So at the beginning of the year I got this fairing kit for my Triumph Bonneville, it wasn't just a bolt on kit, unfortunately, after months of struggling with it, this is what I've got now. before I go spend $500 for a paint job, I want to get some opinions.  my main concern is, is it too high on the bike?  does that make it look too weird that it is that high?  with the stock handle bars, I really only have another inch or maybe 2 inches at the most where I could lower it without my handlebars hitting the fairing at full lock. I'm about 85% happy with this the way it is, if I could get it lowered I'd be at most 90% happy, this project was way more of a pain than I would have liked.  

all opinions welcome, I'd hate to start over again, but filling holes for mounting is easier before a paint job.  I need some fresh eyes, I've been living with this for a week and I get this gut sinking feeling when I look at it sometimes, I wanna know if it's just me

I agree that the bike is a great looking bike by itself, though I also think that fairing would look good painted to match the bike.  If I were in your place, I'd think about my riding conditions and if the fairing is fulfilling its purpose functionally.  If it's causing you additional drag or obstructs your vision, forget it.  If it's protecting you, reducing your resistance and fatigue and feels right, then I'd paint that puppy and enjoy it.

I think it'll look a hell of a lot better, and smaller and more integrated once painted black to match the bike.

Positioning: I'd try to pitch it forward (nose downward) a few degrees as well as lower about an inch.  That way it won't seem to be going off up away from the bike, plus the bottom of your tank will match up as a tangent of the swoopy curve of the fairing.

IMO, it's way too high. From the side the tank should be more or less centered in the fairing opening. Maybe go almost straight up from the opening, cutting off the wrap around part of the wind shield. That might let you lower it & keep the stock bars. Otherwise, it looks like it was meant for clubman or clip-on style bars. But if you could get it down so the headlight is in the right spot, it would look good.

Hate to say,.. 'cause I know you're fed up,.. but,..

The bottom part needs to come down a couple of inches,.. and the headlight part needs to be detached, cut, and rotated, for a more downward tilt then re-attached...
That would give you more clearance for the bars, and get the headlight in the right place...

I agree it would look more "finished" if it gets moved down some more like your original photoshop you posted of it back on 4/11/12.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1334169286/6#6

I have seen bikes with a fairing, but thats a fairing, with a bike,,
The only way I see that working out is with extensive modification,
IOW, it fits like socks on a rooster,.But you know that. I know you know that, youre just hoping & praying people will tell you it looks okay & go paint it,,because youve got so much time & $$ in it,, & frankly, I dont blame you one bit,, but to be honestly perfect with ya, unless youve got the ability to section a hunk out of it & close the handlebar end clearance gap down, theres not gonna be any making it look right,& then youd have to get the headlight hole back in it,, Im not sayin it cant be done, but w/o being there & studying it, theres no way to say that it would look good even if you did all that,.,

Is there not a nice little shield that goes on that bike? Do you need leg protection from the wind?

Ohh,, When youre sitting comfortably on the bike, where is the top of the center of the windshield relative to your head?

I think the fairing itself is a nice looking piece, maybe sell it & spend that $$$ on a windshield?

Bummer to put heart & cash into a project & it not work out like ya had in mind,, I can relate,,Ohh Buddy, I can RElate,,

darn, I haven't felt this beat up since art school