Making a windshield.

[trbig]

Since my windshield got broken and I can't get an OEM due to the fairing's age and make, it appears I will need to make one. I've heard Lexan, but hear that it yellows with time. Is there something wrong with regular plexiglass? Anything else I should be looking at? Anything other than a jigsaw to cut it to shape? Do you need to heat it or anything to get it bent to conform to the fairing?

Inquiring mind(s) want to know..


Tod

[DGXSER]

Plexiglass certainly yellows with UV exposure. My dad was a carpenter and since I am one of five and four boys, we ended up with a number of plexiglass windows in our house growing up. It also scratches pretty easy.

[bikerphil]

Tod, try this guy at Gustafson plastics. He made me a replacement for my old Tracy faring. He can make just about any windscreen that was ever made. I tried making my own first, but gave up and let him do it.

http://www.bikescreen.com/

[DiverRay]

Tod,
What fairing do you have? ALL the Vetter fairing can be replaced from an online company. The Pacifico is MUCH harder to find, but as I have one here, I could use it for a pattern.
Lexan is the ONLY product you want for a shield! Plexiglass will shatter like glass, and do it almost as easily!

[trbig]

The fairing is a Shoei. I called Shoei once to ask them about a replacement windshield and was told that they didn't make fairings. I told him that it had Shoei on the turn signals as well as their badge on the front of it. He told me to hang on a minute and put me on hold. I then talked to an older guy that said, "Yeah, Shoei used to make fairings, but not in at LEAST 20 years, and we don't have any parts to fix one."

So... aftermarket may be the ticket. It can't be measured now as the pieces are in an Arkansas dump by now, but I think I contacted someone before in an old email with measurements trying to get it replaced before. Hopefully I can find that and give bikerphil's option a try.

Thanks for the heads up on Plexiglass.

Tod

[Montreux_Blue]

I think yours is a GF-2 model right?

[Montreux_Blue]

If it is I found the stock one for $124.95 and the extra 2" taller for $129.95. You have your choice of clear, light smoke, medium smoke, light blue, light green and red!

Stock size top of page - http://www.bikescreen.com/products.asp?cat=96&pg=61

+2" bottom of page - http://www.bikescreen.com/products.asp?cat=96&pg=60

[trbig]

This site rocks!

Thanks guys. But Jeremy... What?!? You didn't find me any turn signals yet? lol. Just kidding, I'll buy one to match what I have on the other side.

I guess I need to write these guys and ask what the height of the first one is. I found the email I was talking about. It was to Shoei. they told me that if I could get some dimensions for them they would see about getting one made for me. I sent them the measurements and never heard back from them! The original was 17" tall.

Now.. where did I leave that spare $130 laying....


Tod

[Montreux_Blue]

I know it's pricey but if you figure the original one lasted over 20 years, it's probably worth it.

[trbig]

It would have lasted longer except for that asphalt... or is it THIS azz fault?


Tod

[DGXSER]

Tod, Has not happened to me in 20 years, but it has happened to me. Like me, I bet it won't happen again to you!

[Montreux_Blue]

Tod, Has not happened to me in 20 years, but it has happened to me. Like me, I bet it won't happen again to you!

You haven't seen Tod on his bike yet have you?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tod,

I thought you were more of a do-it-yourself kind of guy?? Find a local auto/glass shop that sells LEXAN, you should be able to get a decent sized square or rectangle for under $50.00, probably much less.

Now, I'm one of those idiots that fixed my previous little windscreen with a piece of PLEXIGLASS! It cuts easily enough with a fine toothed jigsaw, get the kind that cuts on the up stroke. The sheet came with a nice scratch protecting layer of sticky paper, so I left that on it, used it to draw the template for it, was able to cut a nice ROUND hole for the headlight, along with some nice angles and such.

Then I pealed the paper off, did a test heating with the scraps I had from the cuttings, found that 200 degrees was just right, too hot and it bubbled badly!!! I had a nice curved barrel, layed a cloth over that, then laid the heated plexiglass sheet over that, made a nice curved shape.

I had a little trouble drilling the mounting holes, got a small crack, but used some large washers and it's held for many years now. I think LEXAN is easier to work with regarding drilling and such.

Being the frugal guy you are, and these economic times, I'd look into making one yourself, not as hard as you might think!
T.C.

Took me a few moments to find my old photos, they are from a 2003 post: My paint job and aux lights have changed!

[trbig]

I had a little trouble drilling the mounting holes, got a small crack

Yeah, that website has posted time and again about an acrylic drill bit and I was wondering what the difference was.

Most of the time I'm a do it yourself type guy out of necessity. Either I don't have the money or I can't talk someone else into doing it for me.. At the speeds I ride at sometimes, I figured I better get the right windshield. I had a buddy that had a windshield break and came back and hit him in the face. He was wearing a full faced helmet, but the visor was up. Caught him across the nose and about knocked him out.. doesn't remember "pulling the bike over to bleed for a while.." lol.

Plus.. if I screw up just one time, I'm right up there price-wise where I could have just gotten the right new one. I like the thought of making one though.. I just may have to wait until I slow down a bit.

[Ken Talbot]

Here's some info on drilling acrylic .