Tall Windscreen Mod ... ?

[Bagger]

Even at 6'2" I think the Honda Tall Windshield is a bit too TALL.  I contacted Cee Bailey's and they won't be doing much until Fall for a different option on the Valkyrie.  If then.

I was out for a 90 minute 'round the block ride today and started thinking how I may modify this OEM windshield to make it lower.  I do like the reduction in wind noise in my helmet and the reduced torso pressure.  But, it's toooo tall ....

I've cut Harley windshields in the 90s with a jig saw, taping off the polycarbonate / plastic and drawing on the tape.  Then cutting portions off with a new blade, rounding the edges with a file.  Worked pretty fine even 'free style'.

But, looking at the Valkyrie windscreen and it's mounting bracket, I think I could make a 1.5" slotted bracket of some sort for the lower windscreen to bracket that will allow me to rotate the windscreen forward from the bottom mount.  The top mount can be loosened as well and allow the rotation.  And, it would be adjustable to a degree with it being slotted instead of 2 drilled holes.

This can drop the top edge of the windscreen maybe 2".  I'll have to mock I up to see how this will work.  The rotation would be back toward the rider.

This will accomplish a couple things.  1st it will lower the windshield so I'm always looking over it.  2nd it is easily reversible without any major modification of the brackets/windscreen if I don't like it.  And, 3rd ... it will allow the windscreen angle to match the front forks instead of angling forward.

I  took off the rear red reflector bracket.  I think I can cut, grind and paint a piece of each side to accomplish what I'm thinking about.  If it works, I can have a piece of billet made and powder coated.

Anyone want to chime in with an opinion or suggestion?  I'm all ears.   

[imrubicon]

The picture I have seen of the large screen is way too huge for me also as I like to look over my shields.
Also the heat down here would require I be able to remove durng the hot minths pretty easy.
Im waiting until fall to see where he aftermarket shields go as far as shorter and basically a clip on shield .

The pictures of the short screen just told me no it isnt going to happen.
The price tag of the tall said I dont want to buy it and then hack it 
looks like I will be waiting a little while

[Bagger]

I've been riding the last 3-4 days in 90+ degree heat with dew points in the 70s wearing a 3/4 helmet/face shield, Motoport Kevlar jacket, jeans, boots.

Yeah, it's hot riding the Valkyrie in these conditions ... even when moving.  But, it's not unbearable.  Of course, this is not FLA, or the sourth eastern USA in summer either.  It's New England.

I just measured the TALL windscreen. It measures 21" tall from the top of the headlight nacelle, 25" wide at the bottom and ~14" wide at the top.

I'd like to see it about 18" tall and I may get that with a modification.  And, I wasn't talking about "hacking" up the windscreen.  I've done this before and it came out really nice.  It's not hard to do.  But, maybe just adding a bracket to the lower attachment will work without cutting the plastic.

[Dave Ritsema]

I think the first thing I would do would be to change tha angle on the windshield. When we were looking at a Valkyrie at InZane Des and I both thought that it looked odd to be at a different rake than the forks. I think thats a great idea, go for it!

[Bagger]

I think the first thing I would do would be to change tha angle on the windshield. When we were looking at a Valkyrie at InZane Des and I both thought that it looked odd to be at a different rake than the forks. I think thats a great idea, go for it!

Thanx, Dave ... I agree with you.  This would preserve the windscreen's shape and accomplish both changing the rake and reducing the height without cutting the shield.

Since it's going to rain it's butt off tomorrow, I'll try to mock it up and make an initial metal bracket of some sort.  I'm not all that mechanical, tho.

Wish I could show some photos, but I'm 'challenged' ... even tho my membership is #102.  I can't figure it out today, but once did. 

[Dave Ritsema]

Bagger, you can email me the photos and I can post em for you. 

[Bagger]

Bagger, you can email me the photos and I can post em for you. 

Roger that, Dave ... but, I'll try to figure this out this weekend.  Otherwise, I'll toss some toward you. 

[Bagger]

OK ... since it's raining here in New England, I decided to try my rear reflector bracket mod to change the rake and height of the TALL windscreen.

Now, I'm not very mechanical with my tools from China, but with a hack saw, flat file, a Sears angled drill with a carbide flame bit ... it worked.

It's pretty primitive, and I'll need to get a better bolt to bolt the bracket to the windshield bracket, but it was petty simple.  I just cut the rear reflector bracket where the slotted area was, opened the slot with the grinder, rounded the edges and viola! 

The rake is now parallel with the front lower legs, which looks better IMO than pitched forward.

The position in the photos is at full rearward, but it is adjustable to some degree.  This position also opens up the area between the nacelle and the bottom of the windscreen, which may allow more air flow to the torso in hot weather.

I'll test it out tomorrow when the weather is much better than today.  I'll be able to see if I can look over the screen better, and see how this rake effects wind protection / venting.

There may be too many photos, but I'll try to post them.

[Dave Ritsema]

Looking good and I cannot imagine why Honda didn't do this in the first place.
Let us know how it works out.

Great work!

[Bagger]

Thanx, Dave ... but, been thinking about it.  I think the bracket needs to be an "L" shaped deal with the short leg facing the ground and forward.  The slot should run the length of the long leg and down the short leg.

Some sort of geometry or such would allow the shield to be moved rearward without much upward pitch.  An upside down smile curve would work better I think.  But, much more difficult to create by hand.  I'll have to think about it.

But, I'd have to mock this up.  I sometimes think things half a$$ed thru ... then have to modify the modification.   

I'll check out the ride tomorrow and report back. 

I may have to get some 1/4" aluminum plate and cut something out after the mock up.  I'm sure someone out there is much smarter and more clever than me ... and can come up with a better answer.  When more shields are sold, and more Valks sold ... we will get better results.  I am sure of this.

[Bagger]

Weather was much better than yesterday's cool and rainy 4th of July.
Sunny and warm, but very windy.  It was only 78*-80* and speeds were 35 in congested traffic at the shore, and back roads were 55-60 mph with a short stint on the slab of 75ish.  125 miles all told with the newly raked windshield.

I took the Valkyrie out with the modified bracket on the windscreen wearing the same/same helmet, jacket, jeans, boots, gloves.  I've gotta tell you, I like this mod!  I see over the windshield all the time just where I like my sight line.  I'd guess the new rake takes 2-3 inches off the oem height.

Plus, there are some nice perks associated with this modified bracket position.  There is now about 3" of opening between the nacelle and the bottom of the screen ... this brings in some wanted ventilation to the torso and upper chest/head regions.  And, the rake also moves air back from the sides of the screen to my hands and arms.  This is nice.  Also, there is no additional wind noise or buffeting from this new position either.  All is good!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think your mod makes the lines of the shield MUCH better

[Bagger]

I think your mod makes the lines of the shield MUCH better

I agree.  The clear shield doesn't photograph well, but in person, it looks MUCH better indeed.  And, works better, too.

[wobray]

Nice idea and modification.
MY.... problem with the accessories for this wonderful bike is that they are CHEESY !!!!!
A windscreen that attaches to the bars???
The windscreen does not look like it even belongs to the bike, IMHO.
And the bags? How much time and thought were put into that ugly, misplaced attempt ?
Well, the after market folks are salivating and working feverishly to supply us with nice looking, functional accessories.
I'll WAIT !!!!

[Bagger]

Nice idea and modification.
MY.... problem with the accessories for this wonderful bike is the CHEESY accessories.
A windscreen that attaches to the bars???
The windscreen does not look like it even belongs to the bike, IMHO.
And the bags? How much time and thought were put into that ugly, misplaced thought?
Well, the after market folks are salivating and working feverishly to supply us with nice looking, functional accessories.
I'll WAIT !!!!

I totally agree with you , m'friend.

Looks like Honda just played 'round with the Tupperware and did not think about .... "what else needs to be addressed". 

The windscreen works well the way I've modified it.  I like the way it works, but 'looks' is another thing as you've addressed. 

Yeah, the brackets hooking this thing to the bars is ridiculous. 

Accessories are few and far between ... and most are crappy IMO.  The bags are all wrong for this style of bike, too. 

I'm with you, m'friend ... the aftermarket folks will eventually step up and make some good things for this bike.  What I'm concerned with is that the New Valkyrie may be just another red headed step child of a bike.  Out for a couple years and then it disappears.  Like the Old Valkyrie did.  Honda does this from time to time.

Let's see what comes out in the spring from Honda and the aftermarket folks.  And, I wonder how well the Valkyrie is selling, and the F6B, too??