Hey everyone, I just bought a HD detachable windshield, standard height off of ebay. It is about an inch to high for me seeing that I am only 5'1. Is there anyway to trim the windshield??? and How would I do that?
thanks.

Jig saw, then belt sander to smooth out the edges. Cover the shield with contact paper before starting to trim, and draw out the line where you plan on cutting first. It's not too bad.

--Chris

if you don't want to do it yourself, you could probably find a glass-cutter or windshield shop that would do it for you...

"Measure twice, cut once." Use masking tape to experiment with where you'll cut. Apply a line of tape, then go for a ride. You only need to see about fifty feet ahead when looking overtop. Anything less could end up too short.
Unless you're really handy with tools, forget about DIY--windshields are expensive and you can ruin one very quickly and easily if you don't know what you're doing. The local dealership outsources these trim jobs. It ain't cheap, but it's worth it to end up with a good job.

Hey everyone, I just bought a HD detachable windshield, standard height off of ebay. It is about an inch to high for me seeing that I am only 5'1. Is there anyway to trim the windshield??? and How would I do that?
thanks.

Sandy, Think about this? Its only 1 inch. Why take a chance on ruining a good W/S. there must be some adjustment in the mounting brackets? Look at it real good
Jim:tour

you could move the mounting brackets as far down on the froks as you can, and see if that helps.

I know you don't want to hear this option, but you can buy a compact lexan sheld rebuiild kit for $109 from Chicago Harley. It comes with the lexan, double sided tape, and rubber grommets. I don't know what the Part# is but you can get that from any dealer. List is $124.99 if I remember correctly. The rebulid is easy with the existing hardware that is on your present shield.

This suggestion may be laughable, haven't finished my coffee yet so not fully awake...How about getting a beaded seat cover. Easy on and off. Will raise you up at least a half inch, and add great circulation for those hot summer rides. That plus a tweak in the mounting bracket position just might do the trick.

I know you don't want to hear this option, but you can buy a compact lexan sheld rebuiild kit for $109 from Chicago Harley. It comes with the lexan, double sided tape, and rubber grommets. I don't know what the Part# is but you can get that from any dealer. List is $124.99 if I remember correctly. The rebulid is easy with the existing hardware that is on your present shield.
I second this sentiment. Of course, it negates the savings on the eBay windshield, but it's an easy solution.

--Chris

I would move the windshield down as much as possible. If the cutout for the headlight hits the headlight cut this section rather than the top of the windshield out. This will help cut down on wind coming up from under the windshield.

I lowered mine by taking 1/2" out of cut-out for headlight eybrow and lowering the mount to the lower tree. That's only 1/2", but I like it a lot better. That's about all I could figure to get without cutting the top edge. Best of luck. :tour

The case with MY HD 'compact' quick release windshield is that NO adjustment is possible. Putting the clamps as low as possible, eg. below the lower triple clamp puts you in jeopardy of coming to grief when the front suspension bottoms out on a bump: THUD !! End of windshield or worse.
The clamps on this windshield 'just' fit between the fork clamps. There's nowheres else to go. Study the pitcher in the HD catalog or website. If it's too tall, then trimming it is the only option. I trimmed 1-1/2" off mine. Now it keeps the wind off my chest and the top of my head, but I get A LOT of
wind blasting up from below. I'm at an impasse at the moment. Got any ideas? But the height is perfect for me.

i took the bottom clamp bolts off. i slid the top clamps down till i had a good line of sight.marked the bottem to line up with the clamp and took it to the machine shop to drill.now i can adjust it up or down. i don`t know what to do with the two old holes yet.

i don`t know what to do with the two old holes yet.

Push pins... or better yet mount a set of Lamps! :banana

This past winter I finally broke my cherry for windshield cutting. I did it on a relatively rare, and QUITE EXPENSIVE NEW (but I'd bought it used for less) Moto Guzzi touring windshield. I wound up taking a couple of inches off the top AND trimming the headlight opening in order to accomodate a different mounting angle (which was necessary because of a custom tachometer mount).

Anyway, for the record, I'm a putz with a jigsaw and even worse with a hammer (my wife, daughter of a carpenter does all the hammering in our house, unless I'm using a nail gun). Anyway, that said, I learned that windshield trimming is a PIECE OF CAKE!

A jigsaw with a plastic blade.

Use masking tape over the cutting area to draw out your line on and to give the saw a place to rest.

Try not to stop the saw, making it one smooth cut.

Then KEEP THE windshield covered with masking tape as you hand sand down the edges to a smooth finish.

DO NOT try sanding without tape in place, because the slightest slip will put marks in the clear windshield surface.

But honestly, it was pretty darn easy!!!

Kev

I had the same prob on mine, cos I'm a shortarse, so I marked off with a marker pen where it needed cutting, took it off and set it onto a soft surface; ( the wife's poufee cushion) using a fine bladed hacksaw with the blade set at right angles to the frame, I cut it out, then cleaned up with a smooth file on the edges, no problems. Took me about 20-30mins.

I've cut one with a 4 and a half inch grinder, mainly because that's what i had to work with. It worked great, like alot other's have said it's not that hard. Just take your time laying it out and cutting. Good luck!

Memphis Shades makes replacement shields that fit with existing hardware in different heights. I think they're around $80.00. Anybody tried one of these?

I baught a new pair of rear shocks 2 in. longer and that did the trick for me.It also made the bike quicker stearing and a lot more comftrable.

I have an 04 roadster. My HD windshield has the quick release clamps that come off clean - no brackets permanently mounted to the fork. Anyways, if I position it with the lower clamps just below the triple tree, there is enough room so that the sliders don't hit it and it is 2" lower than normal. In order to do this, I had to cut out the headlight opening for more clearance.

This summer I got a Corbin seat which positions my butt about 1" or more higher, so now I usually put the windshield back in the stock (higher) location.

Good news is that now I can have a windshield that's full height (for longer trips, rain, etc.) or lowered 2" so that I can easily see over it, and I don't have to swap glass or anything, just clip it on where I want it.

I have an 04 roadster. My HD windshield has the quick release clamps that come off clean - no brackets permanently mounted to the fork. Anyways, if I position it with the lower clamps just below the triple tree, there is enough room so that the sliders don't hit it and it is 2" lower than normal. In order to do this, I had to cut out the headlight opening for more clearance.

This summer I got a Corbin seat which positions my butt about 1" or more higher, so now I usually put the windshield back in the stock (higher) location.

Good news is that now I can have a windshield that's full height (for longer trips, rain, etc.) or lowered 2" so that I can easily see over it, and I don't have to swap glass or anything, just clip it on where I want it.

Neat solution.

I assume that when it is in the upper position it doesn't allow too much wind between the bottom of the shield and the top of the headlight?

Also, word of caution, are you SURE the fork legs can't hit, if you bottom of the suspension? It would REALLY suck if it damaged the brackets or knocked it loose while riding.

Kev

I used a fine bladed hacksaw turned at right angles to clear the saw frame, supported the screen well and drew a line with a marker, cut it no probs, cleaned up with a file, now I can see over the bloomin' thing!:clap
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/1961littledave/DCP_1046.jpg

Neat solution.

I assume that when it is in the upper position it doesn't allow too much wind between the bottom of the shield and the top of the headlight?

Also, word of caution, are you SURE the fork legs can't hit, if you bottom of the suspension? It would REALLY suck if it damaged the brackets or knocked it loose while riding.

Kev

No noticeable wind through there, the speedo & tach are mounted right above the headlight eyebrow, so they would stop any direct incoming wind. I usually store a rolled up scarf & pair of warm gloves on top of the headlight there anyway so I wouldn't notice most of the time.