Catastrophic Rifle Windshield Failure

[Kevin]

I was riding home tonight on my '03 FJR (first and only owner) when I came to my favorite exit -- long, straight, and thankfully tonight nobody in front of me. Wound it up to probably just above triple digits, with the Rifle windshield about halfway up, and WAAAMMM!! I was hit by something incredibly hard. I didn't know what happened in the first few seconds -- the bike was up, I was still riding, didn't hit anything I could see. Then I realized the windshield was laying flat down -- much further down than the normal "down" position. The hit was the unexpected wind blast hitting me in the chest/head.

Doing a dissection at home was interesting. I first thought maybe some of the windshield screws had come off, but they were fine. I have the Rifle tuning block -- the allen-head screws holding it to the windshield frame had sheered clean off. The tuning block had a good amount of rust, especially around these screws. No other damage was done that I can see.

I'm writing to Rifle to get their input. I don't know what the warranty is but this is clearly defective workmanship and potentially dangerous. At the least, I would think they should send a new tuning block. I reinstalled everything without the tuning block.

Those of you with a Rifle had better take a good look. You can't see these screws unless you take the windshield all the way off. And it certainly now is added to my regular maintenance cycle, not to mention some kind of plastic or stainless steel screws going in there.

Any other thoughts or observations are welcome.

Regards,

Kevin

'03 FJR

 

[SkooterG]

So it's not the 'tuning block' that failed, but the screws. Looks like stainless would be a good choice. Weren't these screws pretty much identical to the stock ones?

No problems with mine in all the years and miles, but I will check them soon. Perhaps living in dry Arizona is easier on these components.

Glad to hear the whole experience wasn't catastrophic. Bet it was exciting.

 

[griff]

I had the exact thing happen to my Rifle windshield with tuning block in May 07. I bought the bike used in May 06 with 20K on the clock. The screws failed in May 07 with about 27K on the clock. When I examined the screws, one was pretty rusted and appeared to have sheared off long before the second one sheared and the windshield flopped down. I replaced the screws with stainless steel and check them periodically. Have 53K on the clock now with no more windshield surprises.

 

[user 8909]

time to check the screws and replace them with SS and add a dab of 3M weatherstrip.

 

[Fairlaner]

How sure are that they are not the original screws that came with the bike and the other screws are not the rifle ones?

R

 

[JimLor]

I had screws fail on me also. Not the Rifle, but I did the spacer deal with longer screws (not ss or special screws). ONe side sheared off on Rt 95, but hung on enough so I got home with the shield in the down position. If you search you should find that thread - as I recall some folks had some pretty interesting and thoughtful replies.

 

[FJRandy]

Mine snapped while trailering the bike out to PA last month. On the trailer you could watch the wind hitting the screen much harder.

I replaced them with stainless.

 

[angus]

I just checked mine less than 60 days and real rusty will replace with stainless Saturday.

 

[Fred W]

How sure are that they are not the original screws that came with the bike and the other screws are not the rifle ones?
R

I believe that Richard is correct. If these are the two screws that screw into the two upper holes in the picture above, which seems to be the case as it appears the remainder of the 2 screws are still in the tuning block, those would be the stock screws, not the longer ones provided by Rifle. See instructions here step 3c.

 

[RatoneMuerto]

Wow!Here I am spending most of today getting my bike ready for some serious road time.Looks as if I have something else that I should not take for granted.Maybe I should spend more time on here looking for "gremlin gotchas" .Those little guys can be dangerous to your health!I love this forum!

 

[SkooterG]

Mine snapped while trailering the bike out to PA last month.

Your poor FJR was protesting you making it a trailer queen.

 

[Toecutter]

I had a similar experience with some home-brewed spacers and longer bolts. Sheared off at about 75mph, leaving me with no usable screen in some serious cold air for about 12 miles before getting home. Ended up getting some Skyway spacers and all seems well....

If you're running a spacer setup, it's a good idea to check those bolts regularly, like when changing from winter to summer screen and vice versa.

 

[cadman]

If you're running a spacer setup, it's a good idea to check those bolts regularly, like when changing from winter to summer screen and vice versa.

I run a spacer setup, this is a most excellent suggestion! :clapping:

thanks!

cadman

 

[03silverbullet]

This happened to me twice - and I was using the factory screws. It also happened to Turbodave twice ( I think).

I no longer use the Tuning Block.

 

[Fred W]

This happened to me twice - and I was using the factory screws. It also happened to Turbodave twice ( I think).
I no longer use the Tuning Block.

Why? Do you think it puts too much stress on those screws somehow?

 

[SkooterG]

This happened to me twice - and I was using the factory screws. It also happened to Turbodave twice ( I think).
I no longer use the Tuning Block.

I don't get it. Never a problem for me in 150k+ miles.

 

[03silverbullet]

This happened to me twice - and I was using the factory screws. It also happened to Turbodave twice ( I think).
I no longer use the Tuning Block.

Why? Do you think it puts too much stress on those screws somehow?

Yes, and I think the screws could be a little longer. My screws didn't quite make it threw the Tuning Block.

 

[Kevin]

The people at Rifle wrote back and said they are sending a new tuning block at no charge (even though technically, the tuning block did not fail). Regardless, that's very nice of them considering I purchased this in 2002 and it has a 1-year warranty.

Fred, I am sure you are right -- it really is the Yamaha OEM screws that sheared off but the Rifle also puts additional stresses on this part. I would be curious if anyone who does NOT have a Rifle could pull these screws and see if they are showing any signs of rust. These were covered quite well throughout and no doubt contributed to its failure. Maybe the Rifle somehow allows water to collect here? I don't know.

Does anyone have a clue as to what size screws these might be? It's definitely going to be replaced with stainless and something a bit longer.

Thanks!

Kevin

'03 FJR

 

[tapsport]

I had mine fail while on a trailer, went to nut and bolt shop and got grade 8 screws, havent had a problem since, huh, that happened awhile ago, thought I was the only one, I also have bigger windsheild, not sure what brand