Cut down the windshield?
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island, NY
Cut down the windshield?
I bought a removable windshield for my FXDC and understand that I should be looking just OVER the top as I am riding. Unfortunately, I have to stretch to see over the top of the windshield. Has anyone cut a windshield down to be able to comfortably see over the top? If so, where would you bring the windshield for this type of modification? Any thoughts on what I should pay for this? I live in Staten Island, NY if there are any of you locals out there with some advice.
Thanks very much in advance for your opinions and advice.
Thanks very much in advance for your opinions and advice.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Everyone has their own preference but since I prefer looking over mine I cut about an inch or so off it. If you have a jig saw it's not that big of a deal. Plenty of sites online that show you how. Other than that probably any glass shop would be able to do it for you.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: NJ
If you're willing to do it yourself, do a forum search and you'll find instructions on how to do it. If you want to send it out, bring it to a glass shop, they can do it for you. I paid $25 to have it done in Northern NJ.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
I prefer the clear view of looking over a shield but have learned to live with looking through it for the added wind/debris protection. If I sit up straight, which I rarely do, I can still see over the top. Getting caught in the rain is about the only time I need to do it though.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,920
Likes: 6
From: Upstate New York
get a big sheet of construction paper,,, trace out the top edge/curve of your shield,
place maskin tape on the shield where you want your new hieght to be,(to prevent scratches from the saw),, trace to line from the construction paper to the tape,,
cut away,, then use a belt sander to smooth edge,,,
So easy a cave man could do it!
place maskin tape on the shield where you want your new hieght to be,(to prevent scratches from the saw),, trace to line from the construction paper to the tape,,
cut away,, then use a belt sander to smooth edge,,,
So easy a cave man could do it!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 38
From: The real N.CA (not S.F. Bay Area)
get a big sheet of construction paper,,, trace out the top edge/curve of your shield,
place maskin tape on the shield where you want your new hieght to be,(to prevent scratches from the saw),, trace to line from the construction paper to the tape,,
cut away,, then use a belt sander to smooth edge,,,
So easy a cave man could do it!
place maskin tape on the shield where you want your new hieght to be,(to prevent scratches from the saw),, trace to line from the construction paper to the tape,,
cut away,, then use a belt sander to smooth edge,,,
So easy a cave man could do it!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
I've done two of them pretty much like Rick said.
Cover the shield with tape. Blue painter's tape will do.
Draw the line to match the existing curve or modify it if you like.
Cut real close to the line with a jig saw.
Finish with a series of files, coarse to fine, followed by sandpaper, also coarse to fine. Belt sander can be too much unless you've got a perfect touch.
To really polish edge use 600 wet sandpaper followed by Novus 2 or toothpaste.
Cover the shield with tape. Blue painter's tape will do.
Draw the line to match the existing curve or modify it if you like.
Cut real close to the line with a jig saw.
Finish with a series of files, coarse to fine, followed by sandpaper, also coarse to fine. Belt sander can be too much unless you've got a perfect touch.
To really polish edge use 600 wet sandpaper followed by Novus 2 or toothpaste.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Here's the video that was the biggest help for me. It came out perfect. Getting up the nerve to start is the hard part.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQj05Db-C3c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQj05Db-C3c
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: North Central Arkansas
Cover both sides with painter's tape. Trace your line that you want to cut. If you or a friend have a small band saw, that's the best tool for the job. If not, find a woodworking shop or metal house that will do the cutting for you. The backside of a hacksaw blade will take the new edges down nicely. Finish with successive grits of sandpaper, then remove the tape. Voila!