Left Fairing removal secret ST3 - Ducati.ms

redbandit91 · Aug 27th, 2008, 7:01 pm

Well I just cracked the left Fairing(looking head on at the bike) on my ST3 removing it from the bike. This is the side with the coil underneath it. I did not remove the headlight fairing first. The manual does not say to. One small move any it cracked. What is the secret to removing the fairing and reinstalling it.
PS does anyone have a left fairing side panel for sale??

Essing · Aug 27th, 2008, 7:21 pm

I assume you mean the left upper side faring. It does help to remove the 3x3mm screws on the 'panel' below the instrument cluster on the left side. That provides some flex in the upper fairing to remove the left upper side fairing.

I've had less trouble removing these than I have re-installing them.

-Bill

mad · Aug 27th, 2008, 7:29 pm

Then that's the RIGHT fairing. Always refer to sides of bikes, cars, airplanes, boats as if you are seated on/in the vehicle.

stryder · Aug 27th, 2008, 7:40 pm

Name any bike or car part as if sitting on the saddle/in the seat.

I have a 2005 ST3 and can R&R the middle RH fairing section without removing the top section, but it comes with some experience. You may want to go ahead and remove and replace all of the fairings so you will see how they fit, and what's under them.

The middle fairng on the right side, as from the saddle, is the tougher of the two because of the rad and return bottle are behind it. Remove all the black dash screws on the right side so the top fairng can flex to the max, that includes the under windscreen ones too, but you still need to use prudence, especially in colder weather. The mid panel's wrap around "hollow" fits around the lower part of the return bottle, while its rear top corner has to slip under the top fairing, but over a support bracket, (like the LH mid panel) the one that holds the well nut that receives the long downwards fairing screw that secures the top fairing's rear "arm", while its bottom rear corner slips over the mounting "post" that comes off the trelis that accepts the large screw/washer.

Take your time, and have fun.

stryder · Aug 27th, 2008, 7:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad

Then that's the RIGHT fairing. Always refer to sides of bikes, cars, airplanes, boats as if you are seated on/in the vehicle.

No hijack intended, but: Aprilia Tuna next as per your sig line? Check out the maintenance sched/costs on that Rotax, and the Ohlins forks.

*Maybe* more than a Ducati's sched/costs.

redbandit91 · Aug 27th, 2008, 8:45 pm

Besides a bike that won't run(see other post) I have cracked the fairing and can't seen to get it back on. In all of my bikes before(gpz750, VFR750 and 800, ZX7RR) I have never cracked a fairing piece in all of my years riding . I have also never been stumped with a bike that will not run. I have only had my st3 for 1 month and am really regretting my decision to buy Italian.

PS there is a large L written on the inside of the fairing so I thought that that meant Left in Italy

**butch** · Aug 27th, 2008, 8:50 pm

I always take off the dash, mirrors, upper fairing and then remove the right lower in 1 piece. I know this takes awhile but I have been afraid of putting a stress cracking the panel. Actually after 5 years of ownership I have had the dam things off so many times I don't hesitate to pull them off anymore.

redbandit91 · Aug 27th, 2008, 9:02 pm

Butch, did you take it off for good or bad reasons.
I don't think me and Ducati will make it 5 years.

stryder · Aug 28th, 2008, 9:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbandit91

Besides a bike that won't run(see other post) I have cracked the fairing and can't seen to get it back on. In all of my bikes before(gpz750, VFR750 and 800, ZX7RR) I have never cracked a fairing piece in all of my years riding . I have also never been stumped with a bike that will not run. I have only had my st3 for 1 month and am really regretting my decision to buy Italian.

PS there is a large L written on the inside of the fairing so I thought that that meant Left in Italy

Sorry to hear about your bike not running. Not that things couldn't change overnight, but so far, I've had a very good ownership experience with my '05 ST3, in fact, it's been the best bike I've owned re durability and reliability but I only have about 17K on it. The only time I was standed was because the fuel filter needed to be changed, causing the pump to spit it's hose. Not the bike's fault.

Don't compare your previous fairing experience with the ST3's fairing because simply it's not the same. I had a '03 FJR and that had a quilt work fairing that was a major PITA, ie the side panel had 5 different fasteners, and was about a foot long. I'm just wondering, did you read and follow the owner's manual instructions? Did you use discretion when faced with a removal barrier, or did you force it out of frustration? Did you check the inside of your fuel tank as advised to determine if fuel is spurting about when the key is turned on?

It sounds like you already had a prejudice about Italian bikes before you bought, and may not have been "ready" for a Ducati. I only say that because I had to let go off so many preconceptions and fears before I bought, it took me a very long time to get rid of that "luggage" before I crossed over. I now regret waiting so long.

YMMV, and good luck.

**butch** · Aug 28th, 2008, 1:38 pm

I hate to hear that you have had trouble with your ST, mine has been dead reliable (32,000 and counting). Actually I have been impressed with the durability of the fairings. When I lowsided the only thing that got broken was the blinker, everything else was very easily repairable, no cracks or broken pieces.

The fairing takes some getting used to, but in the grand scheme of things they aren't too bad to get off.