Are these things supposed to actually do anything? Cause mine just sort of hang out and do nothing.

 

They like to vibrate and make noise, at least that is all that mine does, lol.

 

I know it's a different model/year from my bike, but I suspect the general premise is the same.... it's part of the windshield quick release mechanism..

On my '03 Heritage, that spring hooks a piece of the bracket. To remove the windshield, you have to lift that spring over the bracket, to pop the windshield forward off the top grommet and then pull the windshield up, off the bottom grommets...

I didn't like the fact that it was so easy for someone to pop off my windshield, so I put a couple zip ties around those mounting points. Hopefully just enough of a deterrent to keep some drunk from walking off with my windshield....

 

Yes, they are supposed to lock your windshield in place. Yours are out of position, and you're right, they are doing nothing. Your windshield and mechanism isn't quite seated. On each side, just push rearward on the windshield's vertical hardware piece (about the center screw area), and push the spring clip down into place.

 

This is how I have the one's for my 03 RKC positioned........ Serve about the same security level with no buzzing noise. They would never stay in their proper position and made an annoying noise, so they earned a time out on the workbench until..........??

 

I thought they were finger pulls!! Mine have been off for a long time......

 

MIne sit just like the OP's on my '18. No matter how hard I push they do not get to a position where they can latch down. I never even checked to see if they were adjustable even though I have swapped windshields to a shorter LRS. I guess I should probably address it, LOL.

 

I've pushed so hard on the windshield the bike literally started going backwards, dragging the kickstand across the cement. Nope, not gonna move anywhere close enough to do any sort of latching.
So, F**k 'em. I took them off about 5 minutes ago. They are now hanging out in the bottom drawer of my toolbox.

 

If you ever get the urge to try again, loosen the acorn nuts retaining the spring, and the acorn nuts holding the rubber washers in place and rotate the washers until everything lines up. After it's made full contact, tighten everything back up.

 

THAT ^ is how to make them work properly.