* HOW TO * under fifty bux *
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
Try gluing two or three together with a little super glue and use the little styrofoam insert from the cd stack behind them for shock absorption!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Montana
$25 Windshield for Mini Apes
I figured I better post this in the under $50 section. Being the cheap ba$tard that I am and not liking the looks of a big cumbersome windshield I decided to make my own.
I first made a template out of cardboard (construction paper or some other thick paper may be better. I actually made the template about 1/2 smaller on each side than the inside measurement of the mini ape handlebars. I then took the template to a local glass shop where they cut a piece out of Lexan polycarbonate to match. I purchased 4 - 1" insulated clamps and 4 - 1/4" allen head bolts and rubber washers at ace hardware. I measured and drilled 4 holes in the Lexan that will line up with the holes in the clamps.
Bolt it together and you have a small but somewhat effective windshield. To make it more effective I bent a lip in the top of the shield to kick the air and bugs up away from the rider. To bend the lip I stuck it between two blocks of wood and tightened it in a vise. Then I carefully heated it with a small propane torch so it wouldn't cause it to bubble (don't hold the torch to close or in one spot for any length of time). Once heated i just bent it to where I wanted.
See the pictures for more details. It should cost you about $25 for materials. You might also be able to get Grey tinted lexan if you prefer the tint.
I first made a template out of cardboard (construction paper or some other thick paper may be better. I actually made the template about 1/2 smaller on each side than the inside measurement of the mini ape handlebars. I then took the template to a local glass shop where they cut a piece out of Lexan polycarbonate to match. I purchased 4 - 1" insulated clamps and 4 - 1/4" allen head bolts and rubber washers at ace hardware. I measured and drilled 4 holes in the Lexan that will line up with the holes in the clamps.
Bolt it together and you have a small but somewhat effective windshield. To make it more effective I bent a lip in the top of the shield to kick the air and bugs up away from the rider. To bend the lip I stuck it between two blocks of wood and tightened it in a vise. Then I carefully heated it with a small propane torch so it wouldn't cause it to bubble (don't hold the torch to close or in one spot for any length of time). Once heated i just bent it to where I wanted.
See the pictures for more details. It should cost you about $25 for materials. You might also be able to get Grey tinted lexan if you prefer the tint.
Last edited by soldierbot; Apr 2, 2021 at 07:46 AM.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,223
From: the 50s & the 60s
I figured I better post this in the under $50 section. Being the cheap ba$tard that I am and not liking the looks of a big cumbersome windshield I decided to make my own.
I first made a template out of cardboard (construction paper or some other thick paper may be better. I actually made the template about 1/2 smaller on each side than the inside measurement of the mini ape handlebars. I then took the template to a local glass shop where they cut a piece out of Lexan polycarbonate to match. I purchased 4 - 1" insulated clamps and 4 - 1/4" allen head bolts and rubber washers at ace hardware. I measured and drilled 4 holes in the Lexan that will line up with the holes in the clamps.
Bolt it together and you have a small but somewhat effective windshield. To make it more effective I bent a lip in the top of the shield to kick the air and bugs up away from the rider. To bend the lip I stuck it between two blocks of wood and tightened it in a vise. Then I carefully heated it with a small propane torch so it wouldn't cause it to bubble (don't hold the torch to close or in one spot for any length of time). Once heated i just bent it to where I wanted.
See the pictures for more details. It should cost you about $25 for materials. You might also be able to get Grey tinted lexan if you prefer the tint.
I first made a template out of cardboard (construction paper or some other thick paper may be better. I actually made the template about 1/2 smaller on each side than the inside measurement of the mini ape handlebars. I then took the template to a local glass shop where they cut a piece out of Lexan polycarbonate to match. I purchased 4 - 1" insulated clamps and 4 - 1/4" allen head bolts and rubber washers at ace hardware. I measured and drilled 4 holes in the Lexan that will line up with the holes in the clamps.
Bolt it together and you have a small but somewhat effective windshield. To make it more effective I bent a lip in the top of the shield to kick the air and bugs up away from the rider. To bend the lip I stuck it between two blocks of wood and tightened it in a vise. Then I carefully heated it with a small propane torch so it wouldn't cause it to bubble (don't hold the torch to close or in one spot for any length of time). Once heated i just bent it to where I wanted.
See the pictures for more details. It should cost you about $25 for materials. You might also be able to get Grey tinted lexan if you prefer the tint.
Nice job Ken. Quick and easy on and off.
An alternative to the clamps, Jagg the oil cooler folks
offer some real nice pieces.
I used them on my Oil Cooler mount, and they are high quality for low bux.
(red arrows below are the clamps on my set up)
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Montana
The one thing I will say about the clamps i am using is i could put a spacer between the clamp and shield either on top or bottom if I wanted to adjust the rake a little. Otherwise I think I like the looks of the Jagg clamps better.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 1
From: South Bay, CA
These are the chrome highway peg clamps from hd. Maybe they could work.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/dwp/g...bmLocale=en_US
http://www.harley-davidson.com/dwp/g...bmLocale=en_US
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 5
From: long island.ny
These are the chrome highway peg clamps from hd. Maybe they could work.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/dwp/g...bmLocale=en_US
http://www.harley-davidson.com/dwp/g...bmLocale=en_US
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Montana
These are the chrome highway peg clamps from hd. Maybe they could work.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/dwp/g...bmLocale=en_US
http://www.harley-davidson.com/dwp/g...bmLocale=en_US
Those look like they would work quite well too! Thanks for the link. I may try to get a set of those and a set of the Jagg ones to see how well they work. Originally I planned to use 3 clamps. 2 on the side and one on the bottom. I think with either of these clamp setups I may do that. I just need to make a extension to go from the bottom of the windshield to the clamp.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
I figured I better post this in the under $50 section. Being the cheap ba$tard that I am and not liking the looks of a big cumbersome windshield I decided to make my own.
I first made a template out of cardboard (construction paper or some other thick paper may be better. I actually made the template about 1/2 smaller on each side than the inside measurement of the mini ape handlebars. I then took the template to a local glass shop where they cut a piece out of Lexan polycarbonate to match. I purchased 4 - 1" insulated clamps and 4 - 1/4" allen head bolts and rubber washers at ace hardware. I measured and drilled 4 holes in the Lexan that will line up with the holes in the clamps.
Bolt it together and you have a small but somewhat effective windshield. To make it more effective I bent a lip in the top of the shield to kick the air and bugs up away from the rider. To bend the lip I stuck it between two blocks of wood and tightened it in a vise. Then I carefully heated it with a small propane torch so it wouldn't cause it to bubble (don't hold the torch to close or in one spot for any length of time). Once heated i just bent it to where I wanted.
See the pictures for more details. It should cost you about $25 for materials. You might also be able to get Grey tinted lexan if you prefer the tint.
I first made a template out of cardboard (construction paper or some other thick paper may be better. I actually made the template about 1/2 smaller on each side than the inside measurement of the mini ape handlebars. I then took the template to a local glass shop where they cut a piece out of Lexan polycarbonate to match. I purchased 4 - 1" insulated clamps and 4 - 1/4" allen head bolts and rubber washers at ace hardware. I measured and drilled 4 holes in the Lexan that will line up with the holes in the clamps.
Bolt it together and you have a small but somewhat effective windshield. To make it more effective I bent a lip in the top of the shield to kick the air and bugs up away from the rider. To bend the lip I stuck it between two blocks of wood and tightened it in a vise. Then I carefully heated it with a small propane torch so it wouldn't cause it to bubble (don't hold the torch to close or in one spot for any length of time). Once heated i just bent it to where I wanted.
See the pictures for more details. It should cost you about $25 for materials. You might also be able to get Grey tinted lexan if you prefer the tint.
That will definitely keep the wind from pounding you in the chest on long rides. I'm sure you could dress it up any way you'd like.
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Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,223
From: the 50s & the 60s
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I started this thread Dec 4 2007.......... 513 daze..........
Averaging 390 views per day.......... 200,160 views
Many many cheapskate build your own How Tos
Great job fellas..... let's keep it up.
Quoting from posting #1 - -
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there is another thread for the *I bought this cheap stuff for mine* postings.
it is located here. let's get it going too.........
I started this thread Dec 4 2007.......... 513 daze..........
Averaging 390 views per day.......... 200,160 views
Many many cheapskate build your own How Tos
Great job fellas..... let's keep it up.
Quoting from posting #1 - -
Gonna start a topic here for cheap simple how-tos,
not for catalog bought items, do it yourself.
not for catalog bought items, do it yourself.
.
.
there is another thread for the *I bought this cheap stuff for mine* postings.
it is located here. let's get it going too.........
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 1
From: South Bay, CA
cooling load equalizers
In the past I have read that some people have had trouble with their load equalizers over heating and burning up. Well here is a simple way to help dissipate some of the heat. I happened to have some heat sinks from some parts we made at work. (You can find smaller heat sinks and the thermal tape at most computer electronic stores) What I'm going to do is cut piece out so it is close to the same size as the load equalizer. Use the thermal tape and stick it on. I'm at work now, so I'll get some more pics up later.
Last edited by soldierbot; Apr 2, 2021 at 07:46 AM.