Cowl installation

[Spudley]

Raingear was strapped to the back and easily accessible.
Scooter box had pad and back support so I could sit up a bit more and stretch while riding. I got about five days worth of clothes and other needed stuff in it.
It worked but of course wasn’t the best option unless free counts?

Excellent use of space, five days of clothes, I need a pair of saddlebags but I always keep my rain suit and stuff like that quickly within reach. Just in case. Great planning though. You put the net strap over the top and you can grab your rain jacket in a heartbeat.

 

[Blanca BusaLess]

Excellent use of space, five days of clothes, I need a pair of saddlebags but I always keep my rain suit and stuff like that quickly within reach. Just in case. Great planning though. You put the net strap over the top and you can grab your rain jacket in a heartbeat.

I think they were called Frog Toggs or something similar. Round blue bag behind scooter box on top of a backpack. I was riding up to NC from deep SoFla. Hit heavy rain before ever making Atlanta and rode into Robbinsville still soaking wet. Rode non stop up, 900 miles in about 13hrs if I remember correctly and most of that was in heavy rain at highway speed.
Ride back home was again non stop but instead of going up into the mountains it steadily got flatter and flatter. Beautiful weather and made in back in about 11hrs. I flew! Was in a hurry to see my dog……and my wife.

 

[kallebusa]

The instructions are definite missing a few details in Step 3.

The plastic is firmly attached to the frame with four fasteners:

View attachment 1637319

Before you can slide the plastic back, you have to pull the nipple out from the rubber grommet on each side.

View attachment 1637320

I’m not sure there are any major shortcuts vs. what’s presented in the video as the spacers are sandwiched between the plastic and metal cross member where the pillion/cowl locks in place.

WHat happen if I don't change the spacers? I just installed the cowl without changing them....

 

[sixpack577]

WHat happen if I don't change the spacers? I just installed the cowl without changing them....

Further back in this thread it states that this was an oversite by Suzuki.
You can change to with or without the grab bar without issues, and the extra spacers are not needed.

 

[Coffs]

WHat happen if I don't change the spacers? I just installed the cowl without changing them....

No problem with doing this at all.

I was following the instructions but couldn't get the original spacers out so left them in place with the original bolts, seat hump fits perfectly OK. Dunno why suzuki tried over complicating things, just remove grab rail that's it.

 

[kallebusa]

No problem with doing this at all.

I was following the instructions but couldn't get the original spacers out so left them in place with the original bolts, seat hump fits perfectly OK. Dunno why suzuki tried over complicating things, just remove grab rail that's it.

Yes I did the same

 

[InfiniteReality]

No problem with doing this at all.

I was following the instructions but couldn't get the original spacers out so left them in place with the original bolts, seat hump fits perfectly OK. Dunno why suzuki tried over complicating things, just remove grab rail that's it.

I think it was solely so people that don't run the grab handle don't have to look at the oversized spacer? Or we're super limited on cargo space as it is, so this adds a little more? Who knows, lol.

I swapped my spacers out when I installed my cowl. Just lifted up on the plastic tabs over the spacers and push the long ones out and slide new ones in. Never felt anywhere close to breaking since they're new plastics so I didn't hesitate to try. I think it took longer to get my t-handles than to swap everything.

 

[AlastairP]

Who’s interested in buying a pair of spacers for the option of remounting the grab handle after the cowl has been installed?

Just like this post so I can get a better idea of the cost.

I am definitely interested

 

[Gadget112]

Is there no shortcut to this? I swap hump for pillion all the time on my Gen 2. This is almost a deal breaker for me

I have just the solution for the riders who like to switch for rear cowl to seat and grab rail. My rear cowl was put on at the dealership so I started with the short bushings.
Take the short screws and washers out from under the seat. Flex the plastic up enough to push out the 2 forward bushings from underneath. Now here is the good part. Take 2 or the washers that were used with the short screws and slip them under the plastic and align over the treaded hole. From here on out simply install the grab rail bushings upside down thru the top of the grab rail and tighten with the longer screws. Use the other 2 original washers soft washers and long screws on the back holes.
When it’s time to take the grab rail off, leave the long bushing installed in the rail and now put the short bushings back in upside down and use the short screws once again. Make sure the 2 washers that were placed under the plastic are still underneath. Now it’s just a 2 minute changer over to swap from cowl to rail and back again!
If this doesn’t make sense, I’ll post a few pics.