Windshield Cut Down
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: New York
Windshield Cut Down
Finally got sick of the stock windshield height on my RK Classic. Stock is 20" from headlight cut out to top of shield. I'm 6'0" and have been looking thru the top edge from day one.
One of my bretheren here posted some tips on how to cut the shield and save the $$ of having to buy a new one. Used a piece of oaktag and traced stock curve, cut out curve on paper, lowered 3.5" to give me a new height of 16.5" and taped to shield. Masking taped area of cut and cut with jigsaw using new pvc blade. Worked great, sanded edge smooth and took for cruise.
Height is now perfect. Looking about 2" over top, wind just passes over top of helmet.
If you were thinking about this, but hesitant to cut into stock shield, go ahead, this was no big deal, just make sure you have template centered when marking cut line.
Here's a few before and afters, hope it helps:
Ezlife
Stock
Amount cut off
After
One of my bretheren here posted some tips on how to cut the shield and save the $$ of having to buy a new one. Used a piece of oaktag and traced stock curve, cut out curve on paper, lowered 3.5" to give me a new height of 16.5" and taped to shield. Masking taped area of cut and cut with jigsaw using new pvc blade. Worked great, sanded edge smooth and took for cruise.
Height is now perfect. Looking about 2" over top, wind just passes over top of helmet.
If you were thinking about this, but hesitant to cut into stock shield, go ahead, this was no big deal, just make sure you have template centered when marking cut line.
Here's a few before and afters, hope it helps:
Ezlife
Stock
Amount cut off
After
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
RE: Windshield Cut Down
Looks great. I have been thinking the same for my bike. I have 18" apes, and the shield will not fit, when I have the bars pushed forward. Maybe another thing I should do for the winter?? LOL
BTW, have ya thought about smoothing out the bump on both sides where ya started the cut? I can see an obvious bump on the curve. I would think you should be able to smooth it out some, and make it a little cleaner curve. Just a thought, don't mean to bust your b@lls, or anything. I just think it would look smoother.
BTW, have ya thought about smoothing out the bump on both sides where ya started the cut? I can see an obvious bump on the curve. I would think you should be able to smooth it out some, and make it a little cleaner curve. Just a thought, don't mean to bust your b@lls, or anything. I just think it would look smoother.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,112
Likes: 40
From: Boise Idaho
RE: Windshield Cut Down
That's cool, I personally bought a shorter windshield. I'm only 5'10" and the stockwindshield about made me vomit looking through it. (it vibrated to much)
Looking over is the way to go.
I think I will try that on my wifes bike, her shield is to tall for her also.
Looking over is the way to go.
I think I will try that on my wifes bike, her shield is to tall for her also.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: New York
RE: Windshield Cut Down
ORIGINAL: PapaTravis
Looks great. I have been thinking the same for my bike. I have 18" apes, and the shield will not fit, when I have the bars pushed forward. Maybe another thing I should do for the winter?? LOL
BTW, have ya thought about smoothing out the bump on both sides where ya started the cut? I can see an obvious bump on the curve. I would think you should be able to smooth it out some, and make it a little cleaner curve. Just a thought, don't mean to bust your b@lls, or anything. I just think it would look smoother.
Looks great. I have been thinking the same for my bike. I have 18" apes, and the shield will not fit, when I have the bars pushed forward. Maybe another thing I should do for the winter?? LOL
BTW, have ya thought about smoothing out the bump on both sides where ya started the cut? I can see an obvious bump on the curve. I would think you should be able to smooth it out some, and make it a little cleaner curve. Just a thought, don't mean to bust your b@lls, or anything. I just think it would look smoother.
Your right about the sanding. Ran out of paper for the sander and couldn't finish, I'm gonna picksome up this weekend and smooth things up.
Thanks for noticing! (lol)
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi.
RE: Windshield Cut Down
im in the same boat....im 6 feet tall and im always looking through the very top edge of the shield. i keep trying to look over it or bend down and look through it.
i just aint got the guts to cut it.
i just aint got the guts to cut it.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Sherwood Park, Alberta
RE: Windshield Cut Down
Hey Thunderchild,
I didn't have enought guts either, but after a 1/2 crock of the Captain decided to take the chance. (next day off course)
I used a dremel tool with a very fine grit cut-off wheel, and then finished off with a fine grit drum paper to round the edge.
worked fine.
I didn't have enought guts either, but after a 1/2 crock of the Captain decided to take the chance. (next day off course)
I used a dremel tool with a very fine grit cut-off wheel, and then finished off with a fine grit drum paper to round the edge.
worked fine.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 7
From: St Robert, MO
RE: Windshield Cut Down
I agree with Moses. The first shield I cut I used a jigsaw. The last one, I used a dremel it's much easier. And that blue painters masking tape sticks real good.
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