Topic: Windshield thoughts

[csendker]

I try to squeeze everything I can out of our riding season, but then I do live in Buffalo, NY.  Running back & forth to work while its in the 30's & 40's isn't too bad if you dress for it, but I always wondered about how much a windshield would help or hurt.  So off to e-buy I go, and after many, many tries, I score one for $17; a reasonably low-cost experiment.  I didn't want anything dramatic, or huge or too noticeable, and this one fits the bill just right (well, except for the wrong 1" bar clamps, but I made them work anyway).  Thoughts from my first run or two:

-My chest doesn't get that blast of cold air, making it a much warmer run.  I think it will extend the season as long as it stays dry.
-My head gets buffeted around a bit.  I'm going to experiment with the rake angle some to see if I can minimize this.  I'm tilting it back some to try and smooth out the airflow, I think I may be getting some backwash from too straight an angle now.
-Doesn't do squat for my hands, but my new Kevlar/thinsulate winter gloves are a zillion times better than my usual vented armored ones.

It's a quick disconnect model, so I can pull it in a flash if the weather is nice.  When it's on, you really can't see it too much which is what I wanted; inconspicuous & incognito.  I'm thinking I'm going to like this.

[Klark Kent]

try wearing surgical or vinyl dishwashing gloves under your gloves.  the windchill is dramatically less.  good luck with the windshield and keep us posted- i gave up my search and just got a warmer jacket.
-KK

[csendker]

Good idea w/the gloves.  The insulated ones I got are pretty good, but it still gets a bit cold by the time I make it in to work.  I have a box of the surgical ones around, and I'll give it a shot.

I have a textile/leather jacket and use a fleece pull-over under for warmth (I don't have the official liner for my jacket).  That's worked well, but I always wondered about a windscreen.  It helps cut down the cold blast on the chest, but at the price of some head-buffeting.  Not bad under 45/50 mph, my usual commute max. speed, but it gets noticible nearer to highway speeds.  I haven't hit the interstate with it yet.

[cb350twin]

What brand is that shield ?

[Brunow]

off tropic: Nice mirror's where did you find them? 

[csendker]

The shield is a National Cycle: Deflector Screen DX --> http://shop.nationalcycle.com/perl/cycle/N2594?  Fully adjustable with rake, angle, height, etc and has quick disconnect mounts for those nice days when you don't want it on.  Clear screen for that discreet look.  My bar mounts, besides being 1" (grrrr), are different from the catalog.  I have a more finished look (bolted, split-plastic clamp with quick disconnect) than the U-clamp style indicated.

But I got it off e-buy from this guy --> http://stores.ebay.com/AMERICAS-TREASURES_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

He doesn't have any bike stuff up now, but has occasionally listed windscreens, trunks & floorboards, etc. at reasonable starting prices & decent shipping.  Of course, you never know when one will slip through cheap or when it starts up on a nasty bidding run.

I found the mirrors when I found the bike, which is to say they came with it.  They fold up; handy for tight spaces or when I bump them, which is often.  I swapped them out for OEM-style mirrors - they lasted less than a day.  I find what's behind me is infinitely more interesting and helpful than looking at my wimpy biceps.  Maybe if I start going to the gym, I'll switch back.  There's no identifying marks on them, but I've seen something similar in JC Whitney and elsewhere.  Read this thread --> http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=14049.msg137668#msg137668 for more on bar end mirrors.

[cb650]

I have a little national like that and a mier(SP?).  Like them both.   I use ski gloves when its real cold.
Was thinkin on some nice riding gloves but moved to within a mile of work.





                             Terry

[Chris Schneiter]

I have a (I think National) "Street Shield" 17". I like yours (clear) mine has some shading at the bottom. I leave mine on all the time.. I can ride a LOT longer with it...I don't feel as if I'm being blown off the bike, and before, if I got up to about 65, my helmet would ride back on my head, and I'd get blown all over the place. Now 80 is a smooth as 60. I too wanted a minimal look. Afriend has a shadow with a big assed cop shield. I think even though he feels no wind, they're FUGLY!

[burmashave]

try wearing surgical or vinyl dishwashing gloves under your gloves.  the windchill is dramatically less.  good luck with the windshield and keep us posted- i gave up my search and just got a warmer jacket.
-KK

I'm using silk glove liners from WinterSilks.  They're very thin, but they wick moisture away and keep my fingers warm.  I use their "heavyweight" liners, but they're still thin enough to fit inside my gloves.. 

[Uncle Ernie]

If you're serious about warm hands, Google Hippo Hands

[techy5025]

Question...are you running standard handlebars....and if not...do you think the
windshield would fit on standard ones?  Also, does quick disconnect mean that
everything comes off...or just the windshield from the clamps.  And...do you
look over or through the windshield?

Looks neat.  I am looking for a new one...maybe two for the bikes.

Jim

[csendker]

Standard bars --> yes I have them, yes this fits.

Quick disconnect --> leaves a small clamp (well, two actually; one each side...) on the bars, everything else comes off, fast removal & rather inconspicuous.

I look over the windshield by several inches; top's chin high or so (~6'-0" tall & it's on a 550).  If I actually see something through it, I will be hitting it an instant later as it would only be a foot or two in front of me by then.

I've noticed that I can't hear my engine nearly as much anymore, I've been paying a lot closer attention to my tach.  I suspect the increased wind around my full-face helmet covered noggin is a bit louder than before the windshield as opposed to my bike suddenly becoming magically quieter.  When I first installed it, I had it set pretty vertical.  I got lots of turbulence off the top, so I pulled the rake angle back a bit.  The airflow has smoothed out, but there seems to be this increased wind noise.  I'm still playing with the angle to see if I can find some sort of 'sweet-spot'.  I've only ridden with it a couple of times thanks to the opressive rain, and yesterday was ultra-windy so I couldn't tell much of anything but simply hang on for dear life as I got blown all over the place.

[csendker]

Here's some pics.  The one is a general shot from the backside and the other is a close-up of one of the two supports.  I circled the clamp that is left behind after the quick-disconnect removal.  Keep in mind, I got the 1" bar clamps and had to 'shim'it out with whatever I could find lying around, thus the black wrap on the bars.  The proper clamp would be a cleaner install.  I'll fix it up over the winter, for now I just wanted it on.

[techy5025]

Thanks for the pics...that makes things clearer as their salesite isn't too clear.  One
of the problems that I have with the old windshield is that it tends to fold
back at highway speeds...70ish.  The mounting is just not too good.

Its hard to find new windshields for older bikes.  The ones available in the 70's tended
to have a mounting arrangement customized for the bike and are no longer made of course.

Thanks again..Jim

[csendker]

Odd you should mention that.  I just did a run on the interstate today, and lo and behold at 70 mph.  No problems whatsoever.  If you want any more pics or close-ups, just let me knw and I'll post them.

[DarkRider]

I recall looking at a windscreen that was a sort of universal fit unit called a spitfire. it was a small sheild that i liked the look of. Im almost considering one for the K4 even though im going Cafe with it..

[mennedy]

I have the same one on my 550K and love it. It is enough to deflect flying objects (safety was #1 reason for buying), break the wind in your chest (reduces fatigue on long rides and increases stability on windy days) and it still looks good on the bike because it is minimalist. Someone called it a "bikini shield". It pops off in a second but I have never taken it off. It is a universal and I paid $100 for mine.

[mcpuffett]

for some of the new sports bikes you can change the screen on the fairing for a taller one & its supposed to cut out the buffering of your head , so maybe a taller screen would do the same ? mick.

[csendker]

I would think that a windscreen tall enough would certainly deflect the wind over your head as opposed to into it, but I'm thinking it would have to be really tall.  And the taller the windscreen, the more sturdy it would have to be to keep from deforming at high speed.  And I only wanted a discreet one to minimize the blast of cold air in the winter.  The first install caused a lot of turbulance directly behind the screen as it was too vertical.  Now it's adjusted so the air flow is a lot smoother & cleaner, but hits just below my chin.  I'm going to continue to play with the rake angle & adjustments to see how high I can get the impact and still have clean airflow.

I don't want to have to look through it, I just want it to deflect the air off my chest.  My commute & typical riding is about 45 mph and below and about 15~20 minutes each way.  If I were doing long distance, then maybe a larger windscreen as the air blast is now concentrated on my head, but I don't get too fatigued on my commute and with the full-face, I don't really care if I get a bigger blast in the face.

I guess you should look at your riding habits when deciding on whether or not, or which windscreen to get.

[Chris Schneiter]

Here's mine.."Street shield" From J.C. Whitney. It has two sets of braces. One clamps to the bars, and the other the forks