Bought Windshield of Ebay
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
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Bought Windshield of Ebay
Please don't give me crap about buying a windshield.... I got one cause I'm tired of getting beat up on the highway...
Anyway in my infinite wisdom - trying to be cheap and save money - I bought a used HDdetachable off ebay. When it arrived, I noticed it had been cut down and the coating was flaking off. The hardware on the other hand is in great shape. I settled the matter with the seller and kept the windshield for a reasonable price. What I want to do now is replace the lexan. HD wants $ 140 for a replacement windshield, so I called our local glass shops here hoping to find someone that could cut me a new one. To my surprise no one does it. One shop said they could do it for 100 bucks, but they said the edges would not be smooth. Apparently the professional windshield manufacturers fire polish the edges, which creates a smooth edge- and this local shop said they didn't have the tools/process to do it.
So, I'm looking for alternatives. What say ya'll??
Anyway in my infinite wisdom - trying to be cheap and save money - I bought a used HDdetachable off ebay. When it arrived, I noticed it had been cut down and the coating was flaking off. The hardware on the other hand is in great shape. I settled the matter with the seller and kept the windshield for a reasonable price. What I want to do now is replace the lexan. HD wants $ 140 for a replacement windshield, so I called our local glass shops here hoping to find someone that could cut me a new one. To my surprise no one does it. One shop said they could do it for 100 bucks, but they said the edges would not be smooth. Apparently the professional windshield manufacturers fire polish the edges, which creates a smooth edge- and this local shop said they didn't have the tools/process to do it.
So, I'm looking for alternatives. What say ya'll??
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Bought Windshield of Ebay
The flame polishing is done with an acetalyene/oxygen setup, and attaching a bottle of hydrogen to the mix. If you have, or have access to, the gas you can do it yourself.
Get the flame to where it looks orange in color. Play the flame over the edge and keep it moving. You can see the Lexan begin to flow and then move the torch onward. It takes very little practice to get to the point that you are successful.
Get the flame to where it looks orange in color. Play the flame over the edge and keep it moving. You can see the Lexan begin to flow and then move the torch onward. It takes very little practice to get to the point that you are successful.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
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RE: Bought Windshield of Ebay
Ah, someone that is experienced in fire polishing! Thanks for the method, but I've never done any welding before, but I know guys who have experience.I will have to see if I can call in a few favors AFTER I find someone to cut me a new windshield. The local glass shop is too high. Can't I just get a 5mm piece of Lexan and cut my own windshield?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 809
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RE: Bought Windshield of Ebay
You saw what happened when you tried to be cheap the first time, now you want to be cheap a second time and want better results? Spend the $140 and get the shield, do whats right. BFG- Dave...
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 809
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RE: Bought Windshield of Ebay
<Being cheap has served me well - I'm not about to change the way I do things now.>
Obviously it hasn't or you wouldn't have started this post! Not trying to yank your chain but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!!! Bite the bullet and do whats right, Dave...P.S. you want that thing coming apart while you are riding it? Thats why he got rid of it.
Obviously it hasn't or you wouldn't have started this post! Not trying to yank your chain but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!!! Bite the bullet and do whats right, Dave...P.S. you want that thing coming apart while you are riding it? Thats why he got rid of it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,530
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From: Sussex County NJ
RE: Bought Windshield of Ebay
Even more obvious is that he would of bought a Street Glide instead.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Bought Windshield of Ebay
Lexan is cut just like you cut Plexiglas. A 'triple chip' carbide sawblade is the best blade to use, but since you are going to cut curves, I would use a sabre saw with a 'Bi-Metal' blade.
After the windshield has been cut out, the next thing to do is sand the edges as smooth as you can get them. A rotary 4 inch disc sander equipped with a flap wheel will work best. This disc is very aggressive, so you have to watch it.
Here is the drawback to doing this yourself. You need the minimum of tools I mentioned above to do the cut out and smoothing. Then you need a buddy who has the gas cylinders. He may not have a hydrogen tank, but if he is a welder he most likely will.
The biggest barrier to the plan is the God-Awful price of Lexan! Around TX the scrap sells for $.75 a pound the last time I checked. To purchase a piece large enough for a windshield will mean you are buying new material, not scrap drop offs, so the price will be more. This stuff, like all plastics is made in 4ft x 8ft sheets. They will sell you less than a sheet, but you will have to pay a cutting charge. After that.....you are finally ready to start cutting your windshield out.
The procedure is as simple as dirt. The question is: How much will you be saving, even if you count your time as free. So, you know what a windshield cost, now go find what the price of the Lexan is going to be. That may help you to decide which way to go.
I fully support your effort to do it yourself! Some of the nay-sayers out there could not pour pee out of a boot, if the instructions were written on the heel. Those guys need to stay close to their friendly dealers. If you can't make something yourself then go drop a ton of green money at the dealer....well, not for me I assure you. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do......pg
After the windshield has been cut out, the next thing to do is sand the edges as smooth as you can get them. A rotary 4 inch disc sander equipped with a flap wheel will work best. This disc is very aggressive, so you have to watch it.
Here is the drawback to doing this yourself. You need the minimum of tools I mentioned above to do the cut out and smoothing. Then you need a buddy who has the gas cylinders. He may not have a hydrogen tank, but if he is a welder he most likely will.
The biggest barrier to the plan is the God-Awful price of Lexan! Around TX the scrap sells for $.75 a pound the last time I checked. To purchase a piece large enough for a windshield will mean you are buying new material, not scrap drop offs, so the price will be more. This stuff, like all plastics is made in 4ft x 8ft sheets. They will sell you less than a sheet, but you will have to pay a cutting charge. After that.....you are finally ready to start cutting your windshield out.
The procedure is as simple as dirt. The question is: How much will you be saving, even if you count your time as free. So, you know what a windshield cost, now go find what the price of the Lexan is going to be. That may help you to decide which way to go.
I fully support your effort to do it yourself! Some of the nay-sayers out there could not pour pee out of a boot, if the instructions were written on the heel. Those guys need to stay close to their friendly dealers. If you can't make something yourself then go drop a ton of green money at the dealer....well, not for me I assure you. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do......pg
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
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RE: Bought Windshield of Ebay
Thanks pg!
I've always done things myself. Over the years it has saved me big bucks and given me the knowledge and experience to do things most people would never attempt. Your detailed explanation gives me the insight I need to press forward. The deciding factor will be the cost of the Lexan. Once I determine this cost- will be the deciding factor whether I do it myself or buy a ready cut windshield.
If/when I attempt this, I may pm you on progress and/or questions.
BTW - enjoyed your pics on your Sportster project.
I've always done things myself. Over the years it has saved me big bucks and given me the knowledge and experience to do things most people would never attempt. Your detailed explanation gives me the insight I need to press forward. The deciding factor will be the cost of the Lexan. Once I determine this cost- will be the deciding factor whether I do it myself or buy a ready cut windshield.
If/when I attempt this, I may pm you on progress and/or questions.
BTW - enjoyed your pics on your Sportster project.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Top of Texas
RE: Bought Windshield of Ebay
Ain't nothing wrong with a windshield. They come off just as easy as the mount...Shame you got jipped though; makes it that much harder for us honest folks to move parts on the eBay. I sold a flawless quick-detach Sporster shield a couple years ago for $160 - the buyer was estatic!