If 2014 vent works so well, why not drill holes in windshield?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 351
From: MO
If 2014 vent works so well, why not drill holes in windshield?
After 2 years of trying everything under the sun, I still have some buffeting with my 2011 Street Glide. Most of what I have left is from air coming up over the tank. From what I've read, this is caused by a vacuum behind the windshield and the SGs are the worst for this.
In reading about the 2014s, it appears that the new fairing vent has solved this problem. Which got me to thinking, why not try to duplicate the fairing vent by drilling holes in the base of my windshield? I took an aftermarket windshield that I was no longer using, and drilled 4 1/2" holes in it just above the fairing. Then I went for a ride. I couldn't tell any difference in the buffeting, so I put my LRS shield back on.
Is it the location of the 2014 vent that makes it work and the holes in the shield not work?
In reading about the 2014s, it appears that the new fairing vent has solved this problem. Which got me to thinking, why not try to duplicate the fairing vent by drilling holes in the base of my windshield? I took an aftermarket windshield that I was no longer using, and drilled 4 1/2" holes in it just above the fairing. Then I went for a ride. I couldn't tell any difference in the buffeting, so I put my LRS shield back on.
Is it the location of the 2014 vent that makes it work and the holes in the shield not work?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 37
From: Monroe, Louisiana
Plenty of posts say it has. If you look at the vent it is a lot more than 6 or 8" hole in the fairing. It is curved to direct the air up behind the windshield and over the head. One guy said he got caught in the rain and it deflected the rain also.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
I never thought buffeting was a problem on my 2003 FLHTCUI, and I am 6'3". My Vulcan 750 used to beat my head around, behind my little Hellfire windshield. So I didn't give the mild buffeting a thought until the 2014's came out. I would volunteer for way more buffeting, before I would butcher my fairing.
Do the lowers on an Ultra cut down on buffeting?
Do the lowers on an Ultra cut down on buffeting?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
Several online magazine reviews say that the vent provides a 20 percent reduction of buffeting,most feedback around here on the forum makes it sound much more impressive than 20 percent.
2008 FLHTCU with an 8 inch Long Ride recurve is a smooth enough ride for me.
2008 FLHTCU with an 8 inch Long Ride recurve is a smooth enough ride for me.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
Look in the parts catalog I see windshields with a vent...... I did not see for all what models but just saying the idea is already there.
I just got a 14 SG and the vent works more so than the negative comments think it does.... I will not toss a percent because how the heck do I know what that percent is.
I just got a 14 SG and the vent works more so than the negative comments think it does.... I will not toss a percent because how the heck do I know what that percent is.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,885
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
I never thought buffeting was a problem on my 2003 FLHTCUI, and I am 6'3". My Vulcan 750 used to beat my head around, behind my little Hellfire windshield. So I didn't give the mild buffeting a thought until the 2014's came out. I would volunteer for way more buffeting, before I would butcher my fairing.
Do the lowers on an Ultra cut down on buffeting?
Do the lowers on an Ultra cut down on buffeting?
As too the OP I added Vampire teeth to the forks. Do they help? just a bit. I cut a few fairing shield. If you have a few why not try a new cut or vents
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
When I test drove the Indian Chieftain out at Sturgis (which has an electrically adjustable windshield) I noticed that when I raised it up, that vents in the bottom of the windshield were then exposed. I assumed at the time it was to help control buffeting.