Windshield?

[Next]

Brilliant! I didn't realize I could flip it. Will definitely do that next time around. The first time it smacked in the face it surprised the heck out of me. Thanks for the advice!

 

[kiwiape]

After my 1st ride over 100-120km/h (60-75mph) and planning to join mates on longer trips, I knew I needed a screen. Being out here in Africa doesn't help even when ordering cheapish ebay items, due to postage and import duties.
So yesterday, I made my own. After deciding on design and approximate height, I made a template from paper and lots of measuring, cut out the template from a sheet of perspex and the started playing with the heat gun.
Fastened it with 10mm longer s/steel screws, due to having rubber washers on both sides.
Had to do some iterations between bending & fitting. Multiple free-hand bending meant the near-symmetrical design ended up having to be modded slightly, but I'm OK with the end result.
The overall shape mimics the black & white stock parts. Sides are abt 50mm wider each side and the top is same width as the black cover. From top of the headlight to top of screen is abt 280mm. Cost was about US$25.

Here's the result - it also acts as a headlight cover
I still need to add a little clear rubber bung at the bottom tip, so the end would have a brace against the headlight in case a stone strikes.
View attachment 56840
View attachment 56842

Added a slight 'flip lip in the middle as a finishing touch:
View attachment 56841

I've done a quick test at up to 120km/h (abt 75mph) and it feels strong enough using the standard mount points, probably partly due to the bends along the length. You can't really see it in the pics, but it has a slight ridge up the middle, then the 'flat' part where the screws go, then the more obvious bend where the black cover ends and the white back cover bends away.

I may need something still a bit bigger for the open road - I'm 1.86m / 6'1 and will likely have a custom "tall" seat done. So I'll do v.02 on the weekend.
Happy to share design drawing with measurements if anyone is interested.

I really like that shape but what is the buffeting and noise like and where does the airflow break away line hit you, chest, neck helmet..? I tried screens about that height before and found they buffet and are real noisy. Having said all that I would like to see you drawings and try it if you don't mind thanks. Cheers

 

[vodka]

Nice job...ah necessity as the mother of invention.
If turbulence is a problem over lip try a small length of moulding as per car trim etc..Had that issue on a home made screen for my BMW R1200R

 

[Eric-the-Strada]

I took a KLR windsheild and trimmed the bottom ears off to match the profile of the TR's headlight. Had to drill new mounting holes, but it looks factory and was just a few bucks.

 

[Clete]

What year on the KLR shield? Seems like I've asked that before....haha

 

[Eric-the-Strada]

Step 1) Procure 2008+ KLR stock windshield (~$25).


Step 2) Remove unnecessary parts with bandsaw. Sand edges smooth. Use upper cowl to mark mounting holes and drill.


Step 3) Install new Strada windshield.

Step 4)

 

[motozen]

I did a hand-made template and give the shape to a piece of metacrylate PMMA, put a rear adhesive black adhesive, fix with the same screews and it really works.
When i use the bike with knobbies and bad roads, i take it of and i use the original one!
This image, road from Celendin to Balsas, north-eastern Peru. With this 2 guys (they where driving a Toyota Prado) we did a 45 km detour on secondary roads and paths to get to this place, rather than waiting 2 days until the road was reopened

 

[kiwiape]

A slightly different approach to the screen, bought about by a desire to acheive zero chest blast and noise...... a lot of trial and error.... with three goals and a target speed of 100kph;
1. Reduce chest blast over and above no screen
2. No increased noise over and above no screen
3. No buffer or vibe over and above no screen

I have achieved;
1. At 80kph I have very little chest blast and at 100kph it is significantly reduce compared to no screen
2. Very slight increase in noise above no screen
3. Very very slight buffer above no screen

The vee cutout in the middle gives my helmet clean air (low noise and buffer) while the higher sides keeps the blast off shoulders and reduces chest blast.

In my trials I tried higher, wider, narrower, with cheat holes, without cheat holes, rounded edges and top, deflection wings on top and nothing worked.

But standing it up closer to the vertical and pushing it forward required less height to be effective, but buffer and noise was not accepteable, so I started to lower the top edge then chest blast starts to increase....everything is a compromise.

 

[kiwiape]

some more pics

 

[westcoaster]

Interesting... I'd never have thought to have a vee...
How is the reflection of the headlight on the inside of the screen?

 

[Newfoundlander]

Is there a windshield for taller riders (6'4") that doesnt buffet the helmet?

 

[talmadge]

madstad.com

 

[Ogre_fl]

Being tall (6'-6") I have learned in general there are no screens on any bike that are tall enough to be free of buffeting.
What does work is a screen just tall enough to take the wind load off the chest, but short enough to keep my helmet in clear/smooth air.

 

[kiwiape]

Being tall (6'-6") I have learned in general there are no screens on any bike that are tall enough to be free of buffeting.
What does work is a screen just tall enough to take the wind load off the chest, but short enough to keep my helmet in clear/smooth air.

I am 6'3" and being taller you have less chance of buffet....remember I lowered the screen to make it better, but I tried a screen that was in line with my nose and it was the WORST for buffet.

 

[kiwiape]

Interesting... I'd never have thought to have a vee...
How is the reflection of the headlight on the inside of the screen?

reflection is no big deal, the whole screen gets a slight blue edge to it (kind of cool) from the LED headlight

 

[Ziggy]

Does the Screens for Bikes unit replace the black panel above the headlight or go over the top of it? Just got one in.

As an aside, on my 1190 Adv I learned by chance that changing the bark busters could reduce buffeting more than a screen change.

 

[Ogre_fl]

I am 6'3" and being taller you have less chance of buffet....remember I lowered the screen to make it better, but I tried a screen that was in line with my nose and it was the WORST for buffet.

For me, any screen that is near my sight line is awful.
Best ones tend to be no higher than chest level.

 

[Ziggy]

Does the Screens for Bikes unit replace the black panel above the headlight or go over the top of it? Just got one in.

Oh well, seems to fit either way.

Impressions:

It does push the air a bit out sideways and more upwards. There it hits the visor. So there's more shielding but more noise and an added weave at speed. I'm half sold on it. Maybe leave it off for summers. (Height: 5' 9"; helmet Shoei GT Air; BarkBusters Storm on the bars).

 

[nev..]

A slightly different approach to the screen, bought about by a desire to acheive zero chest blast and noise...... a lot of trial and error.... with three goals and a target speed of 100kph;
1. Reduce chest blast over and above no screen
2. No increased noise over and above no screen
3. No buffer or vibe over and above no screen
View attachment 71965View attachment 71966View attachment 71967

Interesting design, but I have seen a similarly shaped screen on a GS650Dakar I borrowed in NZ a few years ago which had been customised by it's owner to suit his personal preferences. The only suggestion I would make is to put some rubber moulding around at least the top edges of the screen or something to dull any impact. I went over the handlebars of a bike i owned which had a screen with no edge protection like yours and it cut through my jeans and straight through my knee.

 

[kiwiape]

The only suggestion I would make is to put some rubber moulding around at least the top edges of the screen or something to dull any impact.

Point taken, but difficult to do and no other screen I've seen has it, however, the edge has been radiused and flamed.