Bimota Forum

[motokosta]

I always thought the KB1 headlights where round but I am seeing an increasing number with rectangular ones. Does anybody know if they came from the factory that way? Mr Sarti doesn’t say anything about them in his book that I can find.

[crankcase]

Almost certainly period after market fairings from Hänsle in Germany.
I think the plan was to make space for an oil cooler under the headlight- and then a square one fitted in better and looked more modern.
They did similar parts for the SB4 with an oil cooler slot, but in that case the headlight was already square.
all the best
Ian
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Bimota DB2 tricolore, Bimota YB4e.i, Ducati 851 tricolore, Ducati Hailwood Replica, 1968 Gitan Grillo sport, Yamaha GTS1000, Honda Deauville, Honda GB500 Clubman
http://thecrankcase.com

[motokosta]

Thanks Ian. I did a search on the Hänsle fairing. The only thing I found was a discussion on another forum (see here)
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/41-bimota/79737-kb1.html#post767583
Which said that the Hänsle fairing was used in Germany because the TUV which I assume is the regulator there would not permit the use of a plastic fuel tank so an aluminium one had to be used and hence a different fairing. Most of the rectangular headlight bikes I’ve seen have been in Germany so that sounds right. However this does not explain the oil cooler. So what I’d now like to know is;
1/ Do the KB1s without oil coolers get a bit hot?
2/ Did the factory sanction these modifications or was the German agent or German owners responsible for them?
3/ Are there original KB1 fairings hanging up in garages all over Germany?
I’d like to get a KB1 so I’m trying to find out what’s what before parting with the pennies.
And while I’m here if anybody wants to part with a KB1 please let me know.