Windshield angle change
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
I had horrible buffetting with my FXDL's compact QD........ That and my mirrors shook so much I couldn't see out of them at any speed over 50. I'm also short. I tried moving that damned mirror up, down, forward, backwards..... and the only way I was at peace was looking through the windshield. I had a windshield bag too.
This year, I got the Standard "Touring" model Quick Detach windshield. It's wider and a bit higher. The first ride was amazing. No more buffetting........NONE....and my mirrors dont shake anymore. I have it set so I can see over the top of it. I dont know exactly What about the windshield made the difference......but it did.
It's so nice not to have your head jerking around feeling beat up and having a headache at the end of a ride. I've had it up to speeds of 85 and in wind gusts of 30mph.
But you're right. It would be nice to have them do more testing on their windshields.......and make a seat for the Dyna that you sit IN rather than ON.... and where your legs dont go numb or have butt burn & squirm at around 90 miles.
This year, I got the Standard "Touring" model Quick Detach windshield. It's wider and a bit higher. The first ride was amazing. No more buffetting........NONE....and my mirrors dont shake anymore. I have it set so I can see over the top of it. I dont know exactly What about the windshield made the difference......but it did.
It's so nice not to have your head jerking around feeling beat up and having a headache at the end of a ride. I've had it up to speeds of 85 and in wind gusts of 30mph.
But you're right. It would be nice to have them do more testing on their windshields.......and make a seat for the Dyna that you sit IN rather than ON.... and where your legs dont go numb or have butt burn & squirm at around 90 miles.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Western New York
Jaron, yes I did. I moved it in several increments but not much, if any, relief. I think I do better with the shield tilted back as far as the factory setup will allow. Tilting it forward moved the quiet air above my helmet almost 12". I lowerd the shield so that I can just feel the wind over the top of the helmet and that gives me the least wind buffeting on the chin. Where I once saw 3 stops signs at 65mph I now only see 2 and that's progress on a Harley 
So you see a herd of deer on the side of the roadl. Is it really a herd or just one? LOL
So you see a herd of deer on the side of the roadl. Is it really a herd or just one? LOL
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: New Britain, CT
The blurred vision is caused by the break point between the high and low pressure areas. You want that break point above your head OR below your chin. Ever see smoke swirls in a pic of a wind tunnel test? That's all turbulence - the same thing that bops your head around or blurs your vision. If that turbulence is hitting the top 25% of your head, its going bop your head around. If it hits your glasses or your face shield, you get the blurries. Your neck is an easy pass because the turbulence has no leverage to move your head around. Any lower and it hits your chest. Anyway, tilting the top of the windshield back aims the turbulence at your neck vs the top of your head or eyes. Set up your shield and take the bike for a ride and feel the wind around the back of your shield with your hand - you'll be able to tell where the low pressure area is (which I like on my chest), and you'll feel the violent turbulence above that in a 6 inch-ish range, then above that it's like the shield isn't there. If you have a large shield, you probably want your head in the low pressure area, and if you have a small one, you probably want just your chest in the low pressure (think Wind Vest - it's called vest for a reason).
Just remember, setting up a shield for the first time is a PITA. It will take several trips or stops to get it right, but it helps to know what to aim for.
Just remember, setting up a shield for the first time is a PITA. It will take several trips or stops to get it right, but it helps to know what to aim for.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
Jaron, yes I did. I moved it in several increments but not much, if any, relief. I think I do better with the shield tilted back as far as the factory setup will allow. Tilting it forward moved the quiet air above my helmet almost 12". I lowerd the shield so that I can just feel the wind over the top of the helmet and that gives me the least wind buffeting on the chin. Where I once saw 3 stops signs at 65mph I now only see 2 and that's progress on a Harley So you see a herd of deer on the side of the roadl. Is it really a herd or just one? LOL
So you see a herd of deer on the side of the roadl. Is it really a herd or just one? LOL
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Oswego, IL
Hey guys! I didn't even know you were posting in the thread I started.
JaronB:
I never saw the adjustment you made for your windshield until after I tried mine. I am curious to put mine back the way it was and then push the windshield away from me as you did and see what happens. I never thought to try that.
YourOldDog:
What helmet are you wearing AND if it is a full face do you have the visor open at all? I found out my helmet was part of the problem for me. I wear a full face HJC and was in the habit of having the visor open about 3/4 of an inch to get some air flow. The visor being opened even that little bit was catching wind and bobbling my head when using my windshield. I now push the visor fully closed when I'm going over 45 mph and the head wobbling stops.
Thanks for the input guys, to the poster who is making an aluminum bracket with holes, that was my original idea but I don't have a drill press and wasn't sure I could find a proper piece of flat aluminum stock. Essentially this change was to make a quick detach windshield more like a windvest since its lower and angled differently than stock.
Kanzig
JaronB:
I never saw the adjustment you made for your windshield until after I tried mine. I am curious to put mine back the way it was and then push the windshield away from me as you did and see what happens. I never thought to try that.
YourOldDog:
What helmet are you wearing AND if it is a full face do you have the visor open at all? I found out my helmet was part of the problem for me. I wear a full face HJC and was in the habit of having the visor open about 3/4 of an inch to get some air flow. The visor being opened even that little bit was catching wind and bobbling my head when using my windshield. I now push the visor fully closed when I'm going over 45 mph and the head wobbling stops.
Thanks for the input guys, to the poster who is making an aluminum bracket with holes, that was my original idea but I don't have a drill press and wasn't sure I could find a proper piece of flat aluminum stock. Essentially this change was to make a quick detach windshield more like a windvest since its lower and angled differently than stock.
Kanzig
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 25
From: Long Island NY
What I found with the bigger detachable windshield was it sat in front of the headlight. I used Mephis shade hardware(had to make bushings), retained the HD which brought the windshield back behind the headlight. Huge difference.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
I agree with you on the bigger shield. I didn't notice it at first because good old Harley quality assurance had my headlight pointing down only about 10ft in front of the bike. Found that out the first time I rode at night. Once I adjusted it to a usable headlight it did reflect right into the shield. I don't ride at night very much, but when I do if I have the shield on I just throw the high beam on and it goes away. Once winter rolls around and I put the shield back on I'll probably get a windshield bag and see if that helps. I got flashed once or twice riding with the highs, but at least they knew I was coming. No matter what I'm still going to get flashed because they do it with my lows also. That's what happens in the country where street lights don't exist. That's my guess anyways.
Stage III
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Upper East Tennesee
I tried the "forward tilt" today. It's a significant improvement. I still get some buffeting, but now it comes on at 75 instead of 55. Thanks.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Oswego, IL
I am bringing this thread back to life just for an update on changing the angle of these Quick Detach windshields. I found at the hardware store something that works better than the S-hook and is more rigid. It's called a mending plate, I picked them up from Ace Hardware in a package of 4. The holes needed to be widened with a 1/4 drill bit but once that was done, the concept was exactly the same. I'll post pics soon but here is a link to the mending plate:
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(e4...?sku=998082125
Like it shows, it's just a piece of flat steel that is about 2 inches long with a hole at each end. Use this in place of the S-hook above. This actually increases the angle even more than the S-hook did.
Kanzig
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(e4...?sku=998082125
Like it shows, it's just a piece of flat steel that is about 2 inches long with a hole at each end. Use this in place of the S-hook above. This actually increases the angle even more than the S-hook did.
Kanzig
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Central Maine
I found that pushing the windshield forward on the top stopped buffeting on my bike altogether. I bought the low profile smoked HD quick diconnect for my 08 Fat Bob and have had no problems even at speeds of 120 or better. I hate windshields but I am finding it harder and harder to ride without it , especially on all day cruises! I also get the sore neck thing.