Making my own Reckless fairing shield

[nomadwest]

I have to give Reckless Fairings an A for quality on the fiberglass fairing I purchased. The 10 inch windscreen that came with it I would give a D- for quality. Appears to be nothing more than low quality plexiglass that is cut out flat. After research, I found that the strongest material out there is Lexan Polycarbonate, which is used in most of the high quality motorcycle shields including our stock windshield. The price for a good Lexan 8 or 10 inch shield for the fairing already formed is somewhere in the $75.-$125. range. I am going to order a sheet of 1/8 inch Lexan online and cut out the shape on my little bandsaw. Getting a professional edge involves sanding then hand filing, which I have done on a couple prior windshields after cutting them down. Then I will bend and hold it such that I can bake it at 375 degrees to form it which is what the website says. Here is a site you can order the material from which should be under $20. Will keep you all up to date on my future progress. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=22929&catid=704
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt36/dudewest/Img_0066-small.jpg

[timebandit]

Use 3/16" minimum, I work with plastic at my sign company, 1/8" lexan will buckle in the wind. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

It is the strongest but not necessarily the hardest. :-/

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I'm with Timebandit on the 1/8" as it might not be strong enough. Go with the thickest you can use. It might cost a lttle more but will be worth it in the long run. Just my thought.

[nomadwest]

I measured the stock oem widshield thickness with calipers. It is 1/8 inch thick. If our big windshield will hold up I see no reason a smaller fairing one would not even be better at the same thickness.
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt36/dudewest/Img_0066-small.jpg

[VulcanE]

1/8" will be plenty. When you add the arc of the windshield, and the short height into the equation, there should be very little flexing of the shield. My 9" "ClearView" is only 1/8" thick, and it is ridged, no flexing or buckling up to 115 mph according to the GPS . http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[ringadingh]

Sounds like a neat project, good luck with the results.

[xncrman]

Another trick to get the sanded edges clear and smooth, use a pencil butane torch and run along the edge with the torch and the flame will melt the edge smooth and clear. practice on a cut piece of scrap. A couple test passes and you will be ready to touch up the edges on the shield.

I have also made my own shields and instead of placing them in the oven, I install them on the fairing I am making them for then use an inexpensive heat gun waving across the surface to warm it just to don't touch temperature then let cool. That will take the stress out of the polycarb and give it the relaxed shape to the fairing.

It's the built in stress that will cause the quick fracture if a stone hits it hard if not relieved to the new shape. Good Luck and have fun with the project.

[nomadwest]

OK, I made my own shield. Bought a sheet of Lexan .125 thickness. Cut it out and and formed by using a heat gun while having it curved about double the radius since it springs back some. It looks great except for one thing. There is no hard coating on it like the ones from National Cycle. It shows swirls just from drying it with a cotton towel. Not bad, but if you are a perfectionist like myself, I would pay the extra $ and buy one. It did allow me to experiment with different heights tho. I started out with about 9" above the fairing. Then finally cut it down to 7.5 " to where I can see over it all the time. The shape of the fairing with the shield allows the air to go much higher over my head then the stock windshield. The picture shows it at 9 inches. http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt36/dudewest/Image1.jpg

[Top Cat]

I used lexan on a set of lowers for Cindy's bike and when I cleaned them with anything other than soap and water they discolored. I threw them away and made another set and now only use soap and water and they stay clear.