what is it for?

[joeincalif]

I just got back from a 5 day cruise up the California coast. Great Ride.
Today I took the bike apart to clean it. This time I took the windshield off and tore it apart. What does the clear plastic part that is on the bottom inside half of the shield do?

[cactusjack]

It adjusts to open or close the gap around the headlight.

[skiman]

It to close the gap over the headlight when you move the windshield up or down.

[mapleleafalumnus]

To give a little more info on what it does:
This allows you to adjust the airflow through the windshield. Some riders complain about air buffeting on their helmet, and this "window" (for lack of a better term) allows the rider to "relocate" where the air converges. It's quite difficult to find each rider's sweet spot for preference, and requires some experimentation.
As an example, I am 5'11", and I keep the window completely closed, i.e. all the way down flush against the headlamp.

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by joeincalif

I just got back from a 5 day cruise up the California coast. Great Ride.
Today I took the bike apart to clean it. This time I took the windshield off and tore it apart. What does the clear plastic part that is on the bottom inside half of the shield do?

This is a quote from 'Gadget's Fixit Page'.

"There's a piece of plastic in the center of my Nomad windshield above the headlight that slides vertically. Dirt builds up between that piece and the windshield and is unsightly. Can I just remove the sliding part? Does it have any real function?"

You can remove the 'window' without worrying about the windshield but you'll have to replace it with spacers the same thickness on each side to take its place in the windshield bracket.

On the other hand, you might want to play with it a little because the part 'does' serve a purpose.

First is cosmetic. If you have your shield up most of the way you have a large gap between the top of your headlight and bottom of the shield. Sliding the window down fills that gap. You can dress it up further by adding a strip of cockpit trim (from a hobby shop) to the edge of the window above the headlight.

Second and more important it's an aero aid.

A lot of head buffeting is caused by air flowing around the edges of the windshield then coming back together in the low pressure area behind the shield. By raising or lowering that window (adding more or less air behind the shield) you can actually 'move' the center of the low pressure area and reduce helmet buffeting substantially. It takes some riding and adjusting to find the sweet spot and it'll be different depending where your windshield is adjusted and your height/distance from the shield so there's no magic formula.

Keeping the area between the window and the shield clean can be a challenge but if you take the shield apart once or twice a year while doing your normal cleaning/maintenance it'll stay fairly clean (looking) until water gets between the panes again. You can try making a gasket using a double thickness of plastic wrap (only because it's clear). Sandwich a strip of the wrap between the window and your windshield along the top edge to help keep water out.

[fish]

Traps dirt

[joeincalif]

Thank you for the answer. I appreciate the help.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by fish

Traps dirt

cover the bottom of the shield like this.

[Vulcan Bill]

joeincalif...Liked the pics. Would luv to go riding in your area of the country. It would be a complete change of pace from the desert riding I do.
someday.....

[joeincalif]

Originally Posted by Vulcan Bill

joeincalif...Liked the pics. Would luv to go riding in your area of the country. It would be a complete change of pace from the desert riding I do.
someday.....

Where I live there is all kinds of great riding. A lot is mountains and desert but we manage to go up the coast a couple times a year. Here are a few more of the coast and the desert



and the desert

[Silent Sam]

Yea Vucan Bill...if I can ever ride again...I'd like to take that Pacific Coast Ride with you (I had to cancel for this fall)..So Close..yet so far !

[Vulcan Bill]

Originally Posted by Silent Sam

Yea Vucan Bill...if I can ever ride again...I'd like to take that Pacific Coast Ride with you (I had to cancel for this fall)..So Close..yet so far !

That's always been my dream ride. Start at San Francisco and head north hugging the coast as much as possible. When we hit the Canadian border we decide weather to keep going north (next stop Alaska) or hang a right. Plenty of time to get your inner windshield thingamabob adjusted right on that ride!

[cnc]

Originally Posted by fish

Traps dirt

Originally Posted by Top Cat

cover the bottom of the shield like this.

What and have one less excuse to escape into the garage to my man cave?
I think not I will continue to clean it.

[Silent Sam]

Vulcan Bill..Pacific Coast Highway Ride..(while I'm dreaming)..We could go on up and attend that Western Canadian Con-Fab that Ricky Boy is suggesting..Even if that dont get off the ground- we could pull in and "bum" an Moose Dinner !

Let me know if you decide to try that ride !