Homemade fly screen
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Homemade fly screen
I made this little fly screen that works so well I thought I'd share it here in case anyone else was looking for something like this.
First, let me explain why I made this. The stock surf board that came mounted on the front of my bike isn't aerodynamic, like the Batwing on the Road and Street Glides. True, it does keep the wind from beating on my chest but the turbulence, noise, extremely poor gas mileage at speed and reduced effect of horsepower makes the windshield completely useless.
Coming from the sportbike realm, I've owned a dozen different bikes with tiny little windshields that allowed me to ride at speeds in excess of 160 MPH, comfortably and smoothly.
So why the big giant boogie board? I never figured out the purpose, when it rains I get just as wet. I only need to block the chest blast wind so I can ride long distance on the highway at 90MPH.
But nobody makes a fly screen. So I made one out of 1/8" plexiglass. It works so well that I feel like I bought a different bike.
I can ride 90 MPH on the highway all day in super smooth clean quiet undisturbed air with all wind blocked from my chest and shoulders. My gas mileage at that speed is almost as good as it is at 70MPH and my bike feels like it gained 50 more horsepower on the highway.
Tom
First, let me explain why I made this. The stock surf board that came mounted on the front of my bike isn't aerodynamic, like the Batwing on the Road and Street Glides. True, it does keep the wind from beating on my chest but the turbulence, noise, extremely poor gas mileage at speed and reduced effect of horsepower makes the windshield completely useless.
Coming from the sportbike realm, I've owned a dozen different bikes with tiny little windshields that allowed me to ride at speeds in excess of 160 MPH, comfortably and smoothly.
So why the big giant boogie board? I never figured out the purpose, when it rains I get just as wet. I only need to block the chest blast wind so I can ride long distance on the highway at 90MPH.
But nobody makes a fly screen. So I made one out of 1/8" plexiglass. It works so well that I feel like I bought a different bike.
I can ride 90 MPH on the highway all day in super smooth clean quiet undisturbed air with all wind blocked from my chest and shoulders. My gas mileage at that speed is almost as good as it is at 70MPH and my bike feels like it gained 50 more horsepower on the highway.
Tom
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Looks good, nice job. But I have to ask, if it's deflecting the wind from your chest & shoulders, isn't redirecting the wind right into your face? Or is that ok because you wear a full face bucket & shield? Even then it seems like it would be a lot of force blowing your head back, no?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
I learned a long time ago,that just a jacket or sleeping bag tied to the 'bars will cut down a LOT of wind,and even seem to put the wind over your head. On my baggers I've always used a windshield that is just tall enough that I can look through it,or over it,if I need to. Works for me.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
I've thought about something that small and wondered if it'd work, like attaching it to my risers, since there's no way I'll put a big windshield car part on my bike.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 132
From: x
I hate the look of windshields, functional or not, and I'd almost try one of those. Smoked plexi of course. Come up with a better attachment and I'll bet you could market that.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: San Quirino, Italy
True, it does keep the wind from beating on my chest but the turbulence, noise, extremely poor gas mileage at speed and reduced effect of horsepower makes the windshield completely useless.
Coming from the sportbike realm, I've owned a dozen different bikes with tiny little windshields that allowed me to ride at speeds in excess of 160 MPH, comfortably and smoothly.
Tom
Coming from the sportbike realm, I've owned a dozen different bikes with tiny little windshields that allowed me to ride at speeds in excess of 160 MPH, comfortably and smoothly.
Tom
Last edited by Northbound Southerner; Jan 20, 2015 at 11:27 PM.