Windshield Height

[salty1]

I'm considering buying a Memphis "Fats" windshield, but what height should it be? I like the top of the shield to be at the same elevation as the end of my nose. I'm 5'10" with an inseam of 31". The install would go on a 98 STD with a stock seat. Thanks for any input.  

[GOOSE]

salty1....The stock height is 21 1/2 inches.  If I were to guess at 5 ft 10, I would say 19 inches with a memphis shades "fats" with the 9 inch headlight cutout.

[WDAN]

You are about right on your preferred height. I am your same size and I have had three Memphis Fat shields cut down to where, sitting up straight on bike, I can just see over the top.
A lot of guys cut their own windshields down to size but I don't trust myself.
There is a plastic shop in Dallas that I use. The fellow who runs the shop has been making custom shields and cutting down shields for a long time and he is cheap and good.
Maybe there is someone in your area who does this.

[salty1]

WDAN thanks for the response.  What is the distance from the top of the cutout on your shield that you can see over to the top of the shield? I assume we're about the same height.

GOOSE thanks for the input, I was thinking 19" also. I ride with an OEM shield on my 97 STD and it's stock height, I barley see over the top of that. I think the Memphis probably will be more erect than the stock shield (when mounted) so I can go with a shorter shield than the stock shield. Does all that make sense? 

[WDAN]

Salty,

My shield, after I had it cut to suit, measures 13-3/4" from top of shield to center of cutout.
Hope that helps.

[CASABROKER]

make sure your looking over the top when in normal riding position.  Meaning, in my opinion about 4 to 6 inches.  Don't worry the wind will go right over the top of you.  You definitely don't want to look through the windshield to see the road

[BnB Tom]

When you are measuring how much to cut so you can see over, make sure you are sitting in your normal riding position..      do you sit up straight or do you slump a little (like me).  That can make a 1 - 2 inch difference.

[MarkT]

A windshield that's too high can be effectively reduced in height by tipping it.  There are a lot of advantages to tipping, including it's variable, reversible, is easy to implement without danger of ruining your shield, casts the chrome reflection below, is more steamlined resulting in better penetration especially at speed, results in less turbulence, even looks better.  I have tipped Rifle and OEM shields but haven't tipped all brands so haven't adopted the idea to all brands of mounting hardware - but I'd bet it wouldn't be rocket science to come up with a method for any brand if the measurements or details differ.  I wrote up the method on my tech tips but it hardly needs instructions it's so easy.  http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Windshield_Tipping/windshield_tipping.html

Here's my Rifle shield, tipped & photographed in '99.

[Farther]

Tip the shield before you cut it.  Mine could be a couple of inches higher after tipped. 

[salty1]

Just wanted to thank all that gave me input on selecting the right height for my new windshield. I purchased a 19" MS as shown below and it fits me perfectly. I'm 5' 10" and clearly see over the top of the shield. The top of the shield is at the same elevation as the end of my nose.    By the way, I have an Airhawk as you can see and that probably elevates me slightly in the seat.