Side Cowling Guides?

[squad404]

Hello,

I just bought a 1986 with 30k on it.  Although the previous owner was a nice guy, he had a problem keeping the bike upright.  Thus there is some damage and missing pieces.  After removing his black duct tape fixes and after looking at other pics of the bike, I noticed my bike is missing the left and right "Side Cowling Guides" part#13070-1171 and 13070-1172 as shown on

http://www.kawasakipartsnation.com/pages/oemparts?aribrand=KUS&gclid=COfvwJ_ipa8CFY0BQAod-1wwaA#/Kawasaki/ZG1000-A1_Concours_(1986)/COWLING_LOWERS_(A1)/ZG1000-A1-1986/C11C1192F2872

My question is; are these really needed?  What is their fuction, etc.

Thank you in advance for your input.  I know I will be back here w/ other questions as I delv into this bike.

Frank

[John_Atkinson]

Frank, I haven't heard these called "Side Cowling Guides" before - but really all they are is air scoops that either pull air toward or deflect air away from your feet. Some people have changed the position of them and claim that it makes a difference...personally, I've never bothered. I don't think it would make a big difference if you had them on or not.

best,
John

[squad404]

Thanks John.  Yea, for 50 bucks a pair I think I will use that money for the bike in other ways.

Frank

[Outback_Jon]

Some folks even claim that removing those scoops helps stop some of the buffeting you get on the bike when in dirty air.

I tried them backwards the first autumn that I had the bike.  They got in the way of my feet, so I put them back to the original position and ordered up the "FLAP, SIDE COWLING" that are listed.  They do a much better job for riding in cold weather.  Then I put the scoops back on for the summer.

But, for $41 + shipping, I'd do all the other stuff first and then replace them when/if I had the money.  They aren't all that necessary. 

[SteveJ.]

Some folks even claim that removing those scoops helps stop some of the buffeting you get on the bike when in dirty air.

I tried them backwards the first autumn that I had the bike.  They got in the way of my feet, so I put them back to the original position and ordered up the "FLAP, SIDE COWLING" that are listed.  They do a much better job for riding in cold weather.  Then I put the scoops back on for the summer.

But, for $41 + shipping, I'd do all the other stuff first and then replace them when/if I had the money.  They aren't all that necessary.

Or find them for next to nothing on a part-out special.

[Squishman]

IMO, the fairing extenders are better looking and don't tear up your shoes like the scoops do.
You can see what they look like on my bike at my Photobucket page below.
Murph sells them: http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_91&products_id=192

[jim_de_hunter]

I'm one of those that removed them to help with buffeting.  I felt an immediate difference on the highway as soon as I removed them.  They won't go back on.

[Outback_Jon]

IMO, the fairing extenders are better looking and don't tear up your shoes like the scoops do.
You can see what they look like on my bike at my Photobucket page below.
Murph sells them: http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_91&products_id=192

Agreed on the "better looking" part, but they do block a lot of air that is nice to have in the summer.

[Squishman]

Agreed on the "better looking" part, but they do block a lot of air that is nice to have in the summer.

The Baker Air Wings Are pretty terrific for blocking air or drawing in more air.

[mdr]

The Baker Air Wings Are pretty terrific for blocking air or drawing in more air.

I have the upper ones and they're really nice.  Open for air when you want it, close to push away the rain, grasshoppers, whatever.  Been meaning to get the lowers too, but gasp when I see the price and back away.  Compared to the price quoted for the OE scoops tho', not so bad?!

You do have to tighten them every time you move 'em - and often when they're first installed.  The washers they ship(ped?) with them have to settle in at first.  They do have replacement parts if you forget and the pieces fall off. <blush> Don't remember if I had to pay for them, but if I did the parts were reasonable. 

[Squishman]

I have the upper ones and they're really nice.  Open for air when you want it, close to push away the rain, grasshoppers, whatever.  Been meaning to get the lowers too, but gasp when I see the price and back away.  Compared to the price quoted for the OE scoops tho', not so bad?!

You do have to tighten them every time you move 'em - and often when they're first installed.  The washers they ship(ped?) with them have to settle in at first.  They do have replacement parts if you forget and the pieces fall off. <blush> Don't remember if I had to pay for them, but if I did the parts were reasonable.

I only have the ones mounted at the level of the tank emblem. But they work swimmingly. Never priced them out. The 1st owner put them on. Mine never loosen up.
I lost one of the plastic mounting screw covers. But it's fine. I just painted the screw black.