Memphis Shade Bat Wing broken mounting clamps

[Magellon]

Anyone else break the upper mounting clamps to there Memphis Shades bat wing? Went for a short ride the other day and notices the windshield seemed lower than normal on the left side. When I got back home it seemed loose so I wiggled it and heard a POP from the right side. Found the upper fork clamp had broke then checked the left side, same thing both upper clamps now broke. I have the quick disconnect style not the permanent mounts. Only had it about a year and a half and off and on a few times. A little surprised that they broke. Clamps are only thin aluminum band but thought they should last longer than that. Any thoughts appreciated.

[R J]

Ya got a picture?

That might help us to see what is broke.

[Disco]

Yes, I've been through this twice.  Contact Memphis Shades and explain the situation.  If their policy is still the same, they will mail you the replacement parts "free" after you mail them the receipt from a Money Order you donate to St Jude's Hospital. 

[csj]

I've had both of my top mounts break twice as well. The top clamps twist with the force of the wind,
putting stress on them. The bottoms never break. I'm presently using an ugly muffler clamp
instead of the MS clamp, it doesn't break. Still looking for a better situation.

I've been advised that I ought to take a clamp to a shop and have them machine a thicker
version.

Memphis Shades does replace the clamps for free.

[Joevalk]

Buy some brackets and clamps for the Memphis shades fats windshield. All yours troubles will go away.

[Magellon]

Thanks for all the advice. for now I just ordered the replacement parts. Gona send the broken ones back to Memphis Shades. Joevalk I'll have to look into your suggestion. There's gota be a better clamp.


RJ here are the pics, 2 broken clamps.


4 clamps left side broken right side NOT broken

[quexpress]

There's gota be a better clamp.

Yes there is: Rifle billet fork clamps



A while back, I had used Memphis Shade hardware to mount a batwing fairing on my Tourer.
Later on, I have swapped batwing faring models, and have also ordered a set of Rifle billet fork clamps.

These are very solid nd have not let me down ... since 2003. 
Note: The set contained 4 clamps ... but I have only used 2 .... and have the other 2 on a shelf in my garage. 
Check this PDF for more info.
http://www.jpcycles.com/instructions/pdf/750-592.pdf

[Dorkman]

Could it be that the clamps were overtightened?  In the photo with four clamps, mine are tightened like the one in the lower right, with around 1/4 inch left to tighten.  No problems.

[Magellon]

Dorkman Its possible I over tightened them but I have had to tighten them a couple of times over there life. I have had some movement of the batwing so what you see is the last time I tightened them to try and stop the movement.

quexpress, those clamps look tuff, ill look into getting some.

Thanks again

[Disco]

Could it be that the clamps were overtightened? 

Don't think so.  Not twice.  They're just dinky. 

Thanks for the post, quexpress!