Fat Bob + Windshield = question
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
Fat Bob + Windshield = question
Has anyone tried the standard or low profile Harley quick detach windshields for their Fat Bob? I'm thinking of adding one for winter riding but based on my experience with these same windshields on my Low Rider, I'm concerned that I'm going to face significant buffeting. (I'm 5'6" and wear a full face.)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
That's what I'm afraid of. As much as I'd like to divert some of the windblast I get @ 65+ mph, I prefer clean air to buffeting.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
I have a low profile. Been experimenting with it in various heights on the fork.
With it mounted so the headlight cutout is just above the lights ..... when speed reaches about 70, the buffeting is obnoxious, particularly when riding in 6th gear. Apparently complimentary vibration is induced with the thumping pistons and the buffeting actually becomes intolerable as in vision bouncing.
So, I mounted the clamps down low, the lower ones below the triple clamp.
(will take some photos later) When mounted low, I am now in clean air up to about 80. A tiny, tolerable buffet above that speed to a tested 90 mph so far.
The fork up front has about 5.1" of travel so there is room for the clamps and no danger of contact from the top of shock housing...provided you don't go to low. The headlamp cutout does cover about the top third of the lights, but does not affect road illumination and reflected glare from the lights on the rear of the windshield is not a problem. At the low position, all the pressure on upper chest is still fully relieved, and the air pressure on head is minimal if anything much at all.
With it mounted so the headlight cutout is just above the lights ..... when speed reaches about 70, the buffeting is obnoxious, particularly when riding in 6th gear. Apparently complimentary vibration is induced with the thumping pistons and the buffeting actually becomes intolerable as in vision bouncing.
So, I mounted the clamps down low, the lower ones below the triple clamp.
(will take some photos later) When mounted low, I am now in clean air up to about 80. A tiny, tolerable buffet above that speed to a tested 90 mph so far.
The fork up front has about 5.1" of travel so there is room for the clamps and no danger of contact from the top of shock housing...provided you don't go to low. The headlamp cutout does cover about the top third of the lights, but does not affect road illumination and reflected glare from the lights on the rear of the windshield is not a problem. At the low position, all the pressure on upper chest is still fully relieved, and the air pressure on head is minimal if anything much at all.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
I have a low profile. Been experimenting with it in various heights on the fork.
With it mounted so the headlight cutout is just above the lights ..... when speed reaches about 70, the buffeting is obnoxious, particularly when riding in 6th gear. Apparently complimentary vibration is induced with the thumping pistons and the buffeting actually becomes intolerable as in vision bouncing.
With it mounted so the headlight cutout is just above the lights ..... when speed reaches about 70, the buffeting is obnoxious, particularly when riding in 6th gear. Apparently complimentary vibration is induced with the thumping pistons and the buffeting actually becomes intolerable as in vision bouncing.
So, I mounted the clamps down low, the lower ones below the triple clamp.
(will take some photos later) When mounted low, I am now in clean air up to about 80. A tiny, tolerable buffet above that speed to a tested 90 mph so far.
The fork up front has about 5.1" of travel so there is room for the clamps and no danger of contact from the top of shock housing...provided you don't go to low. The headlamp cutout does cover about the top third of the lights, but does not affect road illumination and reflected glare from the lights on the rear of the windshield is not a problem. At the low position, all the pressure on upper chest is still fully relieved, and the air pressure on head is minimal if anything much at all.
(will take some photos later) When mounted low, I am now in clean air up to about 80. A tiny, tolerable buffet above that speed to a tested 90 mph so far.
The fork up front has about 5.1" of travel so there is room for the clamps and no danger of contact from the top of shock housing...provided you don't go to low. The headlamp cutout does cover about the top third of the lights, but does not affect road illumination and reflected glare from the lights on the rear of the windshield is not a problem. At the low position, all the pressure on upper chest is still fully relieved, and the air pressure on head is minimal if anything much at all.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
Harley low profile windshield mounted very low on FXDF Fat Bob. No more obnoxious buffeting at highway speeds. Front forks have 5.1" travel, make sure to clear that below bottom quick release mounts. The windshield does not contact the headlight bezels whatsoever. Hey, it's a Rat Bike retro, thow cares if the 'shield is mounted a little goofy? WORKS !
*the marks on the fork tubes are from the various mounting heights tried and are easily wiped off, the quick mounts do not mar the fork tubes.
*the marks on the fork tubes are from the various mounting heights tried and are easily wiped off, the quick mounts do not mar the fork tubes.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Grand Forks, North Dakota
Morning. I have a standard quick detach on my 08 FXDF and it works great though to cut down a little on the wind buffeting I have raised it as high as it would go, which seems to help a little. Watch those little rubber gromets on the clamps, they tend to come out of their channels and get lost then the clamp will mark up the forks.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
Thanks for the replies - and a special thanks to you CL for taking time to post the pics. I have to be honest - having the shield that low over the lights looks a little awkward - but if it works, I wonder why HD hasn't designed an "ultra low profile" shield - it's not like we're the first ones to experience buffeting with these shields. Go figure.
