Pondering on making some lowers....

[Ishrub]

I'm not sure I should post this yet, but I thought I would throw it out there......So I have been working on some ideas for some lowers for my rocket touring. I bought some
1 1/4" P-Clamps to go around my crash bars for fastening the aluminum panels I plan to cut and shape. I bought 4 of the clamps, but I may need a couple more if I decide to go through with the project. At $23.00 a pop, I am going to have to work fast if I want to return them to Amazon in 30 days should I change my mind. I estimate the whole project will run about $200.00 if I take it to completion. That probably doesn't include any powder coating.

Anyway, I thought I would use some 0.093 aluminum which is pretty tough, but something that can still be shaped a little if needed. I'm also thinking about using some 1/8" X 3/4 aluminum flats for a skeleton behind the sheet aluminum to stiffen things and provide some solid anchor points for the P-Clamps. As you can see, I am still developing a final pattern for the right side (several more try's should do it) and I'm sure 3 or 4 patterns will be required to get the left side correct as well. At least the outside of the pattern should be close to the same as the right side pattern I'm working on. Once completed I will probably have them powder coated for a nice finish.

My main intent is to provide a little protection from cooler temperatures and help keep my feet stay warmer which is what I seem to have the biggest problem with. Perhaps some electric socks would be an easier way to go...hmmm....but I digress.

I have several requirements for my project.

1. They need to look good and not something ugly that doesn't fit.

2. I want the part closest to the radiator housing to be angle forward sloping the lowers back for directing air out and around. They can't just be flat against the crash bar.

3. They can't extend out beyond the crash bars in any way. This is just in case the bike ever lays over on the bars for some reason (you know what I'm talking about as there was a whole post dedicated to that topic). I could have them extend out above the highway pegs, but I'm not sure I want to do that.

4. I need to create enough clearance around my highway pegs so I can still pass a strap through the opening allowing me to tie the bike down for trailering if needed. One of my strapping points is just above the highway pegs on the crash bar.

I'm still thinking about air flow through them on a hot day, although I have never noticed any radiator heat on a normal day. Designing that feature will be a whole new nightmare. I am also contemplating not having them come all the way up to the top of the crash bar, but rather about midway between the highway pegs and the top of the bar. I'm also still playing with a little air foil flip at the top of the lower no matter what height I decide on.

The design and my pondering is not completed yet...have I missed anything? Here is the pattern, so far, with several more adjustments still needed. Yes or No?

I have seen quite a few versions for fitting to the front crash bars of other brands/models of mainly V-twin cruisers. They call them 'chaps' and they usually are material like vinyl, canvas or leather and Velcro or snap fasten to infill the area. Crash Bar Covers: Motorcycle Parts | eBay
A bit of searching and I think you would find some that match our crash bars size or easier and cheap to make yourself with added bonus of really easy to fit or remove.

Like @barbagris said though, unless really sub freezing temps I think they will cook you.

Electric foot warmers i.e. insoles and or socks are cheap and unobtrusive. Some really cheap ones run off USB plugs that are very easy to fit to your bike either mounted low or with a pig tail from under the seat to the infill area. Well under US$20 to try the concept and if they break buy another set or get better quality ones.

Electric foot warmers insoles | eBay
Electric foot warmers insoles | eBay

 

[barbagris]

OK - Sorry - but the fan and muck is still out there. But here are some quick and dirty shots that show the curve a bit better. I can get my fist through the gaps.


I have ridden (ride) with this setup in ROASTING heat and I promise it's cooler than without the black bits.
Also have ridden in monster rain/sleet storms for 4 hours and my legs did not get wet.
Original version did have bits above the engine bar but made no difference.

The little clear outer bits make a difference to trouser flapping. Yes I could do it all in a nice molded shape in C/F - but call me contrary - I like the not quite perfect look.

I would however suggest strongly a deflector on the left side as well - IF YOU HAVE K&N/RAMAIR UNDER A CLAW.
Otherwise the filters do draw hot air in off the oiltank as well as radiator wash.

Fitting this reduced AIT by 5ºC (EVEN WITH THE OZ-Claw.

 

[Ishrub]

You need to scavenge old Meccano sets @barbagris. . My Dad had his from a boy and used them all up in house repairs and radio projects over 70+ years until the house burnt down in 2003. I scrounged up some more to entertain a young cousin with developmental issues for when he was visiting. Dad had a ball when the kid showed no aptitude and took over while the kid watched as Dad made projects for hours over weeks. It was real peaceful!

 

[barbagris]

Ah Meccano - I think my dad expected me to build cars and trains. I built Crossbows and Compound Long Bows.
Any good engineer understands William Heath Robinson.

 

[Bedifferent]

I have seen quite a few versions for fitting to the front crash bars of other brands/models of mainly V-twin cruisers. They call them 'chaps' and they usually are material like vinyl, canvas or leather and Velcro or snap fasten to infill the area. Crash Bar Covers: Motorcycle Parts | eBay
A bit of searching and I think you would find some that match our crash bars size or easier and cheap to make yourself with added bonus of really easy to fit or remove.

Like @barbagris said though, unless really sub freezing temps I think they will cook you.

Electric foot warmers i.e. insoles and or socks are cheap and unobtrusive. Some really cheap ones run off USB plugs that are very easy to fit to your bike either mounted low or with a pig tail from under the seat to the infill area. Well under US$20 to try the concept and if they break buy another set or get better quality ones.

Electric foot warmers insoles | eBay
Electric foot warmers insoles | eBay

Yup,,,I have a set of the sagebrush lower chaps. They are okay, but not quite what I'm looking for. I haven't found them to work all that well.

 

[Bedifferent]

OK - Sorry - but the fan and muck is still out there. But here are some quick and dirty shots that show the curve a bit better. I can get my fist through the gaps.


I have ridden (ride) with this setup in ROASTING heat and I promise it's cooler than without the black bits.
Also have ridden in monster rain/sleet storms for 4 hours and my legs did not get wet.
Original version did have bits above the engine bar but made no difference.

The little clear outer bits make a difference to trouser flapping. Yes I could do it all in a nice molded shape in C/F - but call me contrary - I like the not quite perfect look.

I would however suggest strongly a deflector on the left side as well - IF YOU HAVE K&N/RAMAIR UNDER A CLAW.
Otherwise the filters do draw hot air in off the oiltank as well as radiator wash.

Fitting this reduced AIT by 5ºC (EVEN WITH THE OZ-Claw.

An interesting take on the design, especially the plastic outer deflectors. You must ride in some horrendous weather. I do not have the ram air, so I not as concerned with the left side. I have a solution for the flapping trousers as I have some velcro adjustable elastic band I simply put around my pant legs on a long ride. Thanks for the pictures and I guess I will continue to give it more thought. It may be a compromise between just keeping my feet warmer and let some air through. Perhaps some vertical openings higher up on the defectors to let air through instead of shaping them rearward. I have a feeling I will be making some adjustments for the heat. Some adjustable wings that I can swing out from behind the lowers when needed. Just another idea to think about.

Do you find your lowers affect the handling of you bike in any way??

 

[Bedifferent]

There are aftermarket wind deflectors mounted to the frame for the Goldwings and Valkyries. They can pivot so one can direct air away to towards the motor. Ugly but they work. Your paper prototype looks good. Chrome pivots with clear plastic folding back to drive air to the motor, nice.

I have seen those on a Valkyrie...I'm sure they are very effective but they are super ugly! I can't embarrass myself that badly... no matter what.

 

[Bedifferent]

I gave some thought to lowers, but as I do MOST of my riding in warm weather I should rather have plenty of air flow. In cooler weather, I get plenty heat from the engine anyway.

I have never found the engine to provide any worthwhile heat in cold weather. It must be the liquid cooling. Actually, I have never found the heat to be excessive in hot weather unless stopped in traffic for an extended time.

 

[rocketjohn]

Come south and ride for twelve hours! You will like the air flow!

 

[barbagris]

An interesting take on the design, especially the plastic outer deflectors. You must ride in some horrendous weather. I do not have the ram air, so I not as concerned with the left side. I have a solution for the flapping trousers as I have some velcro adjustable elastic band I simply put around my pant legs on a long ride. Thanks for the pictures and I guess I will continue to give it more thought. It may be a compromise between just keeping my feet warmer and let some air through. Perhaps some vertical openings higher up on the defectors to let air through instead of shaping them rearward. I have a feeling I will be making some adjustments for the heat. Some adjustable wings that I can swing out from behind the lowers when needed. Just another idea to think about.

Do you find your lowers affect the handling of you bike in any way??

My first designs were more like this.


Note they're projecting above and outside engine bar.

Discovered that It was MORE important for wet riding to have the bottom of the bars filled it (keeps feet totally dry) - The shape of the bars was what moved me to flexible material - that plus a suggestion from a local LEO that flexible meant NOT STRUCTURAL CHANGE if I was faced with an officious LEO. The little outriggers were fitted latter to reduce trouser flapping and being simply on tube clamps I could easily rotate to get the correct flow.

tbh we don't have BAD weather that often - but when it is bad it's dramatic. We can get stinking high temps in summer - I have seen shade temps well above 40°C - that equates to midday tarmac temps well into the 60's. Pre-dawn temps of as high as 30. And that heat is radiant. One reason I refuse to wear ordinary pants/shoes/socks is that fact I have had heat burns on the outside of my ankles - That's sun and road heat. It's common for us to go from 16°C to 30°C in less than a week and the inverse. Spring and Autumn are short here. Summer or Winter.

These are tiny things related to weight and shape of the bike. If you run a large screen and add fork mounted lowers this will have WAY more impact. But even so - ime the R3 is a big stable lump even in VERY severe wind. If it waggles - it's far more likely to be tyres. Though I can feel the barkbusters getting some leverage exerted at illegal speeds since changing handlebars (Wider and further from windscreen).