thank you megatiker. i am going to try also. to have two windshields. your looks very protective to long trips..
Of all the screens I've seen, the one by Tony, The Beer Hunter, that Aussie genius, caught my fancy. If his pictures don't appear above then look at post #95 in this thread. I scored a clean KLR screen on eBAY for $40 and went to work. I trimmed the edges off and, using the black thing from the bike as a template, cut the bottom..fully to expose the headlight and losing that pesky Kawasaki in the bargain. Then, having not much to do except wait to go on a fishing trip, I spent a stupid amount of time dressing the cut edges. I wet sanded from 80 to 1500 and then polished them with Simichrome. It turned out pretty well. The screen came with the mounting hardware and the most important bits were the threaded spacer/grommet things. I was afraid I was going to have to machine some delrin spacers but it turned out that all I had to do was get a couple of longer machine screws (M5 x 35) and fasten it right on top of that black thing. As Tony said: "It works a treat!" And the price was right.
Bill , that looks brilliant, better than mine. You found a way of getting rid of the kawa logo. I might have to tweak mine now. Good work buddy. Im still happy with the performance after 7000kms , factory touring screen on the shelf.
Ok, I've taken the plunge & have bought a cheap KLR screen, but how the heck do you trim/cut a hard plastic windscreen without it cracking or shattering??
I wish I knew but, honestly, I don't. I cut mine on a metal cutting bandsaw. I suppose you could figure out some way to stabilize the thing while using a hand jigsaw but I can't imagine how. It's important to get those side cuts straight and you really need two hands and a table to feed it into the blade. You need a fine toothed blade and have to feed it slowly so you don't melt the plastic too much. If somebody held a gun to my head I could probably grind the side flanges off with a belt sander (you'd have to have one of those, too) but I don't know how you'd make those inside cuts on the bottom. I'd dig up a friend with a bandsaw. Drilling the holes for the mounting is no problem - thought you'd like some good news. Whatever tools you use, you are going to be handling the screen a lot and the risk of damaging it is high. I covered the whole thing with blue painter's tape and peeled it off and the end. I think it's really a good idea to do this. Also, when you lay out your cuts on the bottom...you do it right on the tape and cut the line. Good luck and keep us posted. Bill
They make a plastic cutting jigsaw blade. I know Home Depot had it with the Plexiglas sheets. It worked like a charm when I made some plastic parts in the past.
I have cut numerous windscreens using a plexiglass blade in my jig saw, use a medium to a medium fast speed DO NOT have the jigsaw go to slowly or the blade will catch and crack the plastic. Just make sure when cutting a tight radius that you allow the melted plexiglass to clear. Yes, it will melt some but if you back up the blade while running and sort of make the cut wider you will get through it cleanly. Go slowly down your cut line, be accurate. When you are done cutting you will have to smooth the edge. I use a course file first, then sand it smooth insuring the the minor ridges and imperfections from cutting are smoothed out. Once that is accomplished you can use finer grade sandpaper or use a propane torch held two or three inches from the edge and heat it until you see is shine and move further down the cut. Be VERY careful if you do it this way. Best to practice on some off fall from the cut.
Thanks for the replies gentlemen. All my mates are even more mechanically challenged than I am so the chances of any of them having a band saw is two fifths of jack. A plexiglass jigsaw blade sounds way cheaper than buying a band saw & a belt sander..... Plexiglass blade it is - I'll have a go at it after I return from my high country jaunt in a couple of weeks; no time to do it before I leave on Monday. The 2 plastic "Big Dog" windscreens I made a while ago will finally get some use!
Had a window of time become available so I had a go at the KLR screen conversion. Used a fine 21 tooth metal jigsaw blade to cut the screen to shape, filed and sanded back the rough edges. Doesn't look too bad as it is but when I get back I'll use finer wet & dry paper & polish the edges. The Husky sticker peeled off the black OEM screen thing in one piece and looks good on the KLR screen
Peter at Screens For Bikes made this screen up for me in a dark tint. Very happy with the design, fit and quality of finish. Have not been out yet, the weather is cr*p at the moment so will change the oil and lube the chain. Using Motul 5100 10W 50 and Castrol chain oil.
I ordered one of these from touratech they adjust in and out up and down plain or tinted, used the other day nice protection, I get a front view tomorrow
I had the same screen on my Strada for a couple of weeks, too much buffeting for me when wearing one helmet, reasonable on another, I'm 6 foot (1.83m). Went with factory screen.
Thanks for the feedback, FreddoFrog. I've got a tall carbon 'screen' that one of the members here made -- it looks fantastic on the bike, but my head is in exactly the wrong spot and the wind is beating me to death. I'm wondering if the SFB product might do better, but your review is making me wonder. So two things, I guess: Depending on the color you got, FreddoFrog, I'd probably be interested in buying yours from you. And I'd be interested in feedback from the other folks who mentioned that they've installed the screens but haven't posted riding feedback yet. Thanks to all -- if I find a solution, my fine looking carbon unit will be up for sale, I reckon.
