I've never really liked the fairing on my 94 and really wanted the look of the 88 that I lost a few years ago. I have the headlight bits and even an 88 main harness but as I stand and look at the bike I'm a bit confused as things are so different on the harnesses. The biggest hurdle appears to be that the switches and wiring for the turn signals are completely different. It looks like there's a slim chance that I might be able to remove the telltale lights and then cram everything in the small headlight shell. Very doubtful due to some large connectors on the 94 harness and I'd prefer not to hack up the harness if at all possible. Have any of you guys ever pulled the fairing and gone back to the stock 88 type single headlight configuration? Any pointers from past experience?
I never liked the fairing either and did this to mine but had to fit smaller block connectors to the switch wires and shorten the wires before they would fit in the older headlight. I made up a plate to hold the original warning lights into the nacelle but one of the indicator warning lights was tucked inside the shell where it could not be seen, the ignition switch hole was opened up to take the later type of switch. It was quite a lot of work and a bit of a bodge, I have since replaced the wiring loom, switch gear and ignition switch with the older type, the bike had done 150,000 miles by then and it was in need of replacement. A lot of work but worth doing if you really don't want the fairing.
Thanks for the feedback. I figured smaller connectors would be needed. As for cockpit hell, that looks interesting. Any idea on price? I also don't have or want the tombstone fairing which looks to be required in that instance.
The '92 wire harness grafted some the K thinking into it for the handlebar controls. Pluse separate wiring for the speedo and tach. Go through the pain of slicing and splicing...or just buy a new/used 86-'89 GS harness where everything will just plug together. Add the tach/pod if you really want the tach.
I have an 88 harness and it doesn't seem that simple. The controls and connections are completely different. I'm not worried about the tach. If there's a secret that somehow lets me make a few minor snips and plug the 94 controls to the 88 harness I'd love to hear it. It sounds like you've done this before.
No secrets, Blake. The 100GS got the 'K bike' grip switches (which the oilheads use as well, slightly diff harness lengths IIRC) around the time the round headlight went away, maybe even during the end of the round headlight-- look at the fiche. Seems there was some overlap there I really like the late GS/K-bike/oilhead switchgear, and looked at a means to adapt it to my G/S. Only way is to graft the late terminal blocks male and female to the early harness. That means cutting, soldering, and sourcing the male/female ends. Got too messy/bodgy so i abandoned the idea The only easy plug/play route is to get a brand-new late GS and/or PD main harness, but that thing is nearly 700 bucks. I ain't that guy EDIT: PM Prutser-- i recall now that he adapted G650XC controls to his ST which has the same basic harness as your early 100GS (and all G/S) Good luck
Motorcyclewriter is looking to fit the later fairing to his bike. You should talk, maybe there's a deal to be had http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=959817
The only harness that has the newer switches but not the fairing is the harness of the Basic, and they are NLA. Old switches, no fairing: 88~90 Old switches, fairing: '90 PD New switches, fairing: '91-on GS and PD New switches, no fairing: '95-on Basic. EDIT: as far as the harnesses themselves, the pre-'91 is all the same, PD or not, because of the different dash layout of the '90 PD.
I've done this mod to a 93pd If you're happy with the later k style switchgear it's an easy mod. With a bit of care the larger connector blocks do all fit in the earlier headlight unit. The only mod you need to do is to the indicator /neutral/oil/charging light cluster to get them to fit the earlier dash,you will need a couple of diodes to make the indicators work through a single bulb. If your going down this route let me know and i'll post the connections for you. If you want the earlier switchgear then you will need to replace the clutch and brake levers mounts (and master cylinder) because the earlier switch gear will not fit, there's also a lot of other wiring mods needed to get the indicators to work. The mounting brackets for the handlebar connector blocks are missing on the later frame so you will need to work something out for this.
This seems like the most likely route to take. I was hoping to not cut my harness but it looks like removing the big connector blocks is the best idea. Rob, if you can send the information you mention that would be very helpful. I'll PM you my email.
For anyone that was intrigued by the Cockpit hell instrument fairing/bracket here's the link. http://www.q-tech.de/42WEBCOCKPITHELL.php For price it says to ask (Anfrange) and an english version of their website was not immediately obvious. Looks like they've got a couple of different models for different instrumentation desires (i.e. Original BMW; Tourtech; Motogadget Classic series; etc.) which is probably why you need to ask about the price.
Can't believe I didn't remember/think of that! Much better definition than "what would be involved in obtaining and installing it!"
Any update for us Rob? I'd love to learn from your experience on the diode addition to make my indicator light work. Otherwise I'll probably just not have an indicator light and hope that having my turn signals visible in front of me is enough to realize when they're still on.
Sorry, didn't realise you were waiting for a post. Just got back from the march moto madness weekend. A soak in the bath with a beer and I'll going and take some pics.