CUT DOWN WINDSHIELD

$ Ball · Fri 12, Feb 2010, 22:17:19

HOW DO I LOWER THE HIEGHT ON MY WINDSHIELD

HayHauler · Fri 12, Feb 2010, 22:22:47

You have to either buy a shorter one (as I have) or take yours off and cut it down carefully...

Hay

Jimmyt

ricoman · Sat 13, Feb 2010, 06:14:20

Cutting it to the desired height is a good option and you can do it.
Tape a piece of posterboard to the shield and scribe the radius of the stock shield on it with a marking pen.
Lower the posterboard so the top of radius mark is at the new height you want the windshield to be-(most go for about an inch below your line of sight).
Cover the tank etc. so everything isn't covered in plastic dust when you are done. This does blow off with an air hose though.
Trace the radius line onto the windshield. On the side you will be cutting from (front of shield), apply a wide strip of masking tape to be under where you will slide the saw.
Using a jigsaw (not too fine a blade, as it heats up too easy), cut the windshield following the marked line. (I have never seen this done with the windshield off the bike.)
Cut very slowly as the heat generated by the blade will cause the plastic to melt back together behind the cut if you go too fast. (This results in the use of language innapropriate for children to hear!)
Pay attention at the end of the cut and hold the cut piece so it doesn't fall when you get to the end of the cut.
The raggedy line on the windshield can be smoothed with an air grinder or coarse belt sander. The finish it off with a finer hand sanding.
Pay attention that you stay on the cut edge-you don't want surface marks on your "new" windshield.
I have only done two this way,but am very pleased with how they turned out.
The local dealer uses a hand router with a side cutting blade (like those used on formica) and I've wathed him do the whole thing in 20 minutes.

Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005 · Sat 13, Feb 2010, 07:49:17

This is a stock Hondaline Tourer windshield mounted inside a Hoppe Fairing. I cut 7 inches off it and it turned out perfect. Used a jig-saw and dressed it up with a file and sand paper. I did as Ricoman pointed out only I had my windshield off when I cut it.

$ Ball · Sat 13, Feb 2010, 20:23:24

THANKS , I 'M ON IT

Farther · Sun 14, Feb 2010, 12:50:01

I cut my stock Hondaline shield down 4", using a tag board pattern, blue painters tape, plexiglass blade in the jigsaw and 440 grit wet dry sandpaper in my palm sander. The shield was left mounted to provide support. It turned out way better than I thought it might. Look for the plexiglass blade for cutting curves. The blade I used was for straight cuts and I had to fight it somewhat to get around the curves. With the plexiglass blade you avoid excessive heat build-up and get a pretty smooth cut requiring only some miner touch-ups with a sander. If it has not already been stated, make several horizontal grease pencil marks on your shield below and above your expected shield height and ride around to see which mark works best for you. I should have cut my shield about 1/2" taller but it still works very good.

frangct · Sun 14, Feb 2010, 15:46:14

Hello from Spain (Europe).

In my valkyrie I cut the windshield with an electric saw. It was simple and very satisfying result for me.

Valkyrie photos before and after that you may see differences.