters too, I didn't get directions but I would guess the further out would grab the most air.
What is your opinion on these accessories....Thanks

[bofler]

I wouldn't drill into the fairing. That 40 year old material is not very forgiving. Never had Air Wings installed on my bike, but I do have a set in a box of parts that I got from the previous owner. I thought they had a bracket that allowed them to be fitted onto existing screw points, but not really sure about that now. As to whether they make much difference, I don't know, but I've also never been riding and felt I desperately needed more or less air blowing on me. Apparently they might benefit a passenger, but I would expect that effect to be marginal. I also find them to be pretty ugly, but to each their own.

[MikeB]

The Baker Built Air Wings were made to be installed on a bracket that uses existing mounting points on the fairing. Your picture doesn't show the brackets.

They do a good job with air management. But, you do not appear to have all the proper mounting hardware.

Drilling holes in your fairing is never a good idea. Trying to mount them on the fairing in any other way than the way they were designed to be mounted can damage your fairing beyond repair. Screwing them into plastic seems easy enough but the forces generated by the added weight plus wind that is flexing them at the mount points will damage any plastic parts you have them mounted to.

Bottom line, if you do not have the proper hardware, do not mount them.

[biguns]

Thanks for the replies, yep that's all I got , Maybe I will find the mounting hardware one day.

[Prlwng]

Have had wings on a 1500, 1800, now on my 1100 aspey.

Love them. You can direct air or rain away from you when you desire.

[julimike54]

Those wings mount utilizing the holes that have screws in the lower plastic panel. Longer screws were provided. No need to drill holes! I find they are very effective at directing air into or away from the rider.

[biguns]

Those wings mount utilizing the holes that have screws in the lower plastic panel. Longer screws were provided. No need to drill holes! I find they are very effective at directing air into or away from the rider.

That makes sense, The guy who sold them said his dad had every goldwing model starting in the 80s , I suppose these were for a later model, Maybe I`ll figure out a support bracket and be able to mount them. I would like to see how they mount on an 1100, I think someone stole the internet, there is nothing there anymore.
Thanks

[julimike54]

Does the 1100 not have the panel I am speaking of? The brackets I see in your pic looks like the same brackets in my first pic.

[Overdog]

No panel on the right side of the 1100 fairing. It would have to be drilled.

[biguns]

Yep overdogs right, the left has the radio and it lines up but not sure the radio screws were made for those stresses.

[julimike54]

Maybe contact Baker, they might have some info to shed on the situation...

http://bakerbuiltairwings.com/index.php

[Asphaltmaniac]

Not only do they give you more air during warm weather but if you ride during cooler times they will direct cooler air away from you by increasing the frontal size of the fairing.

I rode almost 30 years without them. Now I wonder why I waited so long too get them.

[RLEGoldwing]

Absolutely top notch addition. Controlling air flow is a wonderful addition. I have a 2005 Goldwing and speak only to my experience on my bike.

HIGHLY suggest you NOT mount unless Baker Built sends you instructions (maybe on their web site) AND tells you the set you have will fit your model Goldwing. Wings and/or mounting hardware are designed specifically... you don't want to jury-rig and destroy an expensive faring!

Drilling does NOT need to be performed in the faring. Drilling DOES need to occur in the narrow strips that cover left and right sides where faring pieces join. Those little strips are $90+ each so use the bit and directions from Baker to keep from destroying them.

I purchased the upgraded plastic and glad I did. Amazing how many rocks and other debris hit the wings. They are tougher and worth the extra cost. Put it into perspective with how most Wingers spend small fortunes on every "extra" we feel we "need".

The mirror wings can, when closed, greatly reduce "head buffeting" caused by extension of mirrors out from faring....MUCH more comfortable when not in mood for feeling the extra breeze. They also can create greater direct air flow. I open them mainly when in slow moving traffic and it's hotter than a witch's brew.

The main wings are built in two independently moving wing sections. Top section give lots of control over air flow AND rain deflection for you and your passenger. Again, rain deflection is an asset. The lower section allows you to control hot air from radiators. Combining open lower wings with open lower vents really makes a difference in cold weather while at slow to moderate speeds.

Personally, I would not even consider mounting the used wings on my bike unless Baker supplied correct hardware.

I LOVE my wings and they have served well!

[robinsonb]

I have a 2007 Gl1800 with Baker Built wings and they work great for providing air to the driver on hot days, or deflecting cold air around the driver and passenger on cold days. As mentioned earlier, you should not have to drill into the fairing, just the plastic trim strips on the side. I have a new set of Baker Wings I got from the dealer that broke one of my lower wings when it was in for service. They ordered me a complete new set to replace it. It is only missing one of the lower wings. The set comes with the brackets, spacers, and drill bit required to drill the hole in the plastic strip. I have attached a copy of the instructions for your review. YOU CAN NOT INSTALL THEM WITHOUT THE BRACKETS. If you are interested in this set contact me at robinsonb@comcast.net.

[Tileman851]

I have a 1993 GoldWing SE in the two tone teal color and I was fortunate to find my air wings in 1996 at a motorcycle rally that were a perfect match for the bike. You can notice in the pictures (I hope to download) that the mounting hardware uses the holes under the fairing pockets so no drilling was needed. The large adjusting cap allows me to open to what ever degree I need and then lock it down. My wife loves these on a hot Georgia day when I can direct some cooling air her way. I have no idea who made these as they were put on at the rally but as others have stated you do not appear to have all the mounting hardware and I would continue to look for some that do not require drilling holes in your fairing.

[Wingrider73]

Hello All:
YES! the Air Wings are well worth the install.
I have a set on my 2016 GL1800 and rely on them to turn cool air in, block hot engine air, and divert rain (as long as I am moving). I had a set on my 2005 as well.
Really like my set.
James

[biguns]

Thanks for the replies, I want to go ahead and install but need to find out how they mounted on the GL1100, I can fabricate them if I know what they look like.

[Rambozo]

You can see in these photos. Drilling is required for the supplied hardware. You might be able to fabricate something that doesn't require drilling.

https://wingstuff.com/products/36966-fa ... 100-gl1200

[biguns]

You can see in these photos. Drilling is required for the supplied hardware. You might be able to fabricate something that doesn't require drilling.

https://wingstuff.com/products/36966-fa ... 100-gl1200

Thanks for the photo, I did also see a set that had something like a wall anchor but still wind makes allot of pressure, probably have to fabricate a plate on the inside.

[Limpy45]

I have a 1993 GoldWing SE in the two tone teal color and I was fortunate to find my air wings in 1996 at a motorcycle rally that were a perfect match for the bike. You can notice in the pictures (I hope to download) that the mounting hardware uses the holes under the fairing pockets so no drilling was needed. The large adjusting cap allows me to open to what ever degree I need and then lock it down. My wife loves these on a hot Georgia day when I can direct some cooling air her way. I have no idea who made these as they were put on at the rally but as others have stated you do not appear to have all the mounting hardware and I would continue to look for some that do not require drilling holes in your fairing.

I have a 99 SE same body as yours, also same brand air wings. When mounted like that, they did give air flow, but not on my upper body, only legs and on a hot day I wanted more air flow on me. So, i carefully bent the mounting brackets in my bench vise to get the angle more equal to the angle of the fairing sloping towards the back. Now the upright portion of the bracket is parallel with the fairing and gives me plenty of air flow on my upper body! I can ride all day if it's cool, say in the 55 to 70f area. Anything above 80 is HOT for me so I suffer greatly!!

[crazzy450z]

I've contacted Baker Built Air Wings and they no longer have any parts for for a 1100 wing.

Can someone provide some dimensions from their installed air wings? I really don't think the Wing model would matter.. I would like to engineer up a set for my 83 Aspencade.. I want to see about making a set for the upper and lower sections of the fairing.. I want to try to get some airflow both past my legs / crotch area to get the hot air out of the dead space behind the fairing above the engine, and also onto my upper body area..

I am wondering how far out the wings pivot to get into the air stream.. How tall and wide are the air wings, angle and width of the bend and and what sort of angle and distance / shape is the mounting bracket?

I've engineered a well working adjustable windshield similar to the MadStad system. I'm just hoping for a few dimensions as a starting point so I don't have to start from scratch..

[Prlwng]

Will get pic tomorow of wings on my 83.

Mine are chrome tho and have different mounting.

A flat pice goes un and down bolted to fairing edge. Then the bracket bends around to to wing.

[Prlwng]

As you can tell they are not attached to the screw spots near there. On the left side the bracket would interfere with the cb operation. The right side has the plate for assesory switches that will be redone next winter.

[Prlwng]

Here is right side.

[Prlwng]

Here is a pic of side wings for windshield. Yes, this is still a restoration of a show bike in progress.

They work good for wing deflection on upper body. Or scooping air in to upper body.