If you have cut down your stock windshield.....?

[BadNews]

If you have cut down your stock windshield, would you kindly post up a picture of it? I have cut mine down to this:

As you can see it is about an inch above the top fastening screw, and I still cannot get "clean" air to my helmet. When I completely remove the windshield, I get clean air, even with my GPS and Madstad bracket sticking up, but unfortunately I get more air to my body than I want for cold weather riding. As far down as I have cut this screen, I have concluded that it is not the height of the screen but the shape of it that creates the buffeting. (And when I say buffeting I mean the kind that makes things in the distance look blurry and knocks your teeth together.) So I am debating between cutting a dip into the top thusly (along the bottom line of the clamped on bit):

or cutting the side wings off the shield, and I was wondering what others have done and found to be effective.
(Also debating whether to try the winglets.)
I'm not looking for a "bubble" of calm air, I just like my helmet to be in the air and getting clean air like when there is no screen, but for cold or very hot dry weather, reduced air to my shoulders on down.
I hate looking through a screen or even having it just below my line of sight, so I'm not looking for a barn door or tall screen solution. I tried a V-Stream mid size and it just doesn't work for me. (May be for sale or trade for a Parabellum soon. <<Edit: Now listed in For Sale Section>> I was thinking maybe the smooth curve of the Parabellum along with the added width, and then cut down to the right height may work).
Also, FYI, I am 6'2" with 34" inseam (rather short torso) and seat is in the high position.
What have you got? and thanks in advance for sharing.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Try taping something together to block air flow through the hole the forks come up through. A couple Florida guys did it and said it smoothed the flow for them.

 

[OX-34]

I've posted a pic of my custom checkerplate screen many times on here. I think it is funny.

Like you BadNews, I found NO SCREEN to be the best. Unfortunately the back of the clocks and the screenstay/uprights (mine's a 2010) means that a shorty screen is still probably required.

Mine just clears the top of the uprights. I don't have the buffeting that features in about 20 or so "Need help with screen" threads on here. It has served me well on 2 bikes for maybe 70K miles of almost exclusively long distance days.





Anyway, you asked "What have you got?" so here it is again:



I don't see that view of course. I see this one:

 

[Kurgan]

I'm not looking for a "bubble" of calm air, I just like my helmet to be in the air and getting clean air like when there is no screen, but for cold or very hot dry weather, reduced air to my shoulders on down.
I hate looking through a screen or even having it just below my line of sight, so I'm not looking for a barn door or tall screen solution. I tried a V-Stream mid size and it just doesn't work for me. (May be for sale or trade for a Parabellum soon. I was thinking maybe the smooth curve of the Parabellum along with the added width, and then cut down to the right height may work).
Also, FYI, I am 6'2" with 34" inseam (rather short torso) and seat is in the high position.
What have you got? and thanks in advance for sharing.

At 6'2" and seat on high position, you absolutely need the tall Vstream (N20306) and I can tell you it works well for me at 6'4" with my seat in the low position and the screen mounted in the low position with the stock bracket.

My wife has the medium Vstream (N20305) that you bought (she's 5'10") and that works for her.

If you contact Parabellum, they are going to recommend their extra tall model, which is even taller than the Vstream I'm running.

 

[OX-34]

.......you absolutely need the tall Vstream .....

No he doesn't.

 

[BadNews]

@OX-34: actually I have seen your pics, that is an awesome setup, by the way! I had already decided that if I can't get any joy from this stock screen modification, I would try something like you have. I don't know if I can work aluminum as you have, I was thinking maybe get a heavy duty mud flap like an 18 wheeler uses and cut it down to size. Should be easy to curve into shape. What is your height/inseam/seat position and where does the wind hit you?

@Kurgan: I've ridden with the medium V-Stream for about 300 miles to give it a fair shot. Even in the low position the top of the screen interferes with my line of sight, especially in our hilly eastern Ohio area. I like a clear view of the road ahead without having the top of the screen dipping up and down in my line of sight. And I definitely don't want to look through the screen. Weird thing about the V-Stream is even when I duck my head down well below the top of the screen I still get turbulence, there is not even a "pocket" of still air (not that I'm looking for a pocket anyway). I've compared rides back to back on a windy day with the V-Stream on and off, all I can say is "No thanks!"

@CW: I may try using some duct tape temporarily as an experiment to block off the fork area, one never knows until one tries!

I stayed up late last night cutting down a bit more as I posted above, I now have this:


Today is test day. I'm going to try this with and without mirrors/tank bag/duct tape, etc. to see if I can isolate the source of the turbulence. But after reading on the CalSci web site his article about "fairings", and examining the stock wind screen and seeing that it in no way resembles a "fairing" I am not optimistic. But testing will tell the story for me. I'll post up tonight what I find out.

Thanks to all for the input.

 

[OX-34]

My 'screen' is just 3mm aluminium checkerplate. Plain plate would be fine, I just happened to have some checkerplate in the shed.

My initial trial of the cut-off screen was just some cardboard attached with the OEM screws to keep bugs and dirt off the back of the clocks while I was out testing lights one night. I noticed that all of the buffeting had gone away. Once back to the shed I drew rough plan from the cardboard onto the checkerplate, cut it out with a jig saw and filed the edges a bit. I have no special metal skills at all. To get the curve I bent the plate with my knee, thigh and belted it with a rubber mallet.

The edging is from car door trimming material to soften the blow if I happen to guillotine myself hitting a kangaroo or something. The screen just uses the stock rubber wellnuts so will be ripped off like a stock screen if my body does go flying forward at 100.



As an aside, I have not used any of the dash in-fills that riders here have installed but they may well help in reducing the upflow of air past the forks.

 

[BadNews]

I spent about 4 hours today testing various configurations. It was a fairly windy day, testing was conducted on a nearby stretch of divided four lane with light traffic. In spite of the wind, I was able to discover a few things:
1) The screen as I have cut it down will do *for now*, I was not displeased with the air flow, it wasn't as smooth as no screen, but I want to confirm that on a calmer day. If it is not any better on a calm day, I am going to emulate OX-34's setup.
2) My Givi 3D603 tanklock tank bag had no effect on airflow.
3) Removing the mirrors I <<think>> made a <<slight>> difference, again I will have to wait for a calmer day to tell for sure. I don't like riding without mirrors, though, so I may not test that any further.
4 I didn't have time to block off the fork area, that will be next on my list.

My 'screen' is just 3mm aluminium checkerplate. Plain plate would be fine, I just happened to have some checkerplate in the shed.

My initial trial of the cut-off screen was just some cardboard attached with the OEM screws to keep bugs and dirt off the back of the clocks while I was out testing lights one night. I noticed that all of the buffeting had gone away. Once back to the shed I drew rough plan from the cardboard onto the checkerplate, cut it out with a jig saw and filed the edges a bit. I have no special metal skills at all. To get the curve I bent the plate with my knee, thigh and belted it with a rubber mallet.

The edging is from car door trimming material to soften the blow if I happen to guillotine myself hitting a kangaroo or something. The screen just uses the stock rubber wellnuts so will be ripped off like a stock screen if my body does go flying forward at 100.

Thanks for describing your process, I believe I could do that! I rather like the fact that your GPS over the instrument panel is down low behind your screen. I may remove my Madstad bracket and fabricate the screen and a lower bracket all at the same time if I decide my current setup is unsatisfactory.

Just a note about the checkerplate, that grid on the surface may be contributing to smoother airflow. Those raised surfaces can serve to create a bunch of 'mini-vortices' that would not be detectable and would prevent the bigger vortices that a smooth surface would produce. Maybe. Just a theory. See my thread about this on the FJR forum:
http://www.fjrowners.com/forums/10-fjr-farkling-ii/63490-oem-screen-sacrificed-aerodynamics-experiment.html

More testing to come, just need to wait for a calmer day.

 

[Checkswrecks]

When I've played with screen heights a couple of times, I've found it cheap and quick to use corrugated plastic, like used in political yard signs. You could even try rigging up a spoiler or two:
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=18184.0


There ought to be a few million of those political yard signs available in about two weeks.

 

[BadNews]

Had a calm air day today, so I headed over to the divided four lane for a final test. Mirrors and tank bag installed along with cut down windscreen as shown in post above. Results: not good at highway speeds (55+ mph). I was almost ready to live with it until I stood up near the end of the ride and discovered once again the quiet smoothness that exists only a short distance above my helmet. I went home and removed the screen again for a comparison ride. Quiet smoothness restored.

However, since it was fairly cool (low 50's), with no screen I could feel where the air was hitting me quite well. Along with the sides of my torso and shoulders, I was surprised to feel the tops of my thighs cooling off! I guess I didn't notice I was getting air there when the temperatures were warmer. Anyway, no screen results in too much cooling when the temperatures are low. I like riding in cool/cold weather better than the heat/humidity of summer.

I'm going to try one more screen, the Calsci Shorty, ordered. If that doesn't work, then I'll try OX-34's solution and get some heated gear.

Mid-size V-Stream listed in For Sale section.

 

[Phil354]

I had the exact same problem with the stock windshield. I cut mine down about 5-4 inches and it still didn't help. I installed a madstad bracket, and that only helped a bit.

What I finally ended up with is using the madstad, but I look off the crossbar and leaned the screen back far enough to put the screw knob bolts through the crossbar holes and the slots. This tilts the screen back far enough to knock the wind pressure off, but there is little to no turbulence.

I'm away from home now, but when I get back next week I'll post pics.

 

[BadNews]

Sounds interesting, looking forward to seeing the pics. Your experience would seem to corroborate Ace50's post above about sport bike air flow.

 

[Xfool]

Drill a second set of holes to mount the screen lower.
High when you want it, lower when you need it out of the way.
More info here: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?action=post;quote=266318;topic=3401.45;last_msg=266689

 

[BadNews]

I received the CalSci shorty screen late last Tuesday, mounted it up Tuesday night. (no pics, you can see one on their website). Wednesday was another windy day, but I went out for a test ride anyway and there was a noticeable difference. However, windy days aren't really good for testing, so I tested again Friday (somewhat calmer).

The air coming off the CalSci screen is most definitely smoother! I wound up leaning the Madstad all the way back and up about an inch. Of course, you will get turbulence with any crosswinds, winds coming from any front quarter, or following most any SUV/truck. But this screen did smooth out the air in all those situations way better than the stock screen for me.

I think I can live with this setup for now, I'll find out tomorrow as I am leaving for a 4-5 hour ride into southern Indiana to visit family for a couple of days.

Further observations/pontification:
This CalSci Shorty screen may work well for me for winter riding. Even with the Madstad set all the way down, the air stream just hit the top of my helmet, giving me protection from about the forehead area on down. This is more wind blocking than I want for summer riding, however, so OX-34's solution is definitely still on the table for me.

 

[Phil354]

Here are the pics I promised... I hope this works. If not, I'll try again when I have a different comp available.

 

[Phil354]

Not sure why the two pics of the madstad are sideways. Oh well.

 

[BadNews]

@Phil- thx for posting up the pictures. That last one looks like a very low angle. Mine has my GPS mounted to my crossbar, however, so I would have to find a way to remount the GPS. The crossbar could be remounted in the (now empty) curved angle slots, I suppose, but I don't know how sturdy that would be. If I did that it would remove most of the up/down sliding adjustment.

 

[BadNews]

Back from Indiana, just under 500 miles round trip. The Calsci Shorty is a big improvement.

I spent about one hour fifteen minutes on the Interstate on the way back at speeds of 77-78 mph indicated on the GPS. I didn't expect all turbulence to be gone, and it wasn't (see Reply #14 above)(and remember, I'm not looking for a pocket of calm air). What was completely gone was the type of turbulence that blurs my long distance vision. I could see clearly into the distance and was able to read road signs far away, something I could not do with the stock screen. I am sold on the Calsci screen.

@Xfool: Drilling an extra set of mounting holes in my Calsci Shorty may just be the ticket for summer riding! I could drop it down another 3.5" for the summer.

Thanks to all for your inputs. I will likely post up again next time I make any adjustments/changes that are beneficial, but it may be next summer. More to come!

 

[AVGeek]

Not sure why the two pics of the madstad are sideways. Oh well.

Thanks to auto-rotating smart phones, digital photos now have a tag in the metadata to indicate picture orientation. I usually take a look at my pics in a photo editor to see what the tag is; most current apps have the ability to rotate easily, which usually changes the metadata tag.

 

[Phil354]

I should point out, that even though during the hotter months here I ride with the slanted back, cut down stock shield, I also have a 23" Parabellum shield that is not too bad with the stock mount for cooler temps. I managed an 1800mile trip around CO this summer with it, and didn't complain too much.