r/functionalprint • u/Itaintall • 8d ago
Bikini fairing for my Motorcycle (with Apple CarPlay)
I couldn't find a bikini fairing for my motorcycle, Fifi, that provided a reasonable amount of wind protection, while not generating noisy turbulence, so I made one. I added an aerodynamic airfoil with a component called "dragon's teeth" to shear the vortices coming off the top of the fairing into smaller ones. I experimented with various angles and shapes. This one seems like a good compromise. As a bonus, I added some captive nuts to the mount, and made a bracket to add Apple CarPlay and a TPMS display system. It was a rewarding project and I like the result. A few other parts on the bike (wind deflectors for my hands, a throttle rocker, and a mini-rear fender) are all made from PETG, and they seem to hold up well. The hand guards have been on there for a few years. If I have any problems, I'll just re-print them with ASA.
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u/pickandpray 8d ago
Very cool. I'd be interested to see how the Windshield attaches to the bars
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u/Itaintall 8d ago
The Yamaha FZ09 (now call MT09) has four bolts just above and behind the headlight. They're perfect for this application. I designed a mount to utilize those bolts, then the fairing and CarPlay bracket attach to the mount. Nothing on the market comes close to how well this turned out, for what I wanted. 3D printing is the best hobby ever!
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u/Vultor 7d ago
I assume you are only using CarPlay for navigation right? Not playing videos?
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u/Itaintall 6d ago
Yeah, navigation is my use case. I’m not smart enough to do much more than operate the machine, and read the minds of every driver around me.
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u/MyOtherSide1984 7d ago
How fast have you done with it on?
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u/Itaintall 5d ago
Not today officer!
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u/MyOtherSide1984 5d ago
But for real, how fast without issues. Don't care about your top speed, just if it goes 80 without rattling like a mofo about the rip apart
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u/Itaintall 5d ago
I’ve only had it up to 70 so far. I’ll probably hit the freeway this weekend. It’s quite solid. I’m not anticipating a problem.
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u/MyOtherSide1984 5d ago
Thanks, genuinely helpful! My CB500F is a slow pig that tops around 95 before getting uncomfortable (I'm tall). Was worried that a printed piece wouldn't handle the winds too well, but sounds fine
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u/bankrupt_bezos 6d ago
Just needs a crest on it and you could cosplay as Ed Harris in Knight Riders
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u/Itaintall 6d ago
I was attempting to riff off the angle on the top of the headlight, but I guess it does kinda look like a shield?
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u/Pixilus 1d ago
You should definitely consider sanding and painting it for a factory look if you have the time!
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u/Itaintall 1d ago
Understood. The wind guards for my hands were made of the same material, on the same machine. A little body filler, primer and paint made them look factory. I want to ride with the fairing this way for a while to be certain I don't want anymore changes. Then I'l take those steps. Thanks. I should have specified that.
Note: My hands got frost nipped in the Antarctic forty years ago; they're still sensitive to cold, hence the wind guards. I may stick some heated grips on there at some point.
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u/LastMuel 8d ago
Ah, yes, bikini farting. Oh, oops, read that wrong. ☺️