X-1 windscreen,,New to me XJ1100

[L.A.]

Hi Guys,
New here & 1st post,
I recently picked up a xj1100, (Use to own a xj750 years ago), and need some advise.
This has what I think is a X-1 yamaha fairing,,the PO either broke or cut the windscreen and then proceeded to paint the entire bike flat black,,

50+ mph is brutal to my head,,soooo,,Any idea where I can find a windscreen for this?
I'd remove it, but I also don't have a headlight or bucket yet.
This bike was originally red,,,I guess I can live with the paint for now, but really need to do something about the windscreen.

[IMG][/IMG]



Thanks,
L.A. In Wyoming

[tcoop]

Not sure where you can get an original screen but if you can't find one, get some 1/8 plexi glass and make your own. It is not to bad to work with just make sure you use sharp blades.

[crazy steve]

Welcome, and that's a pretty decent looking XJ; too bad the PO painted over everything....

You might look at cutting down a windshield to replace the screen, but that won't be all that cheap. Making one will the least expensive option, although I would use thicker than 1/8" as that may fold up at higher speeds.

[IanDMacDonald]

"Not bad looking" is an understatement. Quite possibly the nicest fairing I've seen yet on an XJ.

[bikerphil]

These guys will make any type wind screen for you, I had one made for an obsolete fairing before and it fit perfect. Give them a holler...

http://www.bikescreen.com/contact.html

[motoman]

"Not bad looking" is an understatement. Quite possibly the nicest fairing I've seen yet on an XJ.

That was actually part of the 'tour-pac' that was available thru 'yammy' accessories for the XJ 11. The luggage cases, IIRC were the same that were on the following year Venture 1200/1300 series.

[TopCatGr58]

Not sure where you can get an original screen but if you can't find one, get some 1/8 plexi glass and make your own. It is not to bad to work with just make sure you use sharp blades.

Sorry, but you do NOT want Plexi-Glas.....it's too fragile/brittle and cracks way too easy just trying to drill the mounting holes, not to mention will SHATTER when impacted with anything substantial...rock, bottle, etc.!

You want to get LEXAN instead, it's POLYCARBONATE plastic, same stuff that prescription safety eyeglasses as well as other prescription eyeglasses that are made for folks that need extra protection, ie. only 1 good eye, child, sports, etc.. LEXAN can be COLD bent/molded(difficultly), and can be more easily cut with a jigsaw, bandsaw, as well as drilled without the worry of cracking. And for that size, you can put it in an oven at ~290 degrees for 15 minutes and then drape it over a barrel (even the old shield) or such to create the BEND to match the OEM shape, just remove the protective films before heating it. You can find LEXAN in 1/4" or thinner thicknesses in scrap sizes on eBay for ~$20-30 , I got an 18" x 24"- 1/4" thick sheet for $25.00 with FREE SHIPPING!

T.C.

[jetmechmarty]

Watch Lexan and acrylic get abused here:
http://youtu.be/juGAndzfFkM

Pros and cons of each here:
http://youtu.be/2M-vPzHnGQU

[jetmechmarty]

I took on a rock with an acrylic windshield last October on the interstate. The rock was stopped and the screen went to pieces.

[L.A.]

These guys will make any type wind screen for you, I had one made for an obsolete fairing before and it fit perfect. Give them a holler...

http://www.bikescreen.com/contact.html

Thanks!! They do carry it,,,

I'm tempted to try the Lexan build idea,,just to see if I can do it...

[rdmcguy]

Colorado rally

LA
,Welcome to the site,
The people here are Extremely knowledgable as you will find out.
As you are new here you might not be aware of the Colorado rally taking place in mid July in the Colorado springs area .Cheyenne isn't too far away ,The more the merrier!
Joe

[tcoop]

Sorry, but you do NOT want Plexi-Glas.....it's too fragile/brittle and cracks way too easy just trying to drill the mounting holes, not to mention will SHATTER when impacted with anything substantial...rock, bottle, etc.!

You want to get LEXAN instead, it's POLYCARBONATE plastic, same stuff that prescription safety eyeglasses as well as other prescription eyeglasses that are made for folks that need extra protection, ie. only 1 good eye, child, sports, etc.. LEXAN can be COLD bent/molded(difficultly), and can be more easily cut with a jigsaw, bandsaw, as well as drilled without the worry of cracking. And for that size, you can put it in an oven at ~290 degrees for 15 minutes and then drape it over a barrel (even the old shield) or such to create the BEND to match the OEM shape, just remove the protective films before heating it. You can find LEXAN in 1/4" or thinner thicknesses in scrap sizes on eBay for ~$20-30 , I got an 18" x 24"- 1/4" thick sheet for $25.00 with FREE SHIPPING!

T.C.

Thanks for the info T.C. A friend of mine just made a wind shield out of plexi-glass (his idea) so that's why I mentioned it.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tcoop,

That's okay, back in 2001 I did the same thing when I inadvertanty dropped my bike on the way to XS East Alexandria Bay, NY. The corner of the OEM had gotten broken off. I bought some Plex-Glas from the local auto glass store, and WAS able to cut out a nice round shape for the headlight, as well as angled sides using a UpCut fine toothed Jigsaw blade. Then I drilled the 4 mounting holes very slowly but still ended up with a bit of a crack when the drill bit broke thru. I then put it in the Oven at 250 degrees and was able to bend/mold it into a nice curved shape. The mounting brackets used large rubber/washer type fittings, and so it held for a several years. But this last year I had removed it...I don't usually ride with one except for the very cold seasons. Anyways, it just slipped and fell of the shelf and as it hit the ground it broke off the corner where a driled mount hole went thru it!

Plexi-Glas is harder and so doesn't scratch as easily, but as mentioned, it's brittle, and any substantial object hitting it will most likely cause it to fracture/shatter, whereas with the Polycarbonate Lexan it will just take the hit and bounce off. You just have to be a little more careful about cleaning and polishing it to prevent scratches.

T.C.

[CaptonZap]

http://plexiglasssheets.info/howto/images/Drilling.pdf

[TopCatGr58]

Hey CZ,

Thanks, BTW, I fixed the link, it was slightly messed up. However, it's the brittleness of the material for impacts that concerns me with regards to using it for a windshield. I've still got the piece of Plexi-Glas shield that's remaining from my recent break. I'll take it, position it securely and then will take modest hammer to it to see what happens. And I'll video tape it, and then I'll do the same to the piece of LEXAN that I have and what happens with it as well...should be interesting.

T.C.

PS, nevermind, I just checked, someone had already done it, see this 3 minute video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsls5ZPCUnE
Acrylic=Plexiglass vs. Polycarbonate=Lexan!