If you’ve got a bike with a 39mm Narrow Glide front end (Dyna or Sportster) and want to have a proportionate fairing that has the capability of providing musical entertainment and protection from the elements, Hoppe Industries has just what you’re looking for. John Hoppe has come up with an awesome fairing that is a simple “plug ‘n play” item once installed. You can simply plug in any device with a 3.5mm mini jack (like an iPod ‘Shuffle’) and you’re set for miles of polka music, self-improvement recordings (that’s what I need!) maybe even a little rock ‘n roll!
Our good friends at La Crosse Area Harley-Davidson are about 3/4 mile from DOUGZ, and we didn’t have a bike to test this fairing on, so they pulled a brand spankin’ new 1200 Custom Sportster out of their inventory for us to use in this install, as well as the quick detach mounts required to install the fairing. Its great to have such good neighbors!
As mentioned, if you purchase the fairing, the only other thing you’ll need is the quick detach mounts but don’t worry about getting the correct part number – Hoppe’s installation instructions are as complete and precise as you could ever hope for. They’re so good, in fact, that I’ll just repeat them here – pretty much word-for-word.
(1) The quick-detach hardware should be installed with 4.5 inches between the mounts (see image). If you already have a stock, detachable windshield on the bike the first thing you’ll do is replace the (4) rubber bushings currently on the bike with the stainless bushing set that comes with the new fairing.
(2) The stainless bushings are used in sets, one flat and one stepped spacer per set as shown. Remove the rubber bushings and replace them with sets of stainless steel ones, reusing the original hardware and using the Locktite supplied. Tighten the capscrews until they just begin to snug up, and then loosen each one about 1 ½ – 2 turns. This will allow you to slide the fairing into place on the bike. Note that the hex-headed capscrews are used in the upper mounts and the hex key ones in the lower, just like with the original windshield. Place a protective foam pad (two if equipped with a tachometer) on the top of the gauge housing(s), close to the front edge.
This protects the fairing & speedo from rubbing against each other from road vibration.The wire loom supplied with the H-D windshield mount kit should be used to hold the throttle cables up and away from the fairing bracketarea. Start inserting the bottom of the fairing brackets between thebottom bushing halves, lowering the fairing until you can get the top slotsof the brackets to go into the top bushings. The fairing’s power cord should be threaded under the left handlebar, and along the side of thesteering head stem. The fairing should now be tilted back towards thebike and then dropped down another ½ inch or so to bottom out in the four bracket slots. To check that it has fully locked in place – try pullingforward on the fairing.
Unlike the stock windshield, the fairing should NOTbe able to swivel forward if fully inserted into position. Retighten thecapscrews to their original torque to hold the fairing firmly in place. Thread the bike’s power cord under the tank, following the other wiring to the battery area under the seat. Plug the two halves of the power cord together and secure to the clutch cable with the supplied wire ties. Turn the handlebars from side to side and make sure neither the cable orpower cord is binding or has too much slack that could catch anywhere as a loop.
I won’t bore you with the details of connecting the supplied wiring, Hoppe sends detailed instructions on what connects where – just know its as simple as it gets with only 3 wires to connect! Once the wiring is done, its time to install the outer fairing and the windshield, which is described in perfect detail, and is even more easily accomplished!
The images show just how well proportioned this fairing is once installed. After the initial installation you can take the fairing to your local body shop or custom painter – like DOUGZ – to match the fairing to your bike’s paint. The fairing comes to you with a nice looking semi-gloss black gelcoat. This also serves as a great substrate for paint. All you have to do is scuff its surface and its ready to seal and shoot color on.
As with any of Hoppe’s fairings the fit and finish is on par with the vacuum-formed components found on the Motor Company’s bikes. Three windshields are currently available for the XLS fairing: 5 inch clear and dark tint plus a 9 inch clear one.
The XLS has a suggested retail of $1099.95 which, in my opinion is a Smokin’ deal considering what you’re getting for your hard-earned buck!
DOUGZ is an authorized Hoppe dealer and all DOUGZ customers qualify for our progressive discount program. In other words you can get this fairing from us for $989.95 – it doesn’t get much better than that people, and we can have one coming your way, usually within a few days. So give us a call or email and lets get you TUNED UP!!!
images & words: Doug Wozney
DOUGZ Custom
2323 Palace St.
La Crosse, Wis. 54603
608-783-3684
Hoppe Industries
Kenosha, Wis
(262) 552-2770
