Adding vents for heat in cooler riding weather

[Mike in Pekin , Il]

One of the other guys asked me about this has someone done this and is there a post or pictures anywhere. I had an 86 come through here that had a make shift set up on it where he cut a whole in the lower fairing front flat part and installed an old pontiac air vent. I am sure it served the purpose, but it looked like crap!

so if you have done this please respong to this post with pictures and how you did it. thanks

[Mike in IL]

Mike, I did this for a number of years. I simply took a piece of card board, and cut it to size to block off the larger side vent, on the inside cowling of the Voyager 1200. I then wraped the card board piece with duct tape to protect it somewhat from the weather. I did still have the same pieces from 2001 that I made, but I may have pitched them since I no longer have the Voyager. I had pictures, but they were lost with a system crash years ago. Anyway once they are in place, you can't see the card board at all. The piece fits snug from the inside of the cowling. You do have to remove the cowling piece to make the pattern and correct shape on the card board. I simply used the same duct tape to hold them in place during the Fall and Winter when I had the bike out. Then you remove the rubber liner from the side lowers. (the ones that have the lower vent in them) There is a rubber piece/liner that keeps the heat from the engine coming back on the rider, during normal use. With this rubber removed, and the card board pieces in place, hot air from the engine blows back on your lower legs and thighs. It actually worked pretty good, and no one could tell anything was any different. The smaller vent on the cowling was left alone. Only blocked the larger one. I never had any problem of engine temp rising by doing this. Just riding around town and such, you had a good flow of heat back on you. I know, it sounds yucky, but believe me, it worked pretty good, and again, no one could see anything. In late Spring, I simply removed the card board pieces, removed the lowers, put rubber liner back in place, and re-installed the lowers. Bike was back to OEM. If your going to do Interstate speeds in the Winter, electric clothing is the way to go. If your just out scooting around town no faster than 55, what I mentioned works. This is just something I did, I'm sure others have better ways perhaps...

[Mike in Pekin , Il]

Thanks Mike that is one Idea for the books! how is peggy?

[Mike in IL]

She is doing ok. Our granddaughter keeps her busy, ha. Little grandaughter just turned 1 yesterday. Man, the time sure seems to pass quicker now days. Here we are in the middle of August all ready, where did the Summer go?? You have a good one up there Mike. Have fun, Be Safe,,,,

[bikerking.biz]

I haven't done this, but in addition to what Mike in IL posted, I've read in the past where the owner would leave the rubber seal in place, but they did cut a hole the size to fit a stock Voyager air vent in and installed that in the lower flat part of the fairing piece. Some would partially block, and others would fully block the normal engine heat vent on the side of the fairing as mentioned above. With the stock Voyager vent in place you could open it for heat, keep it closed for no heat, or use it to slightly direct the heat.