Shorter Windshield
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 474
Likes: 5
Shorter Windshield
I am probably going to cut down my windshield on my Road King. It is about 2 inches too high. I also want a narrower width, probably just outside of the chrome/stainless pieces.
Has anyone cut down a windshield on their own and what do I need to watch out for? It seems like it should be pretty straight forward, it is just a type of plastic/lexan.
If I screw it up, I'll just buy one the right height, not really out anything other than resale value.
Has anyone cut down a windshield on their own and what do I need to watch out for? It seems like it should be pretty straight forward, it is just a type of plastic/lexan.
If I screw it up, I'll just buy one the right height, not really out anything other than resale value.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
I cut one down on a Heritage and the coating harley puts on started peeling off. Replaced it with a Memphis Shades 19" replacement shield in Solar. Much better quality than the oem shield, thicker and more rigid
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
There are lots of ways of doing it but the general way is to put painter's tape on the area you plan on cutting (both sides). Take a piece of carboard, trace the top of the existing shield, cut the carboard, then use it as a template to mark your shield to be cut. People use lots of different tools to cut the shield at this point. Jigsaws or bandsaws with fine cutting blades, Dremel with cutting wheel, router, etc.
Sand the edge with some medium sandpaper then with some fine sandpaper. Done!
Sand the edge with some medium sandpaper then with some fine sandpaper. Done!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 241
Likes: 2
From: Yelm, Washington
I used to cut down the lexan windshields in my racecars and I would use the blue painters tape for a guide (put the tape on the side of the windshield you want to keep) and used a Jigsaw with a metal cutting blade and took my time. I then finished the edge with some 100 grit sandpaper. worst case is you buy an aftermarket windshield.
I haven't tried it myself, but I read that if you put some MEK on a rag and run it along your cut edge, it will give a nice finished edge. Got to be REAL careful with that stuff, and don't get it on the flat surfaces.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
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I figured I would tape and then use the jigsaw on it with some sort of makeshift straight-edge. I will stick with sand paper or file on the edge. I don't have any MEK (I assume that is Methel Ethel Keytone, used to use that in the Army on Choppers)
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 248
Likes: 6
From: Flowery Branch,Ga.
you can use a skil saw as well with a multitooth carbide tip blade. like a 60 tooth blade, put the tape on it to keep it from scratching, then take 120 grit sand paper on sander and sand it in a downward motion, not upward or it might chip.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Canada
there's a couple of good videos on youtube.......
here's the link to one :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQj05Db-C3c
but there are others.
Hope this helps
here's the link to one :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQj05Db-C3c
but there are others.
Hope this helps
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 241
Likes: 2
From: Yelm, Washington
Dude, where can you find MEK? thats some good stuff there!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 25
From: se michigan
I am probably going to cut down my windshield on my Road King. It is about 2 inches too high. I also want a narrower width, probably just outside of the chrome/stainless pieces.
Has anyone cut down a windshield on their own and what do I need to watch out for? It seems like it should be pretty straight forward, it is just a type of plastic/lexan.
If I screw it up, I'll just buy one the right height, not really out anything other than resale value.
Has anyone cut down a windshield on their own and what do I need to watch out for? It seems like it should be pretty straight forward, it is just a type of plastic/lexan.
If I screw it up, I'll just buy one the right height, not really out anything other than resale value.
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