A Tale of Two TCP Fairings

[adidasguy]

In my searches for parts, I have discovered 3 different fairings for the "E" model which were sold as OEM fairings. That means, they were painted with factory colors and had "SUZUKI" on them. There are other fairings such as Airtech. However none are as nice as what was sold as OEM in Europe and elsewhere (except the USA).

These fairings are bolt on. That is, they use existing bolts and add brackets to hold the fairing or have a bracket that bolts to the frame. No drilling is required. They both use the same mounting hardware with the exception that #1 has an additional frame bracket at the lower rear of both side pieces.

They bolt on any naked GS500 - 1989 through 2002. If you have an "F"model, they will not bolt on. The steering stem of a true "F"model has a welded on piece for the "F" fairing. This prevents bolting on the TCP main fairing bracket.

You can see the fairing fits very close to the bike. It does have edges which wrap around and make the fairing come right to the frame. The Airtech does not have this and thus seems incomplete and like it is not designed for the GS500.

There are 2 different TCP fairings. I'll call them #1, which I think is older. And #2, which seems to have been copied or also made by FiveStars as I have one and it is identical except the headlight has one bulb rather than two and the windshield is stamped "FiveStars" rather than "TCP".

I shall point out the differences in the TCP fairings (remember the FiveStars is like TCP #2)

Here is TCP #2. Sorry, while I have a TCP #1 I have not located a photo of it. If someone has one, let me know and I'll update the listing.


There are a couple differences between it and #1, though many parts are compatible.
Most noticeable is the headlight. #2 has a headlight in a trapezoidal enclosure. #1 has two separate projector headlights, even though they are internally in a single housing.
#2 is on the left. #1 is on the right.


There is a difference in the shape of the windshield. They are not compatible between the two. (I will not all compatibility that I am aware of.)


The mounting bracket is also different due to the different headlights. Again #2 on the left and #1 on the right. However, they do mount on the bike in exactly the same way.


Here you can see the side view and differences. Note the turn signals mount to the bracket and protrude through holes in the main upper fairing.


Both have an inner cowling in the front piece, something that Airtech does not have and makes the TCP fairing look much nicer on the bike. They are similar, but not interchangeable. They add a completeness to the appearance of the fairing from the riders point of view.



The fairing has 2 pieces on each side. There is a middle section, between the front center piece and the lower piece. Interesting - the middle piece is identical and interchangeable between the two fairings. Thts holds true on both sides. These photos show the #2 upper cowling with the #2 and the #1 middle section.




The lower sections are not identical. However, other than an added rear bracket for #1, they are interchangeable. This came as a surprise, however it was not unexpected.

This is the #2 placed on top of #1. (I will add a picture of them side by side). The mounts are identical as are the screw holes connecting the lower piece to the middle sections. Interesting is that the #1 actually has the side stand go through it! That means you must have a center stand to install type#1. Side stand is OK for installing type #2.
Notice the lower part of the middle section at the top of the photo. The connecting bolts on the lower parts of #1 and #2 are identical and mate perfectly with the middle section of either type. Remember the middle sections are identical.


Both have an additional piece which is the lower front "scoop". It helps join the two sides together. #1q has an additional upper brace. It is a very small piece and was eliminated in the #2 version.
That is not dust! Common in many Suzuki paints, there is a slight metal flake only visible in bright sun or - as here - reflecting in the camera flash.


You can see how close the fairing is to the frame. You can see a couple of the mounting brackets. Because it is so close to the engine and comes back farther than the "F" fairing, there is no access to the spark plugs or the idle screw! On the "F" I can remove spark plugs and adjust the idle with the fairing on the bike.


A nice front detail view of the fairing.


Notice the difference in the "feel" of the TCP fairing compared to the "F" fairing. The TCP is much narrower. Much more compact.


Now as to the vintage of them. I had always thought #1 was the older one. In searching European ebay sites and photos, #1 was always around 1993 and earlier. #2 always shows up on later models. From a seller on ebay I purchased most all of  the pieces for a #1 as new old stock. To my surprise, the wrappings were labeled 2001 and a color code for them. The color code was listed for a 2001 GS500 on colorrite.com. 

My guess is the #1 fairing was manufactured first. Then around 1994 they switched to the #2 style. When the 2001 model came out, they needed something new so they revived the #1 fairing.

Anyone with information on the fairings or corrections, please PM me and I will update this information.

My bike "Junior" with an original, new from the box, 1994 fairing ordered from a warehouse in the UK a couple years ago.
I'll get a photo from the riders point of view. This fairing is really compact and not at all like having a fairing on the bike. It feels more like a headlight cowl only. Much smaller feel than the "F" fairing.


TCP: It is no more. TCP, a Spanish company, will close its doors at the end of March 2013. I have sent an email to them with questions. i will update should I get any answer.

[weedahoe]

Thanks for taking the time to find all of this and share it 

[jestercinti]

I envision Adidasguy flying to Spain and becoming the closeout/buyout representative for GSTwins.com...

[adidasguy]

I envision Adidasguy flying to Spain and becoming the closeout/buyout representative for GSTwins.com...

Nope. They let me know they have no spare parts for the GS500 fairings.

[adidasguy]

I found a source in Germany for spare parts.
A place bought a lot of Five Stars when they closed. He has lots of Five Stars parts. I remember 6 months ago buying a Five Stars GIVI side and top rack for the "E" and for the "F" model. Sorry, I haven't put them on a bike yet.

http://stores.ebay.de/Motorrad-Diegler

And as I suspected, he confirmed that TCP and Five Stars are one in the same. TCB was sold under the label Five Stars in Germany.

Both companies are now closed for good.

[Zethioth]

Great write-up. Someone good with Wiki should add it. I was although thinking about taking Adidas clip-on write-up and adding it. It's easy, just takes some skill to make it fancy and easy to get too in the wiki.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Great info adidas! I'm hoping to get to see a set of these fairing in real life sometime. The photos are great, but can't imagine how cool the fairings look in person

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Bumping this one back up. Looking to pick up a fairing set, but want to cover my bases.

Since you've handled them a bit Adidas - What would it take to put the TCP front fairing on a 04+ frame? Would simply removing the gsF's nose faring bracket work? Or would you be missing a mounting hole that was on the gsE's frame?

Also after a bit of plastic trimming and maybe relocating the oil cooler lines.. Do you think the bottom chin fairing would play well with an oil cooler of the gsF's?

[adidasguy]

Chin fairing (belly pan, aka bug-spoiler) will fit OK. Oil lines or exhaust you may have to trim a little. I had to trim a belly pan for Junior because the V&H exhaust pipes were a little farther out than stock.

The full fairing is a simple bolt on - totally bolt on. You will have to grind off the "F" fairing bracket to fit the "E" fairing. Then there is a possibility you might fit the "E" bracket on there. The "E" has a clamp-on bracket that goes around the steering stem which then holds the main front bracket. I haven't tried, but the front bracket just might fit on the welded on "F" fairing bracket or close enough that you wouldn't have to remove it - maybe re-drill the holes or shim them with washers.

[The Buddha]

I envision Adidasguy flying to Spain and becoming the closeout/buyout representative for GSTwins.com...

Nope. They let me know they have no spare parts for the GS500 fairings.

Noooo nooooo ... Adidas - you dont think they're lying ... or maybe they dont know where it is. Go there and straighten them out adidas.
cool.
Buddha.

[tcmia]

Where is Spain n arethey located? I have family in Barcelona.

[adidasguy]

They closed in March of 2013.
I don't remember what city they were in. I doubt anything is available except and outlet stores.

[oz353]

id love to get my hands on a full #1 set. is that even possible now?

[adidasguy]

Pretty much they are impossible to find. The HUHSKY fairing was made up of separately bought parts and some of our members in Europe helped get those parts to me.

I have one coming in. After the HUHSKY bike is done in a few weeks I'll be inventorying the parts I have. I might have a set to spare that needs a little TLC on some of the fittings or has cracks (which could be repaired). I have to wait to sort all parts and allocate parts for my projects first, then other West Seattle club members, then what's not claimed can be sold to someone.

[nathaniel2910]

Hi I don't mean to hijack the thread but does anyone have any info on this fairing?
It uses the stock bowl headlight which I find very unusual.
I've not come across another fairing like this for a gs hence me asking,
Cheers

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[adidasguy]

It might be air-tech.

[nathaniel2910]

Cheers looked into it and found out it's still for sale new
http://www.skidmarx.co.uk/suzuki/30024-gs500e-shl-st-sports-touring-fairing.html

[iclrag]

That maroon and red... still drooling... now combine that with those custom german seats and you have a perfect bike!

[stighunky]

Hello to all fellow GS500 owners. I have a 1999 GS500E with the older twin headlight TCP fairing. Yesterday I unfortunately broke the screen!!!!!!
It happened after I got a flat tire - as I was loading the bike on a trailer to get it back home. As you can imagine a bad day. I wanted to know if anyone has any
knowledge of a universal screen that would fit the TCP fairing? I see that TCP are closed and original parts pretty impossible to find.
Any help would be greatly appreciated - Thanks - Mike

[adidasguy]

There are 2 screens. One is smooth all the way around and the other has a few cut-ins for style. Which is it?
I know where to get one of them, possibly both types.
Post a picture of the screen - that would be best

Where are you located?

This picture shows the 2 different screens