With or without windshield?

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 4:37 pm

I've been monkeying around with the shield that came with my Rockster. It was a pretty tall shield that I cut about three inches off soon as I got it. Here's a couple shots of after cutting it off:

I used it at that height on the last tour I went on, but that's too tall. I can tuck behind it even with the tank bag and get a still pocket, but when upright I had some headslapping going on at higher speeds. Just enough that it's tiring on a long trip. So, I've trimmed it even more, left it same height in center but rounded off the sides to relieve some of that side pressure. Just did that, so I'll have to see how it feels next time I take a ride... it's raining now...

Post by **OU812** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:12 pm

Ves, was your screen on the bike when I tried it?

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:43 pm

OU812 wrote:Ves, was your screen on the bike when I tried it?

Yeah, it was.

telson · Post by **telson** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:01 am

fnfalman wrote:Why ride a naked bike with wind shield? Call me silly but I've taken the Rock on long trips before with no wind screen of any sort. It makes you feel alive when the wind whipping at your body at 110-MPH or so.

Sorry ladies and gents, but I must fully agree with this... may just be my body size (I am definately NOT 6'2") but when I got my Rockster I got it for the naked looks (I this they call it "urban" nowdays)

So what if it gets a bit windy after 70-80mph...? I still think that the bike looks nicer without a windscreen. On the other hand maybe there isn't one on the market that really "fits"

Having seen riceburner's bike, I must admit that his screen is one of the cooler ones...no way though I would have gotten myself into such trouble to fabricate something similar.

Post by **OU812** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 5:38 am

Ves wrote:
OU812 wrote:Ves, was your screen on the bike when I tried it?
Yeah, it was.

I guess I am so short to see the instrument cluster(over your tank bag), did not notice the screen either.

hydra · Post by **hydra** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:05 pm

Ves wrote:I've been monkeying around with the shield that came with my Rockster. It was a pretty tall shield that I cut about three inches off soon as I got it. Here's a couple shots of after cutting it off:

I used it at that height on the last tour I went on, but that's too tall. I can tuck behind it even with the tank bag and get a still pocket, but when upright I had some headslapping going on at higher speeds. Just enough that it's tiring on a long trip. So, I've trimmed it even more, left it same height in center but rounded off the sides to relieve some of that side pressure. Just did that, so I'll have to see how it feels next time I take a ride... it's raining now...

hello Ves,

what did you use to trim your shield? it looks great and functional. i'm 5'8" and getting a lot of blast. i'm researching some sport shields for my newly acquired rockster.

can you give us an update on your shield since you've trimmed it down more?

RBrider · Post by **RBrider** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:34 am

Here's mine. It's the smallest one Parabellum makes.

I think it's called the "Cafe" ?

At first I just put it on for trips and cold/wet weather(takes about 5 minutes once the hardware is installed & adjusted), but since I've gotten used to it, it stays on full time.

Just for reference, I'm 5'10".

RB

hydra · Post by **hydra** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:18 pm

i just picked up a wunderlich "trimm" windscreen. it's the smallest one they make. i'm loving it so far. it takes the blast off me and it's quite adjustable. i'm still fine tuning the adjustment for me. i'm 5' 8" and i've got it adjusted where the wind is blowing just at my forehead (i think). i know that my highway riding is much easier to deal with.

i agree with others about keeping the naked bike look, but i think this screen retains the stripped down look, but i'll compromise a bit for more comfort on the highway.

i got mine from santa cruz bmw and you can order by the part # 8110350.
http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/main.html

+10 on riceburner's shield!

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:41 am

hello Ves,

what did you use to trim your shield? it looks great and functional. i'm 5'8" and getting a lot of blast. i'm researching some sport shields for my newly acquired rockster.

can you give us an update on your shield since you've trimmed it down more?

Well, I'm still on the fence about it. Right now I've got it the way it's shown in the last photos. It's definitely improved in that I'm not getting the head slapping any more. The wind is hitting me just above shoulder level. But, lately I've just been riding without it over the summer. I'll probably put it back on for the last few rides before winter.

As for how I did it...
1. Took clear packaging tape and put it over the approximate area where I want to cut it.
2. I took a permanent marker, attached to a string, to make a compass.
3. Found the low center point on the screen.
4. Decided how long I wanted the string so that the marker would put a line in the right spot as a moved it across the taped area. I did a few dry runs back and fourth to make sure I was actually on center.
5. Draw the line.
6. Get a fine hack saw blade (just the blade, without a holder) and start sawing.
7. When I was done I ran the edge on a grinding wheel (could sand it too) to get it smooth.

There... easy... right?