Cut it down or buy a new one?

[Jason O]

      Well the windshield on my tourer really rattles my head around which is killing brain cells by the mile. Not a good thing since I really don't have very many spares on deck, I know shocker. My question is has anyone had any luck with simply cutting an inch or two off the OEM windshield or would it be better to buy one that's shorter?

Thanks in advance!

-Jason

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Plenty of people have cut them down. If shield is in perfect I'ld say go for it. If not might pop for  new shorter shield.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

First picture's is a stock Tourer windshield the Hoppe Fairing was designed to use the Tourer windshield and all hardware to mount. This one has been cut down 7 1/2 inches from center point at the top.







Next picture's is my Interstate the stock windshield was cut down 8 inches from top center.





After cutting dress up the cut with a good file.

[Daniel Meyer]

Front fork deflectors do wonders for that too...most of the buffeting is coming up the sides of the tank.

[sidecarrick]

 I just put a 17 1/2 inch Clearview on my Y2K tourer.  Cut down a lot on the buffeting over a stock shield (shortened by 2 inches), not only for me but for my passenger as well. If you tape it well first, you can cut down the original with a jigsaw. Bite the bullet and buy a Clearview. Good product.

[MarkT]

Tip it.  Solves lots of problems, it's really easy and it's reversible. See http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Windshield_Tipping/windshield_tipping.html

[Nickster]

Dont hurt to cut them down.  I have a stock tourer windshield that i cut about 4 inches off.  just love it i used a phuenamtic grinding cut off wheel and then filed it when i was done.  worked great.
but now i run a batwing fairing and made my own windshield out of plexy glass and love it more hahaha.  hope that helped hahahaha ride safe

[WDAN]

I have had a glass company in Dallas help me size my windshields and cut down for me at a nominal price  while I wait. The guy who runs the shop does this as a side business and has the grinding wheel and know how to do it right.

[Quicksilver]

Try using Baker wings first. I messed with my windshield without result, put on Baker wings buffeting all but gone very comfortable.

[Hoser]

I cut my stock one, Jason.  It's not that hard.  it's easy to smooth the edge when your done with sandpaper and a block. I used a hand held jigsaw with a fine toothed blade to cut it.  It can be done on the bike, but it's easier if you take it off.   I bought my clear view later in 17 " after the stock one fogged up.  Hoser

[PhredValk]

I would like to lose about an inch from the top of my windshield. What kind of shop would be best to do this? Or could I do it myself with a dremmel and sandpaper? I couldn't draw a strait line with a ruler.
Fred.

[Gunslinger]

      Well the windshield on my tourer really rattles my head around which is killing brain cells by the mile. Not a good thing since I really don't have very many spares on deck, I know shocker. My question is has anyone had any luck with simply cutting an inch or two off the OEM windshield or would it be better to buy one that's shorter?

Thanks in advance!

-Jason

You should come ride Kerri's bike, She has a tourer with a cut down windshield. Dan Meyer is right, most of the buffeting is from airflow up and around the tank.

We can cut the shield down pretty quick and easy whenever you're ready.

 - Brian.

[RoadKill]

I have cut many. Did one (her bike) with a broken hacksaw blade and masking tape at a Sturgis SD hotel parking lot and a bit of sandpaper to finish it. That was about 10 yrs ago and she hasn't divorced me yet ! 

[Fudd]

Try using Baker wings first. I messed with my windshield without result, put on Baker wings buffeting all but gone very comfortable.

That works for me too.  I close the top half and it stops the buffet at my head and shoulders.

[Jabba]

Roto-zip. That's the tool fellas. Followed by sandpaper.

Jabba

[doubletee]

Tip it.  Solves lots of problems, it's really easy and it's reversible. See http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Windshield_Tipping/windshield_tipping.html

+1   Tiliting helped my buffeting immensely, and, as MarkT mentions, it's reversible. On top of that, I also added Baker Air Wings. It's not perfect, yet, because of the air that comes up around the tank, as Daniel mentioned, but I'm loathe to put fork deflectors on mine.

[Mr. Nuts]

Tilting it is the answer. The angle of the windshield to the relative wind is too acute which causes the buffeting. Cutting it down will only make this worse! Tilting it does lower it, but it reduces the angle, and correctly done puts the buffeting air just over the top of your helmet. You should always try the tilt first. As others have wisely said, it is reversible while cutting is not.

[bigfish_Oh]

I have mine tilted which let me lower it. I was already moving the gauges back for a motosen install so it all worked. I still think I want an 1" or 2 shorter. Mine is an old national cycle shield

[Jason O]

Thanks for all the responses!  I'll let ya'll know what I go with when  I decide.

[lacon]

I agree with tilting it back first - which will  lower it a little - then decide how much to cut.  I guessed where I thought I wanted it & ran a strip of masking tape across where the top would be.  Ride it a few miles, adjust the tape strip, & ride some more, then cut.  Just cut straight across, then radius the corners to look right.  I still ended up cutting mine twice.  The hacksaw blade & rag is slow, but it can't get away from you.  Kind of like where you want your bi-focal line if you're getting to be an old gezzer like me.

[Big IV]

cut it. If that doesn't work then buy a new one as a plan B.

[BnB Tom]

Front fork deflectors do wonders for that too...most of the buffeting is coming up the sides of the tank.

  Exactly!

AND, if you notice, its worse when your feet are on your hi-way pegs (if you you have em).  This causes the air over the tank to increase a great deal as it is deflected off your legs and up the sides of the tank.

  Bakers.

Not for me.  But everybody else who has em, loves em.