Windshield torque
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
It would be nice to know which windshields you are cracking.
I'm on my 4th Bat Wing Fairing, with about 15 different windshields, changed out about (at least) 60 times and never torqued one or cracked one.
I'm on my 4th Bat Wing Fairing, with about 15 different windshields, changed out about (at least) 60 times and never torqued one or cracked one.
Tighten til tight but not over tight. Snug 'em don't crack 'em. I have never cracked a windshield myself. In fact I have a Fast Aire 8" shield that I have had since 2006. It has been off and on more times than I can count and has never cracked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
I'd have to ask if there are other factors involved w/these frequent shield cracks..?? Are your fairing mounts OK, do you frequently run over RR tracks/speed bumps, or are thre any other vibrations while riding? The shields shouldn't be cracking so something doesn't seem right...
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Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 89
From: Vermont
I already stated that there were 2 Stock Harley and one wind splitter. My son accidentally knocked my windshield trim on to the concrete floor and damaged it so I picked up another. Interestingly the instructions for the new trim say tighten 8-15 inch pounds. I still have the instructions for the other trim and it said 20-30. I had been tightening the shields to the 20-30 inch pound spec, which seemed a little tight to me for plastic. Maybe this will work? I tightened to snug about 10 inch pounds using feel and no wrench this time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
I just snug all 7 up by hand, maybe just a bit past snug. Ain't had a shield crack yet and my fairing hasn't fallen off.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Here's a simple trick that I used to keep those screws from coming use. I installed a chrome trim strip. Insert the screw through the strip, and then put a faucet rubber washer under the strip as you attach it to the fairing. The slight compression of the faucet rubber will keep the screw tight without over torquing it, and if the screw does come loose, it won't fall out as the rubber will hold it in place.
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Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 89
From: Vermont
Harley has the same idea. The windshield strips now come with the rubber washers of which you speak.
Here's a simple trick that I used to keep those screws from coming use. I installed a chrome trim strip. Insert the screw through the strip, and then put a faucet rubber washer under the strip as you attach it to the fairing. The slight compression of the faucet rubber will keep the screw tight without over torquing it, and if the screw does come loose, it won't fall out as the rubber will hold it in place.
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Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 89
From: Vermont
Does anybody who has ever pulled the outer fairing off completely know for sure whether the rubber strips that run up both outside edges between the inner and outer fairing halves, is glued or is it just held in place by the two halves?