Raising Stock Windshield

[funtogo]

I am going to raise my windshield up 2 inches.As it is I am looking through it at the upper edge.Hopefully,this will help on the helmet buffeting and give less wind for winter riding.If anyone has done this,please post on your experience. I will have to drill two holes on each side of the bracket to mount it.

Johnny

[jestephens]

I know some guys like to look through the windshield, but i think traditional advice will suggest the top of the shield to be about 2" under your nose, so you look over the top.

You'll notice the difference while driving at night. Bugs and tiny scratches will diffuse lights coming at you and make it very difficult to see. Let alone rain . . .

Windshield height WILL affect buffetting, but I think I would go the other way. - I had to cut 2" off my shield to get it low enough.

[psychocycle]

Are you sure you want to raise it 2"? If I understand what your saying this will cause you to now be looking through your windshield. I know some riders especially on large cruisers like a wing or ultra have huge windscreens that they look through but to me this is the least desirable option. I would sooner put up with some mild head buffeting rather than look through a windshield, especially in the pouring rain. Looking through a windshield in the rain can be dangerous. A re-curve windshield will allow you to still see over your windshield and give you another 3" of invisible windshield protection from buffeting. Your call! :)

[dank]

I suggest that you first try putting a temporary rim up there just to make certain it modifies air flow in the way you want. It may cause more back pressure on your helmet. I notice that as I raise my windshield on the ST1300, but it doesn't have the buffeting issue, so I don't know what impact this will have on head buffeting. Increasing the gap at the bottom may also result in more wind coming up under your chin.

More importantly, if this a results in your looking through the windshield, it causes a big problem if it rains. I can raise the ST1300 shield until I look through it, which is great in the cold:" nice quiet air pocket. But I have found I have to put it back down so I look over it in the rain or my vision is terrible. I kept my Nomad's below my line of sight because it wasn't adjustable. Yours won't be adjustable, so take care that you don't cause yourself a problem, an unsafe situation, if you get out on a ride this winter and it starts to rain.

[cactusjack]

Before I would drill holes in very expensive chrome bracketry, I'd try some larger lowers. I don't think raising the shield is going to help, especially if you're looking through it already. I'm 6'1" and I have my shield set so I look over it, not through it. I also have large lowers and have minimal buffetting. I think you are treating the symptom, not the problem.

[Cajunrider]

Johnny,
Take my advise, don't raise the winscreen. I had mine at the highest adjustment for over a year. Although it did help a little with the buffeting, it makes it extremely hard to see where you are going while heading into a rising or setting sun and against oncoming headlights when a few bugs are splattered on it. I lowered mine to the lowest setting where it originally was and don't have to stretch my neck to see when the screen gets a little dirty.

[phenrichs]

If you truly need a windshield modification I recommend you consider a clearview shield. You can get a taller shield, they offer a recurve at the top to redirect the air and all of them are 2 inches wider and mount to the stock bracketry.

[jmilucky]

I've had the extra tall windscreen on a Goldwing - in rain, night, fog and cold weather it was a disaster to see through. When you look through the windshield [no blowers or windshield wipers like a car] it will fog up or become blurred. Plus, you might be looking through as many as three items. The windshield, your face shield and your sun or regular glasses.

I really discourage high mileage riders from the hide behind the windshield technique.

The others who recommend, extra lowers and the Clearview with recurve are steering you in the right direction. The recurve will push the air over your head and still let you see over the top. Even with a half helmet, I find limited buffeting with the recurve screen. Plus ride with a 3/4 helmet with full face shield or full face helmet but that's a discussion for another thread.

Jim

[mercianbike]

Originally Posted by jestephens

I had to cut 2" off my shield to get it low enough.

You may have previously discussed how you cut the top off your windshield. If so, could you direct me to that link? I'm 6'1" with my windshield set at it's lowest position and I'm still looking through it rather than over it. It might be easiest just to buy a Clearview that's shorter than my stock 21" height.

[caddman11]

I bought a Clearview to solve the problem--I don't look through the shield, I look over it. The recurve edge get the wind over your head so you don't buffet. I do believe that they want you to see the ground about 40 feet in front of your bike--that's how you determine the height of the shield. Keep an eye on their site--they usually have great prices in their scratch and dent bin.

[MikeInFla]

I have mine set just below my line of sight, I can look through it or above it. If I could not look above my windshield in bad weather I would have to stop. You just can't see when rain and fog get intense.

I'd consider the larger lowers as suggested earlier.

[Netnorske]

Larger lowers in conjuction with some engine guard chaps will eliminate the head buffeting and make for a nice comfortable ride. As the others have said....better to look over your windshield than through it!

[funtogo]

Raised the shield 2 inches today and took a 250 mile run with it.It left a large wind hole between my larger chuckster lowers and the shield,which increased the airflow quite a bit on my body and arms.I taped cardboard over the holes temporarily and this gave me a nice smooth pocket and made for a very comfortable ride.I am looking thru the windshield,and realize this is not the best thing for riding in the rain.If I keep it this way, it will be for winter riding only,as I put the shield all the way down in warmer weather and look over it.I will also make larger lowers to cover the hole above the lowers.If in a downpour,I can stop and adjust it down in 5 minutes.I do prefer looking over the windshield for most of my riding. I agree the clearview option is probably the way to go,and will keep this in mind.Thanks to all who replyed for your comments and advice.I will post later on what I end up with.

Johnny