buy a very tall windshield and then cut it down?

[CODan]

me: 5'10"

Probably buying an 08 FJR - can't quite face the ST1300

I want to buy a windshield that is tall enough so that, when the windshield is all the way up, it tosses the wind over my helmet and head.

Reason - I was very impressed by the quiet behind the ST, which put the wind over my head when all the way up.

1) Anyone else do this?

2) Assuming there is more windshield than I need, I think I'll trim it until the wind is just over my helmet. I'd probably have the final trim done by local glass and plastic shop. Sound like a good idea?

 

[madmike2]

me: 5'10" I want to buy a windshield that is tall enough so that, when the windshield is all the way up, it tosses the wind over my helmet and head.

1) Anyone else do this?

2) Assuming there is more windshield than I need, I think I'll trim it until the wind is just over my helmet. I'd probably have the final trim done by local glass and plastic shop. Sound like a good idea?

Its been done. Are you "sure" you'll need a taller windshield? I run a CeeBaileys +4+2 in warmer weather and I have a CalSci that I use in the Winter.

The CalSci is the best for me as its taller than the CeeBailey by 1 1/2" and the profile is different. However, it is so efficient that its too hot for me once the temps are over 85-90.

I have a Gen I bike, so my dash and vents don't flow as much air across the tank/cockpit as the NewGen bikes do.

2) Assuming there is more windshield than I need, I think I'll trim it until the wind is just over my helmet. I'd probably have the final trim done by local glass and plastic shop. Sound like a good idea?

I've cut windshields myself. B) All you need is a jigsaw and a buffing wheel on an electric drill (optional belt sander) and some hand tools.
1.) Using blue "painters tape" on the plastic, draw the profile you wish to cut.

2.) Cut the profile/shape "fat" (leaving a bit of extra material) with the saw.

3.) Using a file, rasp or (God forbid..like I do) a belt sander with 80-120 grit, fine tune the edge to the marks you drew on the tape.

4.) With some 100 grit sandpaper, lightly sand the edge you just cut being careful not to "sand" the flat part of the 'shield.

5.) Using the buffing wheel on the electric drill, take a small amount of polishing compound and burnish the edge you just made. It will polish dark and look like the finish most windshields come with.

OR, take it to a glass shop. However, that could get expensive if you return 2 or 3 times.....

 

[CODan]

No, I'm not sure. But I know that I want to get the wind over my head for noise reduction (noise = fatigue and I don't want to wear earplugs) and there seems to be a real diversity of opinion on what works for which rider heights.

The stock FJR (07) put the wind about my shoulders (I think, it's been a week), but it's definitely not over my head.

So I think I'll start with a very tall shield, tallest I can get. I'm interested in CalSci but they're not responding to email questions. Guess I'll have to call them.

Then cut it down 1" at a time - do the job myself (thanks for the tips btw) until I can just feel the wind over my helmet with my bare hand. Probably have to do it several times.

Then pay the glass company to do a final trim if needed.

Note: passenger is not a consideration, wifey doesn't want to ride and I don't want to take her.

Thanks.

 

[madmike2]

Dan, how tall are you and how tall "in the saddle". Those dimensions help immensely when asking for advice.

For instance, I am 6'2", 32" inseam and with my hands on the controls, it is 37" from my seat (just behind the gas tank) to the top of my head--no helmet).

I have a Russel seat that is 1" taller than OEM on a GEn I ('05).

You really need measurements from someone with a NewGen platform so you are comparing apples to apples.

 

[CODan]

Dan, how tall are you and how tall "in the saddle". Those dimensions help immensely when asking for advice.For instance, I am 6'2", 32" inseam and with my hands on the controls, it is 37" from my seat (just behind the gas tank) to the top of my head--no helmet). I ahve a Russel seat aht is 1" taller than OEM.

I'm 5'10", 30" inseam I think, no idea about sitting distance, but my proportions are pretty typical - at least I look fairly normal, if not too pretty.

I haven't got the FJR, I'm trying to figure out if I can get the comfort to my level. I want to buy the FJR

I'm debating between Honda ST and the FJR, and I've resolved everything but the wind roar issue. But the wind roar with the stock shield is just not acceptable and I've got to figure out, before I buy, if I can get the wind over my head.

 

[madmike2]

I'm debating between Honda ST and the FJR, and I've resolved everything but the wind roar issue. But the wind roar with the stock shield is just not acceptable and I've got to figure out, before I buy, if I can get the wind over my head.

Bottom line:

The CalSci is so quiet on my bike I can ride it without earplugs. Calsci is the only windshield or combo that has ever worked that well for me.

[SIZE=8pt]History:[/SIZE]

I use spacers under by "W" bracket to tilt the windshield back. 1st homemade, later Skyway spacers.

'04 FJR: OEM; Yamaha extra tall; added Laminar Lip.

'05 FJR: OEM, CeeBailey +3+2 w/ flip' Trimmed 1" off flip; CeeBailey +4+2; CalSci Xtall-per Mark's calculations.

 

[sonicspeed]

Dan, how tall are you and how tall "in the saddle". Those dimensions help immensely when asking for advice.For instance, I am 6'2", 32" inseam and with my hands on the controls, it is 37" from my seat (just behind the gas tank) to the top of my head--no helmet). I ahve a Russel seat aht is 1" taller than OEM.

I'm 5'10", 30" inseam I think, no idea about sitting distance, but my proportions are pretty typical - at least I look fairly normal, if not too pretty.

I haven't got the FJR, I'm trying to figure out if I can get the comfort to my level. I want to buy the FJR

I'm debating between Honda ST and the FJR, and I've resolved everything but the wind roar issue. But the wind roar with the stock shield is just not acceptable and I've got to figure out, before I buy, if I can get the wind over my head.

i'm 5'9" , 30" inseam, i use the v-stream shield and when it's all the way up it's almost like sitting in church during a moment of silence. real quiet

 

[Bounce]

No, I'm not sure. But I know that I want to get the wind over my head for noise reduction (noise = fatigue and I don't want to wear earplugs).

problem is that even with a tall windshield, wind pressure on the ear drums can still lead to hearing loss; even behind the barn door of a gold wing. and, after years behind such, i learned that all that venting on your helmet, jacket, and other riding gear doesn't work worth a squat when their's no air flow over the rider. now, on the FJR, i only use a tall shield in the winter and put as small a shield as i can on for in the summer. maximum air flow for maximum cooling.

 

[Knifemaker]

me: 5'10"
Probably buying an 08 FJR - can't quite face the ST1300

I want to buy a windshield that is tall enough so that, when the windshield is all the way up, it tosses the wind over my helmet and head.

Reason - I was very impressed by the quiet behind the ST, which put the wind over my head when all the way up.

1) Anyone else do this?

2) Assuming there is more windshield than I need, I think I'll trim it until the wind is just over my helmet. I'd probably have the final trim done by local glass and plastic shop. Sound like a good idea?

Sounds kinda silly to me. Cee Baily makes diffrent sizes in inch increments...I have a +4" higher and +4 inch wider...(4X4) I'm 5'9" with short legs -tall torso...and the screen is a bit high...

BUT YOU CAN ADJUST THE HEIGHT on the FJR, so I just knock it down a bit if needed...because when my wife is on the back, she sits a bit higher than me, and needs the extra height of the screen. If never plan on having a passenger, then nevermind...

I think you should get the Cee Bailey with the the reverse contour flip...about 3 inches taller or so and try that for awhile. Seems silly to cut down a sheild that you can buy to size...(unless you are cutting one down so it is lower than the stock when adjusted down for summer)

KM

 

[kansas transit]

me: 5'10"
Probably buying an 08 FJR - can't quite face the ST1300

I want to buy a windshield that is tall enough so that, when the windshield is all the way up, it tosses the wind over my helmet and head.

Reason - I was very impressed by the quiet behind the ST, which put the wind over my head when all the way up.

1) Anyone else do this?

2) Assuming there is more windshield than I need, I think I'll trim it until the wind is just over my helmet. I'd probably have the final trim done by local glass and plastic shop. Sound like a good idea?

CODAN, not to be a smart *** but, just take a fairly stiff piece of plastic or cardboard or something similar and ADD 4 inches to the top off your stock screen. And then ride the bike and trim down the add on until you get it where you think you want it and from that measurement order the windscreen that you need. Just a thought. Stan

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Slightly off topic, but peeps mention the spacers for GEN I bike shields for airflow; Skyway sells spacers for the GEN II bikes. But I thought with all the venting the GEN II's don't need the spacers. What does the spacers do for them?

 

[HaulinAshe]

Buy yourself a Cee Bailey +4 wide, +2 high, with flip for the '08. You'll never need earplugs or another shield in any of the four seasons. Best damn all-around shield IMHO. That shield will give you total quiet at about 40% elevation adjustment with very little buffeting on the Gen-II.

Save your stock shield for extreme hot weather of consistently 85F and above.

I'm 5'10" with 30" inseam.

Owned CB shields of various sizes on both Gen-I and Gen-II FJRs. You cannot compare the performance of a given shield between the generations. As mentioned above, the vent and mount changes of the Gen-II bikes changed everything.

 

[Checkswrecks]

The post from Kansas Transit is absolutely right, unless you want to become one of the people who've bought more than one windshield.

Pick up some acrylic or lexan from Home Depot, duct tape it to the existing windshield and cut or raise until you know what you want.

 

[Harald]

Slightly off topic, but peeps mention the spacers for GEN I bike shields for airflow; Skyway sells spacers for the GEN II bikes. But I thought with all the venting the GEN II's don't need the spacers. What does the spacers do for them?

I didn't use the official Skyway spacers, but accomplished the same thing using home=made spacers. What it did for me was reduce the turbulance and reduce the backpressure some. Only cost me a couple bucks for some longer screws and a worthwhile mod to perform.

 

[radman]

Makes more sense than gluing and screwing chunks of plexi onto one thats too short.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Makes more sense than gluing and screwing chunks of plexi on for one thats too short.

Fixed it for ya'.