Windshield preferences

aslatk · Apr 15, 2011

My first bike with a fairing and windshield. Now my first bike with a broken windshield (and mirror).

Now I can get a new windshield :yes: and mirror. Old windshield was :hihihi: real tall and was a wrap-a-round. 30" from edge of fairing to top. Is that how you measure it? Standard they say is 20". With the tall windshield I got quite a bit of buffeting at high speed. Kinda surprised me. I'm about 6 ft, tall. I've seen posts where it seems most like the height at nose level so you can see just over the windshield and its good for airflow too. You guys agree? Do you think I should go to 22" height? Is the windshield adjustable on an 80 Goldwing? Thanks for your input. Now, about how it got damaged......Better be sure that kickstand is down all the way :head bang: :rant: :doh:

paddy.shadow · Apr 15, 2011

Okay...My windshield was weathered and I was due for a new one, So I looked at what I had as it was not OEM but I liked it a lot and found the exact duplicate on E-bay. I got quick delivery, reasonable price exact fitment...I could not be happier about the whole deal.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=
That being said, Have you removed your old windshield yet?

joedrum · Apr 15, 2011

wow that looks like the wind sheild that i would want paddy wish i had the funds for that .....to me ive never had a big problem with buffeting that bother me :mrgreen:

paddy.shadow · Apr 15, 2011

I got it at a slightly better price.....$85.00...I thought I did allright :good:
I don't experience any buffeting problems, I'm almost 5'11" so with full face definitely over 6' and no detrimental wind-age

scdmarx · Apr 15, 2011

paddy.shadow":385nf5bv said:
I got it at a slightly better price.....$85.00...I thought I did allright :good:
I don't experience any buffeting problems, I'm almost 5'11" so with full face definitely over 6' and no detrimental wind-age

I'm 5'9 and I get this annoying turbulance. But I don't know if it's from the "tall" or the "wrap around".

On my Standard with the Vetter I had a tall windshield and never had this problem. But I couldn't see through it in the mornings when it would fog up. I switched to another one that allows me to see just over the top. It does a great job and I can see.

I guess when I get ready to change it, first I'll cut it down a bit to see if it's the height causing the unpleasantness. If not, then I'll start chopping off the wrap around part to see what difference that makes. Gotta be one or the other.

WindNWing · Apr 15, 2011

Measuring from the aluminum trim up, my windshield was 22" high. I got absolutely no air and on a hot day I was sweating in a full face. I cut it down to 14" and am very happy with it. That's close to eye/nose level and I can see over it.
Wouldn't a power windshield would be great? :Egyptian:

joedrum · Apr 15, 2011

no doubt gary wouldnt that would be nice ....i call that one of the few things i find great with with modern motorcycles

k: :yes: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

aslatk · Apr 15, 2011

paddy.shadow":3gm1xeop said:
Okay...My windshield was weathered and I was due for a new one, So I looked at what I had as it was not OEM but I liked it a lot and found the exact duplicate on E-bay. I got quick delivery, reasonable price exact fitment...I could not be happier about the whole deal.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=
That being said, Have you removed your old windshield yet?

About half of it :yes: A big chunk broke off :sensored: Not quite enough to cut it down to lower height with a proper shape

aslatk · Apr 15, 2011

WindNWing":225xortz said:
Measuring from the aluminum trim up, my windshield was 22" high. I got absolutely no air and on a hot day I was sweating in a full face. I cut it down to 14" and am very happy with it. That's close to eye/nose level and I can see over it.
Wouldn't a power windshield would be great? :Egyptian:

During install, does the way it mounts allow you to adjust up or down at all? :headscratch: Also is the way you measured it the way they measure it when the seller say standard height is 20". Mine is 30" from the top of the aluminum trim (way tall). Being 6' tall myself I leaning to the standard size of 20". I'm thinking that might get me close to the eye/nose level. About how tall are you if you don't mind me asking?

aslatk · Apr 15, 2011

scdmarx":3n3ypwhs said:
paddy.shadow":3n3ypwhs said:

I got it at a slightly better price.....$85.00...I thought I did allright :good:
I don't experience any buffeting problems, I'm almost 5'11" so with full face definitely over 6' and no detrimental wind-age

Click to expand...

I'm 5'9 and I get this annoying turbulance. But I don't know if it's from the "tall" or the "wrap around".

On my Standard with the Vetter I had a tall windshield and never had this problem. But I couldn't see through it in the mornings when it would fog up. I switched to another one that allows me to see just over the top. It does a great job and I can see.

I guess when I get ready to change it, first I'll cut it down a bit to see if it's the height causing the unpleasantness. If not, then I'll start chopping off the wrap around part to see what difference that makes. Gotta be one or the other.

Wish I had a air compressor. Would make it easier to modify with a cutoff tool. I guess some have used a bandsaw. Don't have that either. Not much left of the windshield to shape but there is some. I wonder if a saber saw with a fine tooth blade would make the cut.

dan filipi · Apr 15, 2011

Saber saw with a fine blade works good.

There is some small adjustment in the up and down but very little. Something like an inch or so.

WindNWing · Apr 15, 2011

aslatk":3eqjtzrd said:
About how tall are you if you don't mind me asking?

I'm 5' 7" but that doesn't always tell the tale. I used to work with a guy that was 6' 6" but when I drove his truck, I could raise up about 3" and see out his rear view mirror just right. :smilie_happy:
I cut mine with a band saw but I'm sure a saber saw with a fine tooth blade would do fine, just be sure to protect it from scratches with plenty of taping. :good:
This is the link I posted when I lowered mine.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1778&hilit=windshield
Good luck whatever you decide to do.

slabghost · Apr 15, 2011

It's broke already! cut it down and try it out.

aslatk · Apr 23, 2011

Well, I ordered my windshield Friday :yahoo: . A Cee Baileys. It's 2" over standard height and if it turns out too tall, thet say send it back and they will cut it down once for no charge. You pay shipping to em. They'll pay shipping when they send it back. Everything I've seen about their windshields has been positive. They're one of a few that are FAA approved to mfg. aircraft windshields. They are very reasonable too. Even used a 10% off coupon. Windshield, tax and shipping were a little over $80. I'll let you know my opinion after the install and road test. Appreciate all your inputs!
:thanks:

Tory · Apr 24, 2011

I have that tall wrap around shield on mine and have always been real happy with it,untell the high heat of last summer.I couldnt take it anymore and cut my stock shield down about 5 inchs and switch back and forth depending on season.
I apoxyied the nut in place(behind the stereo)and it takes about 3 minutes to swap.

aslatk · Apr 24, 2011

Tory":157tzqam said:
I have that tall wrap around shield on mine and have always been real happy with it,untell the high heat of last summer.I couldnt take it anymore and cut my stock shield down about 5 inchs and switch back and forth depending on season.
I apoxyied the nut in place(behind the stereo)and it takes about 3 minutes to swap.

It does get quite hot here too during the summer. Out of what I have left of the old windshield, it could be cut down but it would be real short. It does get over a 100 deg. through during the summer. I should try it. Good idea about the easy off / easy on modification. :yes:

aslatk · May 15, 2011

aslatk":4chef0k0 said:
Tory":4chef0k0 said:

I have that tall wrap around shield on mine and have always been real happy with it,untell the high heat of last summer.I couldnt take it anymore and cut my stock shield down about 5 inchs and switch back and forth depending on season.
I apoxyied the nut in place(behind the stereo)and it takes about 3 minutes to swap.

Click to expand...

It does get quite hot here too during the summer. Out of what I have left of the old windshield, it could be cut down but it would be real short. It does get over a 100 deg. through during the summer. I should try it. Good idea about the easy off / easy on modification. :yes:

Tried to cut the windshield down. Thought I made a real good cut...except the fact that the windshield edge melted together behind the cut. Couldn't separate the two pieces. Tried to re-cut but that didn't help much. Tried to snap it off at the cut (carefully) but then the windshield cracked. Oh well, the new Baileys came in a few days later and has been installed. It's 2 " over standard, thicker and has a real nice edge. Very happy with it.
:good:

aslatk · May 27, 2011

Just an update on the windshield. Took the bike last Friday to work and back. My longest trip with the bike. A 150 mile round trip commute. Lots of traffic and the return trip was at night. I raised the windshield about an inch higher later that weekend. Height is just right now. 3" over the standard 20". I'm about 6 ft.tall. Had to put in longer screws thru the bottom trim due the increased thickness of the shield. The old screws were just a tad too short. Real happy with the new windshield. :good:

ekvh · May 28, 2011

My two cents: I cut a windshield down with a router, and a sharp carbide pattern cutting jig on the slowest speed. Mine was a 3.5 horse Makita. It cut like butter and left a very smooth finish. I was just playing to see how it would work. I did it free hand with no pattern, but having another windshield clamped in place for the pattern cutting bearing to follow would make it pretty easy. I have one that a stone chipped out the side near the fairing. I was planning to use the router and hollow out equal pieces on each side, but have found riding it with a small windshield and no big fairing on the forks please me more..... except when it's cold out.

Windshield preferences

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