Anybody ever cut down a windshield ?

[Sonny]

My Valk has a Memphis Shade windshield that measures 21 inches from the top of the headlight cut out. It needs to be about 3" shorter. I'm pretty handy with tools and such.

Has anyone done this?

[Mallett]

I cut mine down using a Bosch jig saw blade T 101. Tape it off & take your time sawing. I took an orbital sander & smoothed the edges after sawing.

[Dorkman]

Here's a link that covers the basics.  I used it to cut down a Harley windshield a few years ago.

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/remove_windshield/

[pocobubba]

I had mine cut down at a plexiglass place , ended up with a better edge than stock .

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

I put blue painters tape on, drew the line where I wanted, used the jig saw with a new blade, and cut it off.  Came out pretty good, especially if you file, grind or sand the cut edge.  I cut enough off of mine to make a "shorty" windshield and had enough left over to make another piece I could attach to make a higher shield for trips.  I made the "shorty" windshield about three inches to short, so make sure it's where you want before you cut.  You may have enough shield left over to make front fork shields. 

[signart]

I cut my M/S down about 2 1/2 inches and made a 1 in. +/- extension out of flat alum. stock for the bottom bracket bolts. This drastically laid the top of the shield back (which made the top lower as well) as the stock shield position is almost straight up. I can now look over the top of the windshield. Looks way better and more important, slices through the wind with noticeably less effort.
Only problem is the it increased the gap over the headlight, so I actually cut a whole new windshield and made allowance for this. Outperforms oem, imo.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Same as above...Blue tape , jig-saw and file to dress.

[Chiefy]

I put blue painters tape on, drew the line where I wanted, used the jig saw with a new blade, and cut it off.  Came out pretty good, especially if you file, grind or sand the cut edge.  I cut enough off of mine to make a "shorty" windshield and had enough left over to make another piece I could attach to make a higher shield for trips.  I made the "shorty" windshield about three inches to short, so make sure it's where you want before you cut.  You may have enough shield left over to make front fork shields. 

   I cut out some cardboard and traced the top curve on it.  Then I used the painter tape over the area to be cut, and used the cardboard to trace a line for the curve worked great.  Used a fine blade in a sabre saw.  I think I ran it about half speed.

*BUT*  It caused more helmet buffeting, which was fixed with air wings.  At the time, I had money for a new shield or wings.  Took a chance with the shield, looks fine, so got the Bakers.  Win-win.

[Farther]

I did the same thing with the blue painter's tape and cardboard tracing to transfer the curve of the shield 4 inches lower.  The shield was left on the bike for support.  Then I made the cut with a saw blade specifically for plastic.  Worked very well except the blade was made for straight line cuts and I had to force it into the curve.  I finished the edge with my palm sander and various grades of paper.  I am very pleased with the results except I wish I would have cut it two inches instead of four inches.

[ricoman]

It is not a hard job.
Leave the windshield on the bike unless you have a foolproof way of holding it when you make the cut. Go slow with the jigsaw or you risk having the plastic melt together behind the blade.
Finish the cut edge first with a file followed by appropriate sanding.

[Former BMW Guy]

Try a coping saw with a fine blade.

JP

[salty1]

Good luck! If it we're me, I'd buy a second MS shield the length you want. 

[blastedbugler]

With some bright coloured tape pieces ( 50x5 mm ) stick these on the centre of the windscreen at 20mm, 50mm etc from the top.
Go for a ride & get into the usual relaxed riding position.
Check which tape position gives the desired result.
Mask off the area of windscreen to prevent damage & to mark the cut off line.
Get a piece of thin spring wire ( hobby shops stock these ).
Tape onto windscreen in centre at height for cut.
Then pull down wire at edge of windscreen evenly at both sides.
Wire will have taken a smooth curve which you mark on the tape.
Actual curve shape ( flat or more curve ) can be adjusted.
Don ( Aussie )

[ricoman]

the easiest way to get the cut correct at the top is the way Chiefy said.
Tape some posterboard to the windshield, scribe the top arc onto the posterboard, going at least halfway down the sides of the windshield, lower the line on the posterboard to the height you want on the windshield and trace the line onto the windshield. Put the tape on each side of the marked line so the saw foot doen't scratch the windshield.
Make your cut. A jigsaw with a medium blade works best. Go slow.

[Bocephus]

Make a template like Ricoman said, but use a dremel tool with a cutoff disk to make the cut. About medium speed and go slow. Use a flat file to dress the edges when done. Done it many times for myself and friends. Works great. If you set on your bike like you set when your riding and lay a quarter on the ground 50 feet in front of you, look at the quarter and mark the windshield where you see the quarter. This is where you need to cut the windshield. If your wanting to see over it.

[Farther]

I would think the quarter method will make the shield too short.  I suggest making several horizontal marks one inch apart on the shield with a grease pencil and then ride around awhile to determine at which mark is most comfortable for your viewing.  Measure twice, cut once.