2018+ Softail Models Breakout

Windshield question

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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 07:37 AM
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Default Windshield question

I'm looking to replace the OEM windshield on my 2021 Heritage. I'm 5'7" and seem to get hit in all directions from a lot of wind. Does anyone have an opinion on the DROP-TOP MEMPHIS FATS FOR FOR FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CLASSIC. I've also contacted the company to ensure it would fit/mount on a 2021 Heritage, but have yet to receive a response.

 

Last edited by aviscomi; Jun 2, 2022 at 07:38 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 07:45 AM
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Never used a Memphis Shades brand on my Road King, opting for a LRS “Recurve”. I’m 6’-1”. My pillion never complained about buffeting either. There are other areas that wing comes from that you may want to address as well, such as from the front of your tank.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 08:20 AM
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I'm also 5'7". Buffeting and wind issues behind a windscreen depends on your physical makeup and how you sit the bike. For example, if your femurs/legs (impacting where your knees are located in relation to the tank) or your torso are too short, it can impact your experience behind a windscreen. Windscreen solutions alone may not solve your problem. But, you can at least mitigate for the torso with different windscreen sizes/types/features etc. (mitigating turbulent air flow over the top). Much of the source for buffeting comes for below and up the sides of the tank. Just for S&Gs, try putting your hands out in front of your knees or cross your arms at your chest and see the difference. The only effective solution for that that I've seen are the fangs. For your Heritage the primary source would be JES Customs.

There is a downside to fangs. They increase your felt heat. This impact can be significant on hot summer days. Your calves, thighs (particularly on the right side) and crocth/seat will feel the impact.

If there is a concern about the fangs impact on engine temps, you can see my comments about some minor testing/comparisons I did here...

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-...l#post20640183

As noted in that post, cost/benefit tradeoffs... The ClearView shield I've installed has the recurve and vent. It's impact on buffeting/wind, while not perfect, is good enough that I'll ride without the fangs when it's hot out. In cooler temps... spring, fall, winter... I'll probably put the fangs back on. They do have a signficant impact on the felt wind (much more tranquil experience) and would be beneficial when trying to stay warm.

Helmets are also a big factor here. I'm not sure I could ride with my full face helmet, windscreen in place, and no fangs on my Heritage. My half helmet is doable.
 

Last edited by T^2; Jun 2, 2022 at 08:23 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by T^2
I'm also 5'7". Buffeting and wind issues behind a windscreen depends on your physical makeup and how you sit the bike. For example, if your femurs/legs (impacting where your knees are located in relation to the tank) or your torso are too short, it can impact your experience behind a windscreen. Windscreen solutions alone may not solve your problem. But, you can at least mitigate for the torso with different windscreen sizes/types/features etc. (mitigating turbulent air flow over the top). Much of the source for buffeting comes for below and up the sides of the tank. Just for S&Gs, try putting your hands out in front of your knees or cross your arms at your chest and see the difference. The only effective solution for that that I've seen are the fangs. For your Heritage the primary source would be JES Customs.

There is a downside to fangs. They increase your felt heat. This impact can be significant on hot summer days. Your calves, thighs (particularly on the right side) and crocth/seat will feel the impact.

If there is a concern about the fangs impact on engine temps, you can see my comments about some minor testing/comparisons I did here...

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-...l#post20640183

As noted in that post, cost/benefit tradeoffs... The ClearView shield I've installed has the recurve and vent. It's impact on buffeting/wind, while not perfect, is good enough that I'll ride without the fangs when it's hot out. In cooler temps... spring, fall, winter... I'll probably put the fangs back on. They do have a signficant impact on the felt wind (much more tranquil experience) and would be beneficial when trying to stay warm.

Helmets are also a big factor here. I'm not sure I could ride with my full face helmet, windscreen in place, and no fangs on my Heritage. My half helmet is doable.
Yes I ordered the Fangs yesterday
 
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 09:22 AM
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Well just got a call from Memphis Shades CS and was told that the windshield won't mount to my 2021 Heritage.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by aviscomi
Well just got a call from Memphis Shades CS and was told that the windshield won't mount to my 2021 Heritage.
You might look into ClearView shields. Do you like and want to maintain the blacked out lower of the stock shield? They can do that. You can get custom sizes/widths, recurve, and the vent. The vent does have an impact (but won't replace the fangs for the wind coming up around the tank) in reducing the negative pressure behind the shield and mitigating turbulence over the top. They can mount the vent above or below the horizontal shield bracket. It may be more asthetically appealing to mount it below, but if you want a windshield bag it will need to go above. One other tip... If you prefer the tombstone shape of your original shield, you have to tell them this is what you want. When you order taller shields they default to their original design, which has the shape of a female's finger nail (in my mind anyway).
 
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by T^2
You might look into ClearView shields. Do you like and want to maintain the blacked out lower of the stock shield? They can do that. You can get custom sizes/widths, recurve, and the vent. The vent does have an impact (but won't replace the fangs for the wind coming up around the tank) in reducing the negative pressure behind the shield and mitigating turbulence over the top. They can mount the vent above or below the horizontal shield bracket. It may be more asthetically appealing to mount it below, but if you want a windshield bag it will need to go above. One other tip... If you prefer the tombstone shape of your original shield, you have to tell them this is what you want. When you order taller shields they default to their original design, which has the shape of a female's finger nail (in my mind anyway).
Yes, I already looked at Clearview, but I prefer to get a complete windshield assembly (i.e. with brackets)
 
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 12:30 PM
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I needed a taller windshield for my '19 Heritage and wanted the color tint like Memphis shades offered. Unfortunately, they don't offer a replacement windshield "glass" to fit the '18 up Heritage as the screw spacing of the horizontal brace is different from previous years. I solved the issue by replacing the horizontal braces with the braces from a '01-'17 Heritage Softail windshield. That worked perfectly-see below.

Yes, I realize it's not a "whole windshield" and requires reusing your hardware (most of it), but it IS a solution and it works.
 

Last edited by Uncle G.; Jun 2, 2022 at 12:37 PM.
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 04:01 PM
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This is what I did to great effect. Essentially just laying the windshield back giving a much cleaner air flow as I use to get that barn door buffeting affect. I now get air that pushes just on the top of my helmet. Im 6'2"and use the HD 19"screen. I had some washes machined up to match the OEM ones and used the rubber grommet from HD




 
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Old Jun 17, 2022 | 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Uncle G.
I needed a taller windshield for my '19 Heritage and wanted the color tint like Memphis shades offered. Unfortunately, they don't offer a replacement windshield "glass" to fit the '18 up Heritage as the screw spacing of the horizontal brace is different from previous years. I solved the issue by replacing the horizontal braces with the braces from a '01-'17 Heritage Softail windshield. That worked perfectly-see below.

Yes, I realize it's not a "whole windshield" and requires reusing your hardware (most of it), but it IS a solution and it works.
Hi Uncle G !
Can you develop a little bit on what product you ordered on Memphis Shades website ?
Is that a "replacment plastic" ? And which height and headlight opening did you chose ?

Thx !
 
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