Fat Boy Windshields
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Fat Boy Windshields
I have an 07 Fat Boy and a long road trip coming up. I have had a standard detachable winscreen fitted but it is right on my eyeline and shakes above 60mph. So the options are none, taller or shorter. Any input appreciated.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 2
From: gone 4 good
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
You should be able to just look over the top of it. They do make like a humming noise or whistle when you reach a certain speed, but it shouldn't shake?? I find mine only does this as I am cornering at 50-60 mph. I will tell you this much, after riding with it for my road trips, I couldn't imagine going without it. Maybe around town, but never on the highway without it. I find riding on the highway without one for more than 50 miles very tiring.
You will get lots of mixed reviews on this, as some love em' and some hate em'. I happen to like them for what they do, but hate the look of them on my bike. It's really up to what makes you comfortable.
You will get lots of mixed reviews on this, as some love em' and some hate em'. I happen to like them for what they do, but hate the look of them on my bike. It's really up to what makes you comfortable.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
I can look over the top but think it would be a tiring stretch for a long ride. Likewise stooping down to look thru. Its not so much a shake as a flexing that distorts the screen (and the view!). I'm sure you are right on the opinions. You didn't mention what size screen you have?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
I'm not that tall in the saddle; for that matter, I'm nottoo tall standing up either. You want to be able to easily see over the top of your windscreen, ideally the top of the windscreen should be no taller than the bottom of your nose or upper lip. (somewhere in there anyway).
I have the smoked, compact, removeable windscreen and it is a little low, but I like the unobstructed view. With my windscreen being shorter, mine doesn't shake. It does its job: Reflects noise, kills bugs, and keeps a decent amount of head-on turbulance off of me. I don't get any head buffeting. I wear a DOT half-helmet, riding (plastic) Ray-Ban sunglasses, and don't get any whistling in my helmet straps.
Someone on here has spoken about companies that will cut-down you Lexan. You could get a custom-fit for your measurments. That has got to be cheaper than buying a whole new screen.
Keep us informed.
I have the smoked, compact, removeable windscreen and it is a little low, but I like the unobstructed view. With my windscreen being shorter, mine doesn't shake. It does its job: Reflects noise, kills bugs, and keeps a decent amount of head-on turbulance off of me. I don't get any head buffeting. I wear a DOT half-helmet, riding (plastic) Ray-Ban sunglasses, and don't get any whistling in my helmet straps.
Someone on here has spoken about companies that will cut-down you Lexan. You could get a custom-fit for your measurments. That has got to be cheaper than buying a whole new screen.
Keep us informed.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 2
From: gone 4 good
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
ORIGINAL: HotFatBoy
I can look over the top but think it would be a tiring stretch for a long ride. Likewise stooping down to look thru. Its not so much a shake as a flexing that distorts the screen (and the view!). I'm sure you are right on the opinions. You didn't mention what size screen you have?
I can look over the top but think it would be a tiring stretch for a long ride. Likewise stooping down to look thru. Its not so much a shake as a flexing that distorts the screen (and the view!). I'm sure you are right on the opinions. You didn't mention what size screen you have?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
ORIGINAL: HotFatBoy
I have an 07 Fat Boy and a long road trip coming up. I have had a standard detachable winscreen fitted but it is right on my eyeline and shakes above 60mph. So the options are none, taller or shorter. Any input appreciated.
I have an 07 Fat Boy and a long road trip coming up. I have had a standard detachable winscreen fitted but it is right on my eyeline and shakes above 60mph. So the options are none, taller or shorter. Any input appreciated.
About the shaking, you must periodicallyretighten the hex screws that hold the lexan screenand apply the blue loctite to them, also I assume you torqued the WS nuts properly when installed. Mine is solid at any speed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 312
From: Out of Commiefornia!
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
I, like PoorBoy, got the compact and it's a bit too short for me. On longer rides, I get a bit of buffeting and the wife says she gets quite a bit. I'm a bit taller (6'2"), though, and so is she(6'). The C&C seats drop me down quite a bit, but I'm still too tall for that shield. As everyone above says - they're supposed to come just under your line of vision.
I've picked up a few now off eBay, but unfortunately the two I've received were not the right models and won't fit the Fat Boy. I'm hoping the third time's a charm and the one that's on its way will be the right fit... I'll probably have to put the others in the classifieds some day.
I suspect the best solution is to get the larger screen and have it cut down? Sounds like its not difficult, there's plenty of places to get it chopped, and shouldn't cost too much more? That way it fits exactly.
Lastly, it certainly shouldn't shake, unless maybe when you'reriding in the buffet zone of the vehicle in front of you. A properly-fitted screen is nearly mandatory for distance or freeway riding, IMHO. Detachable is the way to go, though!
Roger
I've picked up a few now off eBay, but unfortunately the two I've received were not the right models and won't fit the Fat Boy. I'm hoping the third time's a charm and the one that's on its way will be the right fit... I'll probably have to put the others in the classifieds some day.
I suspect the best solution is to get the larger screen and have it cut down? Sounds like its not difficult, there's plenty of places to get it chopped, and shouldn't cost too much more? That way it fits exactly.
Lastly, it certainly shouldn't shake, unless maybe when you'reriding in the buffet zone of the vehicle in front of you. A properly-fitted screen is nearly mandatory for distance or freeway riding, IMHO. Detachable is the way to go, though!
Roger
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 3
From: Sydney, Australia
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
I just ordered the King size one for the flstn to suit the deluxe lighting kit (hoping I ordered the right one!! Part no: 57181-05)....am 6' tall so hope I picked the right size... then again knowing me, and the fact that the bike looks better without it than with, I will probably only use it once 
DeanO
DeanO
ORIGINAL: tunaman
I, like PoorBoy, got the compact and it's a bit too short for me. On longer rides, I get a bit of buffeting and the wife says she gets quite a bit. I'm a bit taller (6'2"), though, and so is she(6'). The C&C seats drop me down quite a bit, but I'm still too tall for that shield. As everyone above says - they're supposed to come just under your line of vision.
I've picked up a few now off eBay, but unfortunately the two I've received were not the right models and won't fit the Fat Boy. I'm hoping the third time's a charm and the one that's on its way will be the right fit... I'll probably have to put the others in the classifieds some day.
I suspect the best solution is to get the larger screen and have it cut down? Sounds like its not difficult, there's plenty of places to get it chopped, and shouldn't cost too much more? That way it fits exactly.
Lastly, it certainly shouldn't shake, unless maybe when you'reriding in the buffet zone of the vehicle in front of you. A properly-fitted screen is nearly mandatory for distance or freeway riding, IMHO. Detachable is the way to go, though!
Roger
I, like PoorBoy, got the compact and it's a bit too short for me. On longer rides, I get a bit of buffeting and the wife says she gets quite a bit. I'm a bit taller (6'2"), though, and so is she(6'). The C&C seats drop me down quite a bit, but I'm still too tall for that shield. As everyone above says - they're supposed to come just under your line of vision.
I've picked up a few now off eBay, but unfortunately the two I've received were not the right models and won't fit the Fat Boy. I'm hoping the third time's a charm and the one that's on its way will be the right fit... I'll probably have to put the others in the classifieds some day.
I suspect the best solution is to get the larger screen and have it cut down? Sounds like its not difficult, there's plenty of places to get it chopped, and shouldn't cost too much more? That way it fits exactly.
Lastly, it certainly shouldn't shake, unless maybe when you'reriding in the buffet zone of the vehicle in front of you. A properly-fitted screen is nearly mandatory for distance or freeway riding, IMHO. Detachable is the way to go, though!
Roger
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 312
From: Out of Commiefornia!
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
Like I said... longer rides at highway speeds, it's usually on. Other than that, it's sitting in the garage lonely while we're out playing! Good to have that option, though!
Roger
Roger
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
RE: Fat Boy Windshields
I bought one off a forum member here a couple of months ago and it's worked great. I was also concerned about looking through the windshield as I had that problem on a rental bike a couple of years ago and hated it. The one I got is part # 58653-97A and the height is just about right for me, I'm 6'1" and using the sidekick seat. I can easily look over top of the shield but it takes all the wind off my chest and arms. Once I get over 120 kmh (70 mph) there is some slight buffeting on the top of my helmet but nothing like the way it tried to leave altogether before the shield. The only thing about this windshield is it's made for use with the nacelle headlight so there is about an extra 1/2" space around the stock headlight but I don't notice any big rush of air coming from that area. (That may also be due to the bag I have behind the shield but I don't consider the larger opening to be a problem.)
PS, please excuse the bugs, I normally wouldn't post a photo of it so dirty but I just got back from todays ride.
[IMG]local://upfiles/24492/C6EAA165023448C4AD8736420C2EACDD.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/24492/4558D24054B14D3E8EAA348D5B4E2FB4.jpg[/IMG]
PS, please excuse the bugs, I normally wouldn't post a photo of it so dirty but I just got back from todays ride.
[IMG]local://upfiles/24492/C6EAA165023448C4AD8736420C2EACDD.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/24492/4558D24054B14D3E8EAA348D5B4E2FB4.jpg[/IMG]