TOPIC:

I just bought a replacement headlight housing for a Vetter fairing.

My problem is that I can not figure out how to install the rubber part that holds the bolts for the side swivel.

I’m thinking that this part has to be pulled through the hole (old red paint) in the side of the headlight fairing depression.I’m not opposed to buying a tool specifically for this install.

Mark

 

You may of found this site already  www.craigvetter.com/pages/Vetter_Fairing...er_instructions.html There are some instructions there not sure if they will be of any help to you or not. I have no experience with fairings so can offer no real help I am not sure just what you are showing with the pics. Which of the holes in the fairing is that fitting intended to fit?

Thanks for the suggestion.  That led me to a Vetter specific forum that will probably know what I'm talking about.

The holes are on the front of the fairing just below the windshield.  They hold the adjustable headlight bucket in place.

Vetter Owners Forum

Is the rubber very hard?  Sometimes old rubber can become rock hard over time, in which case maybe consider getting new.  I doubt you can find exactly the same thing but new rubber grommets might be suitable. And if necessary add some rubber washers to make up any difference.

I would use a lubricant before trying to shove the rubber thru the hole.  maybe LW silicone spray lubricant.   I would also lightly sand the fiberglass with very fine grit to make it nice n smooth, especially the lip.  It already looks smooth in the pic, except for the lip, so it shouldn't take much.

You could try the below method (it works with all manner of bushes) apply plenty of "washing up liquid" (dish soap) to the bush (I prefer this as a rubber lube because it dries and will wash when you clean the bike (or it rains  ) take it slow and try and apply a constant pressure with the bolt

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I'm using this post to show better close-up photos.  These show the brass insert with threads.  It does not separate from the outer grommet. 



Close-up side view. 


This shows how far inside the grommet that the brass insert starts.  The brass is only 1/4 the total length of the grommet.

This shows the end opposite where the bolt goes through the rubber brass insert.You can tell that the part of the grommet that goes through the fairing can be compressed.  I'll have to try Wookie's suggestion first and see how it goes. 

Now that I can see the insert in the bush I have a "plan B" for you if the initial suggestion fails (this may be a better option) if the bush is soft and it is "pancaking" when you try and push it through you could try the below which would "pull" the bush through the panel (go steady and don't rip the insert out of the bush - plenty of dish soap again)

 

Wookie,
When you use the word "bush", you're actually talking about the rubber "bushing" I'm trying to get in the hole, right?
The brass insert does not separate from the rubber bushing, as far as I can tell.
I think what you're telling me to do is put the bolt in the opposite end of the bushing and use a socket and washer to pull it through the fairing hole from front to back, correct?
 

Mark_KZ1000 wrote:

Wookie,
When you use the word "bush", you're actually talking about the rubber "bushing" I'm trying to get in the hole, right?
The brass insert does not separate from the rubber bushing, as far as I can tell.
I think what you're telling me to do is put the bolt in the opposite end of the bushing and use a socket and washer to pull it through the fairing hole from front to back, correct?

 

Correct, I think it will probably "pull" easier than it will "push"   ref the brass insert I only meant don't wind on the bolt so hard you tear it out of the bushing !

How would he get the bushing inside the fairing to start with?

TexasKZ wrote:

How would he get the bushing inside the fairing to start with?

I am assuming he would have said if you can't get to the back of it ???

Getting inside the fairing... there are huge openings on both sides.  The left has a leather cover and the other is a locked hard cover.