Topic: 750 windshield - pro or con?

[skamania19]

My '77 750K came with a windshild. I've tried it and no matter how I adjust it, once I get up to about 55-60 MPH the air hitting my helmet sounds like a freight train. I took it off and even though I get more wind on my chest the noise is cut down quite a bit.

Any tricks of the trade I should know about? How about helmet style? Right now I have a full face helmet. Am wondering if a different style might be quieter in regards to wind noise. Looking for opinions on windshield use.

[kghost]

Are you over 6' ?

I have found most windshields/fairings are not make for tall people, consequently the wind over them hits me about eyebrow level. This leads to allot of buffet and noise.

That being said some people have had success putting weatherstrip's over the top lip of thier windshields/fairings redirecting the blast just enough to go over thier heads.

You might try various thickness or contour types till you get the desired effect.

[skamania19]

Nice tip, thanks. I'm 6' with a long torso so that might be the problem. I will give the stripping a try.

[KB02]

My opinion is to go with out. I, too, am jst over 6' tall. My first bike had a windscreen on it that was easily removable. I used it evey now and then, but used it less and less as time went on due to the buffeting of my head. As the helmet I wa suing at the time was egtting older (and the padding was breaking down on the inside), the buffeting actualy cause one heck of  head ache if I used the fairing. I ended up just leaving it in the basement and eventually sold it with the bike.

You might wan to try one of the smaller windscreens, like the ones that they use on the naked sport bikes. They are enough to cut some of the wind resistace down, but not so big that we redirect it all straight into your face.

Just my 2 cents.

[eldar]

There are different sizes too. A standalone windshield is adjustable to some extent. You can raise them up or down and lean them forward or back. Fairings can get longer shields in most cases. I guess I never have experienced this noise so maybe it has to do more with your helmet design.

[Raul CB750K1]

I don't like the look of aftermarket windshields. Unless the fairings are designed together with the bike they generally spoil the looks. I would rather remove it and lean a little forward or reduce the speed a little (or both). They can even be dangerous if attached to the forks.

You can very easily ruin you bikes' aerodynamics. I remember when I rented a Electra Glide and was running alone, the bike developed a big wobble, that didn't happen at the same speed when I was riding with my wife on the back seat. It could only be because of the air putting pressure in the backrest and so lifting the front wheel, even when the Electra have a big fairing with stereo included.

Just my 2 cents...

[MikeDeB]

A quarter fairing like the one on my K2 works great.  No buffeting like the taller windshields.

[eldar]

A backrest can certainly change dynamics. I got a tall one and had a full size pad for it. BIG resistance. Now I run without the pad unless I have a passenger. Now it is not a problem.

I use a windjammer 5 fairing. It is more aerodynamic than the older fairings and I got a tall windshield on it. So far I have not had an issue but I have not done hyway travel since putting on the taller shield.

[douglascoolgrey]

Step 1: Get to highway speed
Step 2: Feet on rear foot-pegs, chest on tank, elbows down against your body
Step 3: Pray you don't need your rear break in a hurry

Have you ever seen the picture of Rollie Free breaking the production bike speed record in a bathing suit?
http://thevincent.com/vinbath.htm
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/15october02vincentmotors.html

[ofreen]

I installed a Windjammer SS on my 750 in the winter of 1977 during the gas shortage and it has been on there since.  I thought at the time I would take it off during the summers, but I grew to like not having bugs stuck all over me when I got to work.  Later on, I lived 14 years in southcentral Alaska, and it helped extend the riding season.  Because of the fairing, the 750 was the last bike I put away in the fall, and the first one out in the spring.  It is quiet behind the fairing (except for a little reflected engine noise) and has lots of storage.  Contrary to some opinions, I think it looks pretty good, too.  Good Windjammers are still out there, and worth considering.  Downsides are they are a little heavy, and work a little too well in hot weather.

Greg
'75 CB750F

[Raul CB750K1]

I rectify. I like the small wind deflectors like the used in cafe-racers or racing replica bikes like Ducati 900SS, Laverda SFC or the BMW R90S. In other cases it all depends of the design, but the -one size fits all- is not my cup of tea.

Raul

[Steve F]

I've had both the small "quarter fairings" and the larger shields, and hated them both.  I was getting too much buffeting to make the fairing enjoyable, or even somewhat useful.  I'd rather have no fairing at all unless it covers everything like on a Goldwing.  At least without a fairing, the wind pressure is even and constant, and you're not getting all the head-rattling wind.