Best Very Short Windshield?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 10
From: S.E. MO
Does anyone sell replacement shields for the HD, QD hardware? I can not ride with the standard height shield, the buffeting is intolerable. Way better off without it. But with cold weather here in New England I'm looking for options. I have done lots of testing and it seems that the lower it is set the better. Trouble is, it cant be set low enough. Any shorter, more pitched options? Failing that, what do you guys use to cut down the stock shield? I don't want to butcher it up!!! I may have to sell it! BTW 6 feet even, on an 07 SuperGlide. Thanks guys
I completly taped mine up to help protect it. Then used a jig saw to cut it and a small electric sander to smooth it out. Just go slow as you dont wont it to get hot when you are cutting it.
A glass company probally wouldnt charge much to cut it for you if you didnt want to do it yourself.
Harley sells replacement plastic for the shields.
Account Retired
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: U.S.A.
Used a jigsaw, going slow, with a very fine blade. Most of the time was getting a template made from stiff cardboard...getting it just right, then putting blue painters tape over the shield section to cut, and transfering a marker line onto the shield so I cut it right the first time. The cutting was super easy. Then use some fine sandpaper to smooth the edge (DO NOT get sandpaper on the front of rear of the shield obviously). Just the edge. Looks stock and great.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 194
Likes: 117
From: Eastern Ct.
Thanks for the cutting tips guys, I'm going to cut it down this weekend. Can't ride with it as it is. I have also been in touch with Long Ride Shields, they are currently developing and testing replacement shields that use existing HD hardware. Really looking forward to this!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Memphis Shades sells replacement shields. I think their website has a guide (it may be at JP Cycles as well), you just need to measure the hole spacings. I picked up a taller one in my attempt to deal with the buffeting (It didn't work) for my compact quick detachable shield.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Update
I finally got around to getting a new windshield. I went with the Fly Screen LS. I picked it up for just over hundred bucks. I have attached some photos since there are few threads or images about the Fly Screen LS. Remember, I am not trying to get total wind reduction, just relieve some chest pressure to make highway speeds less taxing on my arms.
The windshield is thick and looks very well built. The hardware is nice, except that the inside facing brackets are black, not chrome. That bothers me. I installed it with the windshields rack matching the forks angle. I think that looks best on my FXDL.
Riding: At highways speeds, the wind is blocked from my mouth/nose down to my waist and from inside my left shoulder to inside my right shoulder. I am 59. There is a nice vacuum of air behind the screen all the way to my chest. However I can still feel strong air pressure on both shoulders. Is the Fly screen LS effective on chest pressure? Yes. Is it like a bigger windshield? No. But make no mistake it is effective in blocking 75% of the air hitting your chest. I really wish the width was about 2 inches wider. That would match the forks width and look better, plus it would block more of the air hitting my shoulders.
I also installed it as high as possible on the forks in order to block more wind. That looks sort of weird. But I can live with it. If you change the angle to make the windshield more upright, the wind is blocked over my head. But I didnt like the look. Plus I wear a full face helmet, so no need. I like the lower angle matching the forks, so I left it there.
Pros:
The windshield is thick and looks very well built. The hardware is nice, except that the inside facing brackets are black, not chrome. That bothers me. I installed it with the windshields rack matching the forks angle. I think that looks best on my FXDL.
Riding: At highways speeds, the wind is blocked from my mouth/nose down to my waist and from inside my left shoulder to inside my right shoulder. I am 59. There is a nice vacuum of air behind the screen all the way to my chest. However I can still feel strong air pressure on both shoulders. Is the Fly screen LS effective on chest pressure? Yes. Is it like a bigger windshield? No. But make no mistake it is effective in blocking 75% of the air hitting your chest. I really wish the width was about 2 inches wider. That would match the forks width and look better, plus it would block more of the air hitting my shoulders.
I also installed it as high as possible on the forks in order to block more wind. That looks sort of weird. But I can live with it. If you change the angle to make the windshield more upright, the wind is blocked over my head. But I didnt like the look. Plus I wear a full face helmet, so no need. I like the lower angle matching the forks, so I left it there.
Pros:
- Small size, thus, barely noticeable on the bike.
- Installed easily on my 2008 FXDL.
- Effective in chest wind reduction (my primary goal).
- Low cost.
- Non-handlebar mounting.
- No buffetting at all. Zero.
- Hardware has non chrome pieces that face the inside. Come on. An extra buck would have chromed all the pieces.
- Width is too small. It should match the width of the forks to improve effectiveness and looks.
- Non-Harley OEM.
- Wish it was slightly taller so I could lower it closer to my headlight and still get some air coverage above the handlebars.
- Shoulders still get hit with wind blasts.
Last edited by thegov3; Apr 17, 2010 at 09:42 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson, TX
Wind Vest all the way. Had the HD quick detach. They make those quick detach for a reason. So you can get it off your bike as fast as possible after that first ride when your head shakes so bad your eyeballs can't keep up.
If there is something better than a Windvest I would like to se it. Got the standard clear and it all but disappears on the bike. Very effective. I have seen bugs being deflected by the wind being pushed up over the rider many times before.
If there is something better than a Windvest I would like to se it. Got the standard clear and it all but disappears on the bike. Very effective. I have seen bugs being deflected by the wind being pushed up over the rider many times before.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 194
Likes: 117
From: Eastern Ct.
One of my winter projects was to install a 7" headlight and then re-fit the HD standard QD shield. I like the look of the bigger light and have to deal with the buffeting from the shield or it is useless. Light mounted up, no problem. Then I rough cut the head light opening and scribed the lights circumference onto painters tape.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30362847@N06/4505841037/" title="Bike Tag 008 by HeyDoc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4505841037_f0ca622459.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bike Tag 008" /></a>
I then re-cut the shield with a fine jig saw blade and refit it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30362847@N06/4505841041/" title="Bike Tag 010 by HeyDoc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4505841041_bc29707cdf.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Bike Tag 010" /></a>
The shield now fits below and behind the light. Great look but still some head buffeting. I trimmed 1.5" off the top edge and polished all my cuts. Getting better but still buffeting above 60mph. I am going to take more off the top, maybe 1 inch at a time and continue testing. Overall "lowering" the shield is working as far as reducing buffeting.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30362847@N06/4505841037/" title="Bike Tag 008 by HeyDoc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4505841037_f0ca622459.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bike Tag 008" /></a>
I then re-cut the shield with a fine jig saw blade and refit it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30362847@N06/4505841041/" title="Bike Tag 010 by HeyDoc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4505841041_bc29707cdf.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Bike Tag 010" /></a>
The shield now fits below and behind the light. Great look but still some head buffeting. I trimmed 1.5" off the top edge and polished all my cuts. Getting better but still buffeting above 60mph. I am going to take more off the top, maybe 1 inch at a time and continue testing. Overall "lowering" the shield is working as far as reducing buffeting.
Last edited by HeyDoc; Apr 18, 2010 at 07:23 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
Will try to post pics later - off riding now!
Last edited by Taddeoeg; Apr 18, 2010 at 03:09 PM. Reason: added pics
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 63
From: Eastern Washington State
Buying a windshield seems to be a real crap shoot. I have a Harley QD (I think it's standard) that I had put on the bike the day I bought it. I'm very comfortable behind it and get no head buffeting at all. If the wind is blowing in the right direction I may get a small bit of buffet but as soon as the wind dies or the road changes direction it's gone. I'd like to try one of the wind vest style for the looks but I'm not sure it would be comfortable to ride with.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 406
Likes: 13
From: Langley, BC. Canada
I finally got around to getting a new windshield. I went with the Fly Screen LS. I picked it up for just over hundred bucks. I have attached some photos since there are few threads or images about the Fly Screen LS. Remember, I am not trying to get total wind reduction, just relieve some chest pressure to make highway speeds less taxing on my arms.
The windshield is thick and looks very well built. The hardware is nice, except that the inside facing brackets are black, not chrome. That bothers me. I installed it with the windshields rack matching the forks angle. I think that looks best on my FXDL.
Riding: At highways speeds, the wind is blocked from my mouth/nose down to my waist and from inside my left shoulder to inside my right shoulder. I am 59. There is a nice vacuum of air behind the screen all the way to my chest. However I can still feel strong air pressure on both shoulders. Is the Fly screen LS effective on chest pressure? Yes. Is it like a bigger windshield? No. But make no mistake it is effective in blocking 75% of the air hitting your chest. I really wish the width was about 2 inches wider. That would match the forks width and look better, plus it would block more of the air hitting my shoulders.
I also installed it as high as possible on the forks in order to block more wind. That looks sort of weird. But I can live with it. If you change the angle to make the windshield more upright, the wind is blocked over my head. But I didnt like the look. Plus I wear a full face helmet, so no need. I like the lower angle matching the forks, so I left it there.
Pros:
The windshield is thick and looks very well built. The hardware is nice, except that the inside facing brackets are black, not chrome. That bothers me. I installed it with the windshields rack matching the forks angle. I think that looks best on my FXDL.
Riding: At highways speeds, the wind is blocked from my mouth/nose down to my waist and from inside my left shoulder to inside my right shoulder. I am 59. There is a nice vacuum of air behind the screen all the way to my chest. However I can still feel strong air pressure on both shoulders. Is the Fly screen LS effective on chest pressure? Yes. Is it like a bigger windshield? No. But make no mistake it is effective in blocking 75% of the air hitting your chest. I really wish the width was about 2 inches wider. That would match the forks width and look better, plus it would block more of the air hitting my shoulders.
I also installed it as high as possible on the forks in order to block more wind. That looks sort of weird. But I can live with it. If you change the angle to make the windshield more upright, the wind is blocked over my head. But I didnt like the look. Plus I wear a full face helmet, so no need. I like the lower angle matching the forks, so I left it there.
Pros:
- Small size, thus, barely noticeable on the bike.
- Installed easily on my 2008 FXDL.
- Effective in chest wind reduction (my primary goal).
- Low cost.
- Non-handlebar mounting.
- No buffetting at all. Zero.
- Hardware has non chrome pieces that face the inside. Come on. An extra buck would have chromed all the pieces.
- Width is too small. It should match the width of the forks to improve effectiveness and looks.
- Non-Harley OEM.
- Wish it was slightly taller so I could lower it closer to my headlight and still get some air coverage above the handlebars.
- Shoulders still get hit with wind blasts.
I just completed a 4600 mile trip and there is no way I could have done it without the Flyscreen unless I stayed under 60mph - which isn't going to happen. We cruised at speeds up to 90+ with no pull on the hands.
The only difference between the Gov's screen and mine is that I mounted mine as close to the headlight as I could get it and just behind the ring at the top front. It is also angled just back from vertical. A bit of trial and error was required to get the screen at its best position. It is smoked and looks pretty nice on the bike. That is, if you even notice it.
My son has a Yamaha Warrior (very Harley looking bike). He had the same problem and did the same thing with the same result.
So, if all you are looking for is wind off your chest, this is the cleanest and less obtrusive way to accomplish it.
If you are looking for weather protection, then this is not the solution. If you aren't wearing a FF helmet, then I can't comment on how this would affect you.
Best wishes on your personal solutions.