Needing an OEM windshield

[lskbike]

I just purchased a 1989 R100RT with low miles and have fallen in love... I do however need to know if anyone can advise where I can find and purchase an original height OEM windshield. It came with what looks like an OEM windshield but is much longer/higher than stock. I have a friend that sold one like mine a few years ago who stated that the one on my bike is not original and is much higher than the ones that came on the bike. It is so tall I must look through it. If I wanted to do that I would have bought a Gold Wing.

If there are no longer any sources for the OEM height windshield, would any very tall person out there wish to trade yours for mine?

Thanks!

LSKBike
Southeastern Indiana

[Ken in Oklahoma]

I just purchased a 1989 R100RT with low miles and have fallen in love... I do however need to know if anyone can advise where I can find and purchase an original height OEM windshield. It came with what looks like an OEM windshield but is much longer/higher than stock. I have a friend that sold one like mine a few years ago who stated that the one on my bike is not original and is much higher than the ones that came on the bike. It is so tall I must look through it. If I wanted to do that I would have bought a Gold Wing.

If there are no longer any sources for the OEM height windshield, would any very tall person out there wish to trade yours for mine?

Thanks!

LSKBike
Southeastern Indiana

Why not cut your tall windshield down to size, even with it on the bike? I would take a marker and mark the outline of the windshield where you can just look over it. Then mark the whole curve you want, using a sheet of thick paper folded in half as a pattern to keep things symmetrical.

I would then take a ride and look above the mark to get an idea if you are on the right track.

Then do the deed. Take a fine toothed hack saw blade with a duct tape handle and judiciously cut to the line you marked. (Be gentle and don't force things. You risk generating a crack.) Then, cut complete, use some coarse sandpaper, say 50 grit, to refine the shape.

You could take a test ride at that point, so you would want to have erred on the high side for the initial cut. When you have zero-ed in on the final height and shape you want, then you simply use finer and finer sandpaper to make the cut edge smooth. You could leave the edge a bit frosty or take it all the way to clear (which is what I would want to do). Brasso copper cleaner makes a pretty good final polish, though you could go to something even finer if you prefer.

Other people here may have their own pet ways of cutting the windshield down that are better than mine.

Editing: You might want to use a power sabre/jig saw to make the cut because it's so much easier. If you do that, then use a very fine toothed blade and run the speed very slow. Then you might be able to get away with it. (You really don't want to melt the plastic or have the blade catch.)

Ken

[sprints@pldi.net]

If you could send a photo and measure how tall it is I might be interested in buying it - mine is too short and in bad condition - Rod
sprints@pldi.net

[khittner1]

LSKbike----I think OEM 18" shields are still available from the dealer network. If not, Clearview makes nice replacements (somewhat thicker and less flex-y than the factory item) in a variety of heights, or they'll custom-cut one for you at whatever height you specify. About $200 -/+ any tint or vent option. I have one of their vented shields on my RT now, and it's fine. There are other aftermarket windshields available, too, in a variety of heights.

[Duane Ausherman]

Before cutting some plastics, it is a good idea to put tape on both sides of the intended cut. Cut slowly and keep it cool by stopping often.

[Jeff in W.C.]

I would cut above the line then use a cheese grater file to shape the curve to the line. It worked well on mine.

[lskbike]

FYI... After reading all... I do plan on cutting my current "tall" windshield down to OEM height.

Thanks everyone for your input.

This is a great forum!!!!

LSKBike

[Major Softie]

FYI... After reading all... I do plan on cutting my current "tall" windshield down to OEM height.

Thanks everyone for your input.

This is a great forum!!!!

LSKBike

Cover the entire area being cutoff with tape (as mentioned above), and try your cutting technique well above where your final cut will be. In this way you can get a feel for cutting the material before beginning your actual cut.