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Feedback & experience: National Cycle beaded HD windshield
I can't believe I'm saying this, but am considering buying a stock-pattern National Cycle Beaded Heavy Duty windshield for my '51 FL, which I'll be rebuilding over the winter.
Why? Because I want to start defaulting to it for my grocery runs into ABQ, and am hoping its protection is sufficient with insulated riding pants to use nearly year-round. Summer, Spring and much of the Fall are fine without a windshield but Winter? I can't handle it.
My only experience with this style--or something like it--was with my ex-fiance's father's '90s Road King. It was just wonderful, amazingly still air behind it. (I'm trying to find out what he had on it, if he's still alive and kicking...)
Anyway, my questions:
- Does anyone have experience with this windshield on a stock triple-tree Panhead?
- Is there a better choice that combines period-correct (more or less) looks, quality, and coverage?
- What about handling effects? I'd be cruising ~70 or below typically, as the highway I take parallels the interstate, which I avoid like the plague--and NM's backroads have 70 mph speed limits.
Sorry, meant to include the other option National has, this chopped down version which is 5" shorter. Might be better in view of my lower than stock seat height?
I don't have experience with those windshields, but there is a way to figure the correct height. I don't remember if it's 3" below your nose, or something else. I've used two of these recurved windshields on my road king and they do a great job, may be what your ex-FIL had?
I don't have experience with those windshields, but there is a way to figure the correct height. I don't remember if it's 3" below your nose, or something else. I've used two of these recurved windshields on my road king and they do a great job, may be what your ex-FIL had?
I got the taller 21" version because I have a police seat. They don't sell brackets, though.
Hi Joe.
Thanks for this. I actually got ahold of my ex-fiancé who put me in touch with her Dad last night. He (thank goodness) is still riding. He's retired to a 40-acre ranch in the Ozarks, and says I should ride the Pan-Shovel out there when the rebuilt engine is broken in and do some horseback riding on the ranch. Good chance to test out the windshield?
Anyway, turns out he actually had an OEM Road King windshield on it. But I like the unobstructed view of the road--and conversely of the bike itself--provided by the Clearview's non-beaded edges. They claim as well that it's thicker and more rigid. No issues with it flexing a bunch at speed? Also, it sounds from your experience that the recurve may reduce buffeting even further? Price is about the same.
The only issue I see is that they do not offer brackets--but it looks like I could buy a replacement kit for a reasonable amount. I'd presumably have to modify things a bit to fit the hole spacing on the triple trees of my '51 FL, though...
As to height: okay, I gather the idea is to be able to just see over the top. I'll take some measurements and see whether things would work out with my low saddle. Here's a roughly accurate sideview showing about where I sit...
Last edited by NM Pan-shovel; Oct 5, 2024 at 09:55 AM.
NM Pan-Shovel
I picked up a National Cycle Beaded Heavy Duty windshield about a year ago at a local MMI Motorcycle Swap Meet. It was new in the box and came with 2 sets of Brackets, I used the Polished set. The windshield is well made and bolted right up to my 75 FLH. I have been very happy with it.
NM Pan-Shovel
I picked up a National Cycle Beaded Heavy Duty windshield about a year ago at a local MMI Motorcycle Swap Meet. It was new in the box and came with 2 sets of Brackets, I used the Polished set. The windshield is well made and bolted right up to my 75 FLH. I have been very happy with it.
Photos...? What's it like sitting behind it at, say, 65~70 mph?
Photos...? What's it like sitting behind it at, say, 65~70 mph?
The windshield makes for very comfortable riding, top of windshield is about even with the bottom of my nose. With the windshield on I can easily ride all day, without it I'm usually done after about 300 miles. 65-70 is the Max Speed that I ride this bike, I have a Road King and an FXR if I want to ride fast. I couldn't believe how lucky I got that day at the Swap Meet, picked up the windshield and a FSM for my bike that day for a little over m$100.00.
The windshield makes for very comfortable riding, top of windshield is about even with the bottom of my nose. With the windshield on I can easily ride all day, without it I'm usually done after about 300 miles. 65-70 is the Max Speed that I ride this bike, I have a Road King and an FXR if I want to ride fast. I couldn't believe how lucky I got that day at the Swap Meet, picked up the windshield and a FSM for my bike that day for a little over m$100.00.
Thanks for taking the time to post all of those and the extra info. Gives me a better idea of how it might look and feel on my bike.
Hmmm... well I must say I kind of like the more period-correct look of the National Cycle at first glance, and cost-wise you get the brackets as part of the deal. For sure, with either windshield I'd have to reinstall the 5-1/2" slightly bent-back risers I had on originally, shown here, as I think the drag bars might cause the master cylinders to foul the windshield.
Need to mull things over. That's a dynamite-looking Shovel, BTW.
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Feedback & experience: National Cycle beaded HD windshield
