Clearview windshield fitment issues on a 2000 Standard

[yelovalk]

Hello all,

There are several threads on the Clearview replacement but not able to find a solution to this.
Original Hondaline windshield on it since new in 2000. Fit great but age was showing. I read all the reviews I could find and chose them because of the good feedback and customer service everyone talked about.
I installed a stock height 21", stock width replacement but with a vent to my existing hardware and brackets.
The shield fits side to side is equal but the opening around the head light is off, almost as if the opening is askew. There is a 15mm gap on the bike's right side and nearly rubbing the headlight on the bike's left.
There is minimal adjustment in the mounting holes for the shield or the brackets to the forks.
I have been told that no other Valkyrie owner has ever had this issue. I was sent several photos of happy customers with one installed on a Valkyrie and several have the exact same issue.
Anyone have the same issue or a solution? There is no adjustment in the headlight housing as it bolts directly to the forks.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Jess from VA]

You should take some pictures of the crooked shield mount and send them to Clearview.

I'm sure they will stand behind any foul-up.

My only questions are... are you sure your headlight is straight and level?

Are the shield measurements from the side to the light cutout equal on both sides?  If not, take pictures with the measuring tape laid across it too.

Remember, you're not supposed to remove the shield covering until you have a good mount. 

 

[yelovalk]

Sadly I have been unable to attach pictures here, but have sent a couple dozen to Clearview over the past two weeks. They have no idea why the issue or how to correct it. Thus hoping for some insight here.
The headlight has three non adjustable mounting points inside the headlight housing so no way to be incorrect without being bent.
The shield fits exactly 15mm from each turn signal. The only issue is the opening for the headlight/
The original shield that i removed minutes before fit perfectly around the headlight on all 4 sides as it completely encircles the headlight.
As I have owned it since new, I know it has not been crashed.  Last one to work on it was Big BF. Pretty certain that he would have pointed out any flaws.

[baldo]

If it's a manufacturing issue, they'll definitely stand behind it.

[WintrSol]

Hmmm... mine fits perfectly. Try measuring from the mounting holes to the chrome bracket to the cutout on each side. Of course, they should measure the same.

To post photos, I use a site (postimage.org), and copy the link, like this:

[hubcapsc]

If you haven't already thrown out the old one, perhaps you could
tell something if you held them together, see if the Clearview is
misshapen some how...

Here's how mine fits...



-Mike

[yelovalk]

OEM windshield



Clearview ( with the plastic still on per their instructions )

[yelovalk]

If you haven't already thrown out the old one, perhaps you could
tell something if you held them together, see if the Clearview is
misshapen some how...

Here's how mine fits...

-Mike

With the OEM overtop of the Clearview (because of the vent) it is slightly shorter but comparable in all aspects except the headlight opening

[WintrSol]

It may be the photo isn't straight on, but the LED headlamp doesn't appear centered between the fork tubes, as the stock one does. Don't know how to do that without examining mine closely. It appears, also, that the opening to brackets is the same on each side.

[h13man]

Get a caliper and measure the hole edge to the shield edge for hole being drilled in the right location. You're talking about a 12mm difference.

[Chrisj CMA]

I think you’re right about not having much adjustment in any of the mountings for the shield or the headlight bucket. However, there is a little wiggle room. Loosen up everything including the chrome strips and shift everything to the left as far as it can and the bucket to the right as far as it can go and I think you will have a livable situation.

[WintrSol]

So, did you swap out the headlamp and shield at the same time? If so, put the original shield back on, and check its clearance.

[yelovalk]

So, did you swap out the headlamp and shield at the same time? If so, put the original shield back on, and check its clearance.

The headlamp housing is original and has never been removed. The bulb itself is a Daymaker using the Valkyrie adapter by Josh Chambers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48cp45_h6Q

The LED light has been in place with the OEM windshield for 5 years.  Fit perfectly in the round opening.
The original Honda one enclosed the lamp on all sides. Clearview ones are open below the lamp.

[yelovalk]

It may be the photo isn't straight on, but the LED headlamp doesn't appear centered between the fork tubes, as the stock one does. Don't know how to do that without examining mine closely. It appears, also, that the opening to brackets is the same on each side.

I think it is the angle of the photos. I figured out how to attach them. Housing hasn't moved since mother Honda put her there and fit within the OE opening

[yelovalk]

To post photos, I use a site (postimage.org), and copy the link, like this:

Thank you for the help , I think I got picture posting figured out now

[yelovalk]

I think you’re right about not having much adjustment in any of the mountings for the shield or the headlight bucket. However, there is a little wiggle room. Loosen up everything including the chrome strips and shift everything to the left as far as it can and the bucket to the right as far as it can go and I think you will have a livable situation.

Thanks, I will try it again. The picture above is "after" shifting the hardware as much as the shield holes would allow. It fit worse when I originally bolted it up. I am hesitant to start "bending things to fit" if it is the shield. It all fit fine for the past 22 years

[Mopaw]

My Clearview fits perfectly, I don't suspect a manufacturing problem. I suspect that somewhere back in time the bike was dropped and the mount was bent. The reply from ChrisJ-CMA is what I would recommend. loosen and adjust.
Mopaw-CMA

[hubcapsc]

Your shield is worth nothing compared to the various brackets
that hold it on... careful before you decide to start bending the
brackets...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

Perhaps a mount hole or two in the shield can be augered out a bit (side to side or up and down) to get a fit.  Simple bit in a drill.  Small enough cut should be covered by hardware.

[Chrisj CMA]

Perhaps a mount hole or two in the shield can be augered out a bit (side to side or up and down) to get a fit.  Simple bit in a drill.  Small enough cut should be covered by hardware.

Ya. My memory is those holes in the glass are pretty big already. I’m surprised things can’t be aligned with no further modifications.

[WintrSol]

Out of curiosity, I measured from the inside edge of the opening to the bottom left mounting bolt, and got ~5.5cm. If yours is more than this, the shield must have been mis-drilled by ClearView.

[yelovalk]

My Clearview fits perfectly, I don't suspect a manufacturing problem. I suspect that somewhere back in time the bike was dropped and the mount was bent. The reply from ChrisJ-CMA is what I would recommend. loosen and adjust.
Mopaw-CMA

I would be tempted to agree with you but as I have owned it since new, I know it has not been crashed. Only 3 people have ever turned the throttle.  Last one to work on it was Big BF. Pretty certain that he would have pointed out any flaws.
Might you have a head on picture of yours that you would share?

[yelovalk]

Your shield is worth nothing compared to the various brackets
that hold it on... careful before you decide to start bending the
brackets...

-Mike

Agreed Mike, they are getting close to irreplaceable.
Just seems pretty odd that the original fit perfectly but everyone keeps blaming the brackets and not the possibility that the shield could be flawed somehow.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Your shield is worth nothing compared to the various brackets
that hold it on... careful before you decide to start bending the
brackets...

-Mike

Agreed Mike, they are getting close to irreplaceable.
Just seems pretty odd that the original fit perfectly but everyone keeps blaming the brackets and not the possibility that the shield could be flawed somehow.

It wouldn’t be too hard to remove the shield and lay it on the old one to compare the holes and cutouts.

[yelovalk]

Perhaps a mount hole or two in the shield can be augered out a bit (side to side or up and down) to get a fit.  Simple bit in a drill.  Small enough cut should be covered by hardware.

I fear that they would frown upon that as I am still trying to get them to warranty it ( plastic still on ). Haven't been able to get a call back from them all week sadly.

[baldo]

Perhaps a mount hole or two in the shield can be augered out a bit (side to side or up and down) to get a fit.  Simple bit in a drill.  Small enough cut should be covered by hardware.

I fear that they would frown upon that as I am still trying to get them to warranty it ( plastic still on ). Haven't been able to get a call back from them all week sadly.

That's strange. My contact is Craig, he's been nothing but stellar when I contacted them.

[yelovalk]

It wouldn’t be too hard to remove the shield and lay it on the old one to compare the holes and cutouts.
[/quote]

It wasn't. I posted pictures above a couple days ago. Honda original has a circular and wider headlight opening. The Clearview is narrower and open below the headlight. The holes for the brackets don't align exactly due to the curvature of the Clearview.

Wishin Honda still produced the originals. Few aftermarket things fit as well as the original equipment.

[Valker]

I own four ClearView shields. Three for my Valks and one for my BMW R80RT. All have been perfect.

[hubcapsc]

I'm sorry you're having trouble... in general I think Clearview shields
kick the butt of OEM shields... Clearview shields are way stiffer
and mine is over ten years old and isn't cloudy at all. It would probably
be better to crash through an OEM shield, though  ...

Once you figure out what the problem actually is (this thread makes me
think your Clearview shield is defective) you should be able to fit a
good Clearview shield on there. Some other manufacturers still offer
good shields with Valkyrie specific hardware...

-Mike

[rug_burn]

   Maybe the mounting brackets are bent a little.  the whole windshield is mounted on those two-   1.)  the one at the upper triple tree fork clamp, and 2.) the one attached to the lower triple tree.   the upper one, especially is bendable, and maybe needs to be re-adjusted, or bent back into shape... 
     Even if it's to accomodate a slightly imperfect windshield cutout, it's easier to bend it a little than send the whole windshield back...

[steveB (VRCC UK)]

Measured mine yesterday (its been on there for a few years) and it's 10mm off the headlamp on the r/h side and 7mm on the l/h so 1.5 off centre. Never noticed before but no sweat. I feel the Clearview is ok just slacken everything off and push and pull till you get reasonable gaps.

[yelovalk]

Thank you all for the tips and DM's. 
After a crazy amount of installing, fitting, removing, adjusting and refitting, She is finally where she needs to be. Seemed like a much bigger project for some of you and myself than for some others.
 Not saying that it was the difference in shields or a fluke, just happy to get it befitting a majestic Valkyrie.



The shield is bright and clear. Noticeably thicker than the original

[Jess from VA]

The shield is bright and clear. Noticeably thicker than the original

The original Honda shields are polycarbinate (with hard coating).

The Clearview (and most aftermarket) are acrylic (plastic) and always thicker than polycarb.

Acrylic scratches easier than polycarb, but scratches can be polished out (not on polycarb).

It is wise to keep one new microfiber cloth for only the shield (and nothing else), to minimize scratching.  And better to always clean up and down and side to side, but not in circles.