Classic F650 Fairing FAQ

edited by Kristian #562
Please read the Disclaimer before attempting any work in this FAQ.
Last updated: 15 June 2007, by Winter #1935

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by Flash #412, October '01

This is a simple job and can be done with just two of the tools in the tool kit.

Remove the black plastic engine covers from either side. There is a screw facing DOWN that attaches them to the plastic piece at the radiator.
Remove the screws between the tank and the fairing on each side.
Put a jacket or heavy towel on the front fender to protect it in case you drop the fairing.
Remove the four screws holding the windshield.
Remove the windshield and the black plastic piece under it. Don't lose the rubber nuts, which are a press fit. There were four screws exposed when you removed the black cover piece. Only the two facing directly left and right are holding the fairing at this point. You leave the other two in place.
When you have the fairing lose, pull forward a bit and wiggle it to get it loose from the tank.
Unplug the connector from the back of the headlight bulb and pull the parking light rubber out of its socket in the headlight.
Unhook the turn signals and set the fairing aside.

To reassemble is slightly more time consuming than disassembly.

Be sure to plug all the lights back in before you start replacing any screws.
Pay careful attention that you have all the tabs and slots happily mated between the tank and fairing before you start with the myriad of screws.
Those two screws at the top which you removed last should go in first. They'll support the mess while you dink with the tabs.
Now... the trick... before you insert a screw, stick the Allen wrench in the hole and make sure every thing is aligned. Work slowly and patiently.
Insert ALL of the tank screws a couple of turns and THEN tighten them down. Do not over-tighten.
The rest is simple after that, except maybe for those rubber nuts that hold the windscreen.
What I do is spit on one of them and stick it through the black plastic thing and then through the fairing. Repeat until all four are in place.
Then CAREFULLY put the windscreen up against the rubber nuts and carefully insert a screw through the plastic.
Screw in until you're confident that the screw has contacted the brass nut inside the rubber cover.
Get them all started before you tighten them. Do NOT over-tighten because the nuts will pop out and you'll have to start all over again.

Please see the Engine Misc FAQ for examples and images of bubbling and pealing paint on your engine.

What is the possum scraper? It is the rear mudguard on the F650 bikes. It has little use other than to help remove possums and other small rodents from your wheel. Many people find it will fall off.
A possum-ectomy is the process of removing the possum scraper.
Before, During and After / After 2
Most possum-scrapers seem to break at the same point.