Gas cap reflection in windscreen

[blastedbugler]

On my Interstate the windscreen is at such a height that in relaxed riding, I look through the top 50mm.
I am happy with this as it still gives me the option when needed of looking over the screen by sitting more upright.
The problem I have is that the gas cap is relected in to the windscreen just at my line of sight.
I am thinking of painting the cap & surround flat black to eliminate the problem.
The concern is getting the paint to stick to the chrome.
Has anyone tried the paint option or are there better solutions.
Don ( Aussie )

[hubcapsc]

I got a tank strap with a cap cover to solve that problem...



The company I got mine from doesn't seem to be around anymore, but
you're in luck - I believe Talisman (a supporting vendor of this site) will make
you one...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

I have the same tank bib as Mike on one bike, but none on the other (both with OE interstate shields).  I have had the annoying gas-cap glare a couple times, but rarely, and I think it is my 5'9" shortness and the fact all my riding glasses are polarized (which mutes if not disappears the glare most of the time).  Now that I think about it, the glare has occurred for me with setting/low sun angles.  

(I seem to remember mentioning polarized lenses before and somebody did not like them, but I cannot remember why.)

I never get a glare from the bike with the bib (Heritage bibs, no longer in business).  I was never a fan of the little leather purse on tank bibs, until I inherited one.  They come in handy.  But will eventually taint your paint unless you remove, clean and wax from time to time.  Mine never comes off, except maintenance.  

If I wanted to paint my OE chrome gas cap and surround, I think I would have it powder coated (gloss black to match my bike/tank, or maybe satin in case you might still get reflection even from a painted cap).  How expensive can it be?  Tougher than paint if you hit it with a key.

I had the anodized aluminum idiot lite bezel on one interstate fairing powder
coated black as I found it distracting with sunlight, fading clearcoat, and otherwise cheezy.  It was about $40.  I need to do the other one.

Mike.  It is a tank bib, and a bra strap.... don't mix these up.  

[Thunderbolt]

Like the other guys, I have a tank bib.  My wife crafted up a flap or cover for the fill cap that is sewn on at the top and has velcro on the sides and back.  Problem solved.

[Challenger]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,48649.0.html

[fordmano]

I have never had the reflection bother me as of yet, but I have only had my interstate 7 years and only put on about 30k miles.
Just as a precaution and a convenience I almost always run with a magnetic tank bag, Store my gloves glasses, wheel/disk lock and iPhone/iPod/MP3 player.

[R J]

Hey good buddy Down Under.   I put strips of Black tape on mine to knock the glare out.     About every third year I yank the black tape off and redo it.

Solved my problem and very very cheap cost also.

[Chrisj CMA]

I never noticed the glare until other members here complained about it.  Crap! Now I see it too, but I have trained my brain to forget it (I have an overactive forgetter) If I just dont think about it and pay attention down the road its just not a problem.  Its like anything else IMHO you see what you are looking at


There is some glare in this cockpit, but like I said most of the time (90%+) I can just ignore it successfully

[Farther]

There is a leather looking gas cap cover in classifieds right now.  Buy it quick before I do and save me some money.

[Hook#3287]

I bought a small magnetic tank bag, big enough to cover the gas filler and hold my door opener, small flashlight, cell phone cable, stuff like that.   Works good, stays put and comes off in a second.

[Greg aka smoothrider ?]

I think flask has a cover for sale that will fix that problem.

[tandnhome]

Talisman motorcycle products has this tank bib . They advertise on this forum. Just bought one solved the glare

[YoungPUP]

If you want to do the paint thing a run through the old sand blasting cabinet will put an end to the chrome.

[valkyriemc]

On my Interstate the windscreen is at such a height that in relaxed riding, I look through the top 50mm.
I am happy with this as it still gives me the option when needed of looking over the screen by sitting more upright.
The problem I have is that the gas cap is relected in to the windscreen just at my line of sight.
I am thinking of painting the cap & surround flat black to eliminate the problem.
The concern is getting the paint to stick to the chrome.
Has anyone tried the paint option or are there better solutions.
Don ( Aussie )

Well I have an I/S with a look through aftermarket windshield, (Tulsa) and I get the gas cap reflection too here in sunny Fla. my solution was polarized sunglasses. G/L

[NEHI]

     I painted mine with Rustoleum satan black. I just took it of the bike wiped it down with lacquer thinner and painted it. It's been on for 3yrs and 45k. So now if I want to go back to chrome all I will have to do clean the paint off with lacquer thinner. I also painted the top of the valve covers, because the glare from them  some times is to much.

[BnB Tom]

 Try these 

                   

[Tx Bohemian]

    I painted mine with Rustoleum satan black. I just took it of the bike wiped it down with lacquer thinner and painted it. It's been on for 3yrs and 45k. So now if I want to go back to chrome all I will have to do clean the paint off with lacquer thinner. I also painted the top of the valve covers, because the glare from them  some times is to much.

Could I use "Satin" black instead of satan black?  Or is it a real "evil" paint??

Just jerking your chain here a bit!!
Or am I wrong, is it really satan black?

This is interesting because I too get annoyed at the glaring off of the tank and valve covers. 

I did as RJ and put black electrical tape on the tank and just use my highway pegs to block the covers.

This Satin Black method sounds easy enough and I'm sure looks better than the tape.

[Crazyhorse]

Rick's (aka Flask on the board) wife makes covers for the chome gas tank cap. Send him a PM I'm sure they will take good care of you. They are good people .

[Flask]

My wife doe's make a cover that attaches with velcro.

Pics show cover. I have a Hopnel tank bib that leaves the cover uncovered.

I also works well with no bib.

[Flask]

My wife doe's make a cover that attaches with velcro.

Pics show cover. I have a Hopnel tank bib that leaves the cover uncovered.

I also works well with no bib.

Pics did not transfer





If interested contact at tark4@bellsouth.net

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

 

[Flask]

Thanks Dave !!!!

Do not know what you did or why they where not attached to my previous post ??????

[NEHI]

   Your right it is satin black, dam computer doesn't know how to spell. The paint really sticks well to the chrome and if you want to go back to shiney just wipe it off with lacquer thinner.

[JC]

Polarized sunglasses took care of it for me! 

[RP#62]

Polarized sunglasses took care of it for me! 

Same here.
-RP

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Thanks Dave !!!!

Do not know what you did or why they where not attached to my previous post ??????

No Problem. Went to their properties and copy pasted it to get to your photobucket and used the last or bottom link to get them up. you must have grabbed the wrong link in a hurry. I learned from Joe to "ride around and help people" 

[wolf]

i solved my glare problem by putting a windsheild bag ave the spedo and tach. works fine for me

[Jabba]

I have never solved it, though I experience it from time to time.  It seems worse on the IS with the windshield.  Not much of an issue on the standard with the windshield off.

I just bitch about it.   

Jabba