Stock windscreen modification?

[bigtallguy]

So went on the first real ride with the wife today. The bike did well but my head hurt from the buffeting I got on the interstate.

I did search and read about the tuning blocks and aftermarket screens but am thinking of cutting vents into the stock screen to see if that helps.

Anyone else to that and how did it turn out?

 

[sportrider]

I installed a vent from the Honda Goldwing in my tall Yamaha shield and it took away the buffeting and back pressure for me. I will take a pic and post, but it cost me $40. for the vent and I dremelled out a hole and screwed it in. Not a perfect fit since our windshields are thicker, but it is very secure. I'm 6'1" with 34" inseem and I am happy with this mod.

 

[madmike2]

Making our own spacer is a cheap experiment. If it works, it's inexpensive:if it doesn't work, you've not destroyed your windshield.

You might see if there are any Gen I owners near you who'd let you try one of their oversize windshields. I've let a few people try some of my "extras" to see what works for them.

Hmmmmm, IIRC, FlyingJR is due to try one of mine. Oh Walt....

 

[UHOH]

So went on the first real ride with the wife today. The bike did well but my head hurt from the buffeting I got on the interstate.

I seldom ride 2-up, but once did combined with heavy load too, on freeway & I got big time buffeting then, too.

Think the fundamental change in bike angle (rear down) brought it on.

If you're new to the bike, try riding freeway without wife before you get too excited.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Don; "Bearly Flying" has done this cutting you mention. Shoot 'im a pm

:jester:

 

[Fred W]

Well, being named bigtallguy, I assume you're really a tall guy? :blink:

For those of us who sit fairly tall in the saddle (I'm 6'2"w/ long torso vs. long legs) you need to get the shield way down (via a tuning block or spacers) or way, way up.

In summer months I run a stock shield with a rifle tuning block and leave it nearly all the way down most of the time. That will be the smoothest air stream you'll ever get. The extra space of the tuning block (or spacers) lets the air in under the shield significantly. More than cutting a hole in it will. In fact I regularly have bugs splattered on the back side of the shield. Now, out on the highway, in truck traffic you're still gonna feel the turbulence. Ain't no escaping that.

This time of year in the Northeast I run a Rifle Touring windshield. It's a really big chunk of plastic, over 6" taller than the stock shield. I still use it with the tuning block as that helps reduce the buffeting and back pressure. If I raise it all the way up I just have a riffle of wind hit glancing off the top of my head and I can still look over the top of the shield. But anytime I run that shield and get into any sort of a twisty section I'm always lowering it down to get it out of the way. Just don't like having to see part of the road ahead through a windshield.

Windshields are a very subjective and personal choice. You'll undoubtedly try several before you settle on one (or two or three).

 

[RsvlFeej]

Rifle tuning block smooths airflow TREMENDOUSLY w/ stock shield in nearly all positions on Gen Is.

Cheapo (and quite a bit less effective, but still helpful) route for Gen I only is to:

1. Remove plastic screws holding "W" onto windshield.

2. Watch the shield slip sideways onto mirror and bind up the last screw.

3. Cuss.

4. Unbind and remove last screw; pull off "W" and windshield.

5. Lay windshield on the nearest hard surface.

6. Remove two bolts holding windshield support to windshield motor arms.

7. Observe the spring-loaded arms and windshield support part ways in a surprising manner.

8. See step 3.

9. Put the allan-head bolts - that held the spring-loaded arms to the windshield support - in your pocket.

10. Go to your local hardware store.

11. Attempt to buy Teflon washers with the hole diameter that matches the allan head bolts in your pocket.

12. See step 3.

13. Go home, pull bolts out of pocket of grungy work shirt you changed out of before you went to the hardware store, return to store.

14. Buy (2) 5/16" or (2) 3/8" inch thick Teflon washers with about 3/4" - 1" external diameter and with a hole diameter slightly larger than the allan head bolts.

15. Look for 2 slightly (1/2" to 1 1/2") longer allan-head bolts w/ the same thread as the bolts you brought from home.

16. After 10 minutes, quit looking in the "Standard" bolt bin and find the bolts in the "Metric" bolt bin.

17. Buy the 2 longer allan-head bolts w/ the correct metric thread pattern.

18. Return home to bike.

19. Stick the Teflon washers (now known as 'spacers') between the spring-loaded arms and the windshield support.

20. Try to line up the new, longer bolts through the windshield support, spacers, and spring-loaded motor arms.

21. Cross thread the second bolt.

22. See step 3.

23. Replace windshield and "W". Note the fresh scratches on the former from Step 5.

24. See step 3.

25. Line up and install plastic screws.

26. Back off the 3 screws that are too tight so the last 2 screw holes, "W", and shield will line up.

27. Over-tighten and break off plastic screw(s) when doing your final-final double-check that all the screws are properly tightened.

28. See step 3.

29. Go to dealer and pay $1.14 for each replacement screw(s).

30. See step 3.

31. Use a thumbnail to unscrew first broken off plastic screw from the front of the bike.

32. Figure out the broken-off screw ends stick out 1/4" on the driver's side of the windshield. Easily remove other broken screws. Feel proud.

32. Apply new screws where needed.

33. Adjust screen and go for a test ride.

What the preceding procedure produced was a stock shield that provided fairly clean air in two positions - all the way down and at about 3/4 of the way up. A bit better than stock, not nearly as good as a tuning block. I still haven't found my ideal 'winter shield' setup.

Good luck,

RsvlFeej

 

[03HiYoSilver]

....and if you want to to cut some Vent Holes, this may be an option here:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum/lofiversion/...p/t7434-50.html

 

[worldbound4now]

I had initially cut vent holes in my stock screen on my '05 and had mediocre results. I now have a rifle on year-round with the tuning block and am happy. In the summer, I ride with it full low and the wind hits my neck, perfect for the open collar on my suit to send wind in the top and out the pit and back vent holes. It keeps me content.

In the winter time, I raise the rifle about 30% from full down and the wind smooths out a bit and isn't so cold on my neck. I'm 5'11" with a tall torso. The Rifle is not perfect, but it was an IMMENSE improvement over the stock shield and, for me, was worth every penny spent.

 

[CAJW]

While my reply won't be anywhere near as entertaining as reading step #3 a half dozen times, I have cut vents in my stock windscreen. They are the same shape and size as my CalSci Tall which work well on the CalSci, lousy on the stock windscreen. I used a dremel and 400-600 grit sandpaper to finish up the edges, but it wasn't work the trouble for my 6'1" frame (basically all leg). Cutting vents was a waste of time IMHO, but your results may be different.

 

[RatoneMuerto]

Lots of cheap tweaks out there.My 04 runs with a Rifle and it has the same curve as the Yamaha Stratoliner so I added a laminar lip.Looks funky but there is zero turbulence with my setup.My best tip for a Gen1 would be get a Rifle windscreen and go from there.If you do get a taller windshield keep an eye on those nylon screws and keep a few in your glovebox.No fun having your windshield snap off at speed.Keep your stock screen for summer riding.Works well with the Rifle tuning block

 

[Fred W]

One thing worth mentioning whenever discussing Rifle windshields is that they make two different size shields for 1st gens (Sport and Touring). The Sport is 2 1/2" taller than the stock '04 / '05 ('03's were shorter) and the Touring is a whopping 6 1/4" taller. Note that the above measurements are the windshield itself. Since the shields all get tipped back some by the "tuning block" the actual gain in windshield height is nowhere near as much as the measurement.

For 2nd gens, Rifle windshields are available in 3 different standard heights (+1, +3 & +5), but they can also be ordered in "custom" sizes for whatever you need.

My point is, if you say you have a Rifle, you may want to mention which one you have.

I have both the Sport and Touring shields from Rifle and use them both at various times of the year, along with the stocker in the heat of summer.

IMO the Touring is just too big to run anytime other than when it's freeze your *** off cold (like now). But at this time of year it provides a lot of weather protection and you can get fully behind it.

The sport is a nice compromise shield for spring or fall shield or when the temperature varies through the day or you don't know what weather you'll be likely to hit. I could live with that one year round.

But in the heat of mid-summer, running a stock shield with the rifle tuning block is the answer to heat relief. With the shield all the way down it's like it's not even there.

 

[BrunDog]

On my Gen I: Calsci Medium and spacers made a world of difference. Perfect air bubble? No, but pretty close.

-BD

 

[bigtallguy]

I'm picking up a rifle tuning block first to see if that gets it where I want. Looks like vents may not be the best choice so I'll hold off for now.

If the tuning block doesn't do it I'll try to find a used aftermarket one to try out. B)

Thanks!

 

[RichardS]

I love my gen II +3 ht Rifle, both summer & winter. I'm 5-10, see over the Rifle at about 45% raised. The only buffeting I get, whether riding single or double is when I wear my helmet, or when following a semi. For cold weather, I wear ear muffs & set the Rifle full up.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Making our own spacer is a cheap experiment. If it works, it's inexpensive:if it doesn't work, you've not destroyed your windshield.
You might see if there are any Gen I owners near you who'd let you try one of their oversize windshields. I've let a few people try some of my "extras" to see what works for them.

Hmmmmm, IIRC, FlyingJR is due to try one of mine. Oh Walt....

MM2 is very wise.
My stock windscreen on my Gen1 is fine no buffeting issues. My giant barn door V-Stream is horrible, tons-O-buffeting. Those spacers MM2 talked about... did the trick. I first just used a bunch of washers until I got it perfected, than had a friend whip me up some spacers. That's just me though.

Make sure the windscreen and mechanism don't hit the tupperware anywhere or binds too much.

Check out my post here.

 

[BrunDog]

Had to do a search, but I dug up this old thread. Sorry my photos suck:

Hit Me Chief!

-BD

 

[blueman]

I will only say one word Cee Bailey. Oh thats two. I really love it, no buffet up or down.

 

[fastpappy]

I will only say one word Cee Bailey. Oh thats two. I really love it, no buffet up or down.

More info please. What size +2+2?? Stanard contour or reverse flip?? What is your frame tall short?? Inquiring minds want to know. :huh: