Fairing vibration... easy fix?

FZ1inTX

FZ1inTX

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Ok, GEN II only issue. There is a vent under the bottom of the windshield that Yamaha did a terrible job at mounting. It vibrates at certain RPMs in all gears and drives me nuts. I've seen others take care of the problem by dismantling the fairing, ripping the thing off and either coating it with double-sided tape or hot-melt gluing it in place.

Has anyone come up with an easier fix that doesn't have me ripping off the whole front? Any success in just stuffing something in there to stop the vibrations?

I am talking about the vent you see right above the instrument cluster here.

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Thanks!
 
Here's what I did. Take a 1-1/2 inch piece of electrical tape and fold it over itself a few times. Shove it in where the vent and the fairing meet. Do that on both sides. Vibration gone.

I also had no desire to go through some of those more elaborate fixes. And you don't notice it unless you look for it.

Let me know how it works for you.
 
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FZ1inNH said:
Thanks! I was doing some searching earlier and also found a guy who used this stuff too but I will try what I have on-hand first. :D

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How does this problem manifrst itself? Is it a noise or just visible? I do not seem to have the issue so I am curious how mine may be different.
 
Haileyan said:
How does this problem manifrst itself? Is it a noise or just visible? I do not seem to have the issue so I am curious how mine may be different.
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It is a noise that happens at about 5k RPMs. So, every time I run through the gears, at 5k, it vibrates very loud, then disappears around 7.5k RPMs and returns again around 9k RPMs.

Normal touring in low RPMs around town produce no vibrations.

It didn't start until I got about 1500 miles on the bike and now it is getting worse. Time to pack it!
 
Oh yes, it's a VERY annoying buzzing sound, and quite loud too.
Mine started a little earlier I think. Somewhere around 900-1000 miles.

It peaks around 4.5-5 krpm which is where I find my engine reving at usually during mellow around the town touring.

What did the other guy do with the caulking rod? Did he put it above the instrument cluster and below the vent?
 
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Steve F said:
What did the other guy do with the cauking rod? Did he put it above the instrument cluster and below the vent?
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Yes, he stuffed it in between those two and stopped the vibrations. I'm also learning that some are even getting a rub in the upper corners where the inner and our fairings meet as well. Weather strip. :D

And yes, I agree.... 110% annoying sound! To me, it is like nails on the chalkboard. :looseit:
 
I posted on that thread too. I originally used sticky back velcro which, as I posted, vibrated out. I later used the electrical tape as I suggested in this thread. That's been in there and working well for over 1000 miles now. I should have went back and posted that.

It's up to you of course but for the cost of 3 inches of electrical tape and less than a minute of time, what have you got to lose? Except for the buzz that is.
 
Steve F said:
I posted on that thread too. I originally used sticky back velcro which, as I posted, vibrated out. I later used the electrical tape as I suggested in this thread. That's been in there and working well for over 1000 miles now. I should have went back and posted that.

It's up to you of course but for the cost of 3 inches of electrical tape and less than a minute of time, what have you got to lose? Except for the buzz that is.
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Thanks Steve. So, was that tape rolled sticky-side out? If this fixes it for the time being, then I'll be happy. I'm about out of time and we're packing the bikes soon for a 1400+ mile road trip. :D I don't have much spare time to work on the bike and she's otherwise ready to roll. I'm concerned about listening to that noise for 1400 and more miles!
 
Enjoy the ride! 1400 miles sounds great.

I didn't roll the tape. I folded it over itself in half, sticky side to sticky side. Then another fold or two. I forget. The idea is to just get it into place snugly.

I tried taking a picture of mine but it didn't come out well. So I drew a red line on your picture to show where the tape goes. I'm not good at managing images on this site. But look close you can see the red lines on both sides.

If you're out of time to work on the bike this is well worth the effort. I mean its been working for me.

The velcro didn't squish itself into place well. That's why it vibrated out. The electrical tape seems to mold itself in there and it stays put. Bring an extra piece or two in case it comes out.
 
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Thanks Steve. Based on this, I can see where the vibration occurs and it makes me wonder how the total-teardown actually stops this. Even is siliconed in place, it doesn't prevent the fairing from rubbing on it where this solution you offered up fills that void.

I'll go ahead and do this and throw the roll of tape into the tailbag for the trip. Thanks again!

BTW, we're going to Michigan from seacoast NH for a week and coming back. This will be the longest trip for either of us solely on the motorcycles. Can't wait! :D
 
FIXED!!! :tup:

Okay, I did NOT have to dismantle the fairing. I took off the windshield, grabbed the stupid vent and pulled it straight back based on someone's photos in the linked threads. Sure enough, the single pin instantly snapped and I am holding the vent. :D

I cleaned both surfaces with rubbing alcohol and dried them. Then, I applied an over-zealous amount of (not silicone) but Liquid Nails adhesive. I also had a small strip of foam rubber (really soft stuff) that was adhesive-backed. I cut two small strips and stuck them to the sides of the vent where it was obviously rubbing. After setting and using some duct tape to hold it in place and letting it dry, I pulled the tape and shined around the edges. I used a razorblade to trim the excess foam rubber that was visible, washed it all off and put the screen back on.

Today, there was ZERO vibrations. I only have to ask, after seeing the construction, WHY didn't Yamaha just mold the damned vent into the fairing? Why is this EVEN a separate part? Oh well, a little time and some careful adhesive application and it won't be coming back off any time soon.

BTW, the Liquid Nails I used CAN be separated... it is one of the flexible adhesives ( I never knew that offered so MANY different applications!) So, I can still pop it to get to the fairing stay bolts.
 
I have a 2009. Took of the windshield today and that sucker is tight. Not loose at all on any side. I have never noticed any vibration noise at the RPMs mentioned in this post.

Is it possible this was taken care of in 2009?
 
Haileyan said:
...Is it possible this was taken care of in 2009?
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I doubt it since FZ1inNH also has an '09 and had the issue. Sometimes it takes a while for the vibrations to show up, if at all. For now consider yourself lucky, but now you know the fix in case you need it down the road.
 
I'm guessing it depends on where the bike was built? Yamaha appears to have two methods of attaching that piece and the ones who were stuck with the single PIN and three pieces of foam rubber are the ones complaining about vibration. The ones with the doublesided tape aren't complaining at all.

I know I'll not have any worries about it anymore! :D
 
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