Nippy Normans Winglets

[allthegearnoidea]

Dear All

I am contemplating some of Normans winglets and am having a few problems.

I can't get in touch with Norman to discuss the winglets with him. Unless I am being extremely thick I can't find a contact number anywhere. In addition the contact mechanism on his website isn't working as far as I can tell.

If you are reading this Norman can you pm me some contact details.

If anyone else knows how to contact him please pm me the details.

Secondly, I am slightly freaked out by the fact that it looks like I will have to drill holes in my bikes bodywork. Are the winglets really worth the trouble? Are they hard to fit? Has anyone got any tips to ensure that I don't trash my paintwork if I go ahead.

FYI I have got an 07 1200GS, am 5' 8" and have just brought a MRA vario screen.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[longdog]

Dear All

I am contemplating some of Normans winglets and am having a few problems.

I can't get in touch with Norman to discuss the winglets with him. Unless I am being extremely thick I can't find a contact number anywhere. In addition the contact mechanism on his website isn't working as far as I can tell.

If you are reading this Norman can you pm me some contact details.

If anyone else knows how to contact him please pm me the details.

Secondly, I am slightly freaked out by the fact that it looks like I will have to drill holes in my bikes bodywork. Are the winglets really worth the trouble? Are they hard to fit? Has anyone got any tips to ensure that I don't trash my paintwork if I go ahead.

FYI I have got an 07 1200GS, am 5' 8" and have just brought a MRA vario screen.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have noticed that a clear, velcro like material called 3M Dual Lock is often used by bikers in the USA for holding these winglets on and securing satnav equipment, mobile phone, radar detectors, etc. I bought some on ebay. It is quite expensive, but you should be able to find a someone, as I did, who will supply you with a 1 metre length for less than £10 including p&p.

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

Secondly, I am slightly freaked out by the fact that it looks like I will have to drill holes in my bikes bodywork.

I'm about the buy a set of BWM winglets.

When it comes to selling the bike (especially if it is to a BM dealer), I reckon it'll be better if the parts fitted are 'official'. Particularly if you have to drill holes in the bodywork!

Kai

 

[Humbug]

I've recently fitted a set of Nippy Norman's winglets.

The kit is excellent value compared to the BMW kit and comes complete with all the fittings and a template to mark the exact position of where the holes are to be drilled. They suggest a 7mm drill but I found a 6.5mm one was adequate. I protected the paintwork with masking tape in case of drill slippage (as recommended) but by starting with a very small hole and progressively increasing the drill size I had no problems. It will surprise you just how thin the bodywork is.

I'm very pleased with them and the mechanics at CW's saw them but didn't realise that they were not the BMW ones - they are slightly different though, being slightly larger and possibly more curved. It doesn't worry me about drilling the bodywork for when it comes to selling bikes as I tend to hang on to them for a very long time (I've had my Z1 32 years and my VFR 9 years). If I did sell, I'd probaly leave them on anyway do don't see the problem. After all, you wouldn't sell a GSA without them, would you?

Incidentally, mine are partnered with an MRA Vario touring screen and have found their fitment to be very worthwhile.

Hope this helps and if you want any pictures let me know.

Andy

 

[Schtum]

Secondly, I am slightly freaked out by the fact that it looks like I will have to drill holes in my bikes bodywork. Are the winglets really worth the trouble?

Yes.

Are they hard to fit?

No.

Has anyone got any tips to ensure that I don't trash my paintwork if I go ahead.

Put a strip of masking tape on each side of the fairing/beak where you want to position the winglets. Check to ensure that you've got them positioned so that the rebates underneath the fairing/beak for the additional front accessory sockets could still be used. Feel underneath and you should see what I mean.

Position the winglets on the bike. Mark through the mounting holes onto the masking tape with a pen. Drill small pilot holes and then enlarge to the correct size for the mounting bolts. Leave the masking tape in place for the pilot holes and drill down through it. This helps to prevent the drill skidding off and damaging the paint.

Then fit the bolts and some sort of washers underneath. I keep meaning to strengthen mine with something like Meccano....anyone got any old bits lying around?

I think the whole job must have taken me about 20 mins including getting out the tools and cleaning up afterwards.

 

[Oz1200]

I fitted the NN winglets to my bike, and am very pleased with the difference they make. Installation was simple. If I thought a potential buyer would be put off by the winglets I would remove them (and sell them on eBay..) and blank off the holes with rubber grommet things - I think the paint underneath would still be fine.

One comment, my NN winglets are not exactly symmetrical, which manifests as the gaps betweens the winglets and my Wunderlich Ergo screen not being the same on both sides (careful measuring confirmed it is the winglets). This worried me for a few days, but now I don’t even notice.

I can recommend the installation of winglets, I’m not sure how or why they work, but in my opinion they do (and I suppose BWM must have come up with them for a reason).

 

[BobJ]

I can't get in touch with Norman to discuss the winglets with him. Unless I am being extremely thick I can't find a contact number anywhere. In addition the contact mechanism on his website isn't working as far as I can tell.

Ummmmm. Couldn't possibly comment
Have you tried the contact page on his website. The numbers there. It's 01626 830458. I've rung him a couple of time about various bits and pieces and got straight through no problem. Top bloke - very helpful

 

[ianran]

Ummmmm. Couldn't possibly comment
Have you tried the contact page on his website. The numbers there. It's 01626 830458. I've rung him a couple of time about various bits and pieces and got straight through no problem. Top bloke - very helpful

I fitted them to a 1200Gs, fitting template was pants and they dont look as good as BMW.
Did help with deflecting some wind but the full MRA is narrower at the bottom than BMw so lets in more wind!
One step forward one step back!!

 

[BobJ]

I fitted them to a 1200Gs, fitting template was pants and they dont look as good as BMW.

Couldn't agree more - I got the NN variety first mainly because they were cheaper. I didn't like 'em and never fitted them so stumped up for the BMW ones. Flogged the NN ones on here and I'm sure they're doing sterling service but they weren't for me.

 

[MATKAT]

Excellent

I bought mine off Nippy at Princetown, the templates were excellent and there is little to tell the differnce between the BMW ones(except the price) Excellent piece of kit and my perfect pillion insists there is less wind round her kidneys with them on. Excellent purchase froma very very helpful Norman and all for the price of a bag of chips

 

[Yoda]

NN winglets? Cracking bit of kit. Great value for money. Piece of the proverbial to fit.

 

[allthegearnoidea]

Thanks for your help everyone.

Norman has updated his contact us page since Sunday so I think I have provided a service to all.

Winglets duly ordered

 

[MATKAT]

well done

Tip. Remake the templates in a thicker card, then easier to offer up, tape and drill. You can fit them without taking everything off, took me about 5 minutes a side

 

[allthegearnoidea]

Thanks Maktat. But where the bloody hell do you buy your chips!