Poll: Windshield, flyscreen or none of the above?!

Hey Dean, got those brackets today...wow...fast!
They seem pretty sturdy as well.
I will get postage $ in the mail in the morning.

Thanks again,
Smitty

Smitty,

That's crazy, Sat. at about noon I put those in the mail, at a grocery store even, and you get them Monday.

The ol' USPS travels fast over these midwestern plains. Best of luck on the job. Make sure you post some pix when done.

USPS is actually quite good for most smaller stuff, and if recipient is even reasonably close it is overnight. Just be wary of their "fancy" or "overnight" type services. All classes of mail ride the same trucks and planes as the fancy stuff, they just have different names on the bags. Confused

I live in southwestern BFE, and if I wanted to ship the PazBox FedEx it would require a 45 mile trip to Branson and cost $20 which is ridiculous. USPS is right next door (by rural reckoning), They have all the packaging material on-site, and I can get one to Portland for $7.70, Chicago is $5.70. Cheap and fast. It's a no-brainer, plus Mary Ann worships the scoot! Razz

_________________
"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

After reading the results on the windshield, I'm wondering about the flyscreen. Do they really help quiet the wind noise? I'm not familiar with them, never having used one. Not sure what the main benefits would be.

I'd like something to cut down on the long distance wind exhaustion that'll quiet things down a little so I can enjoy the tunes with the scenery.

_________________
http://FistsOfCurryRally.com
...
If you love your scooter, let it go. If it comes back, you probably high-sided.

	Quote:
	Do they really help quiet the wind noise?

The flyscreen does a little, but not much. It's not a windshield by any means.

	Quote:
	I'd like something to cut down on the long distance wind exhaustion

That's what my flyscreen does best. It doesn't cut out all the wind, but it definitely takes a lot of it off your head and chest. And if I duck a little (maybe 3 inches) my head is totally out of the wind. Good for going uphill.

It also increases the aerodynamics of my bike... I have a faster top end and actually get better gas mileage. It's some weird voodoo scooter spookyness that I do not begin to fathom.

_________________
The "X" stands for ex-Chetak owner.

Pix,

A screen that basically fits between your mirrors (and is no higher than your nose) will not catch or push wind like a larger screen, and will be less prone to coming loose. On the sides, it will deflect wind around your arms/shoulders and it will deflect stuff away from your face, the wind will go right over the top of your helmet. It will create a quiet area for you to ride in and listen to tunes.

Most riders do not know how much energy on a long ride goes to holding yourself against the wind. Knowing that they are already 'holding on' it never occurs to them. On a short ride, you have energy to burn, so who in the hell is gonna notice? That's why I ride my 'getting ratty, but near skin-tight' leather jacket. Screw the visual effect, air slides right off it.

The other thing is viewing scenery while riding. Without a screen, when I turn my head far enough, the wind starts pushing on the helmet. Can't wait until I get my screen operable.

_________________
"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

Hey Paz,

So are you talking about a flyscreen or a low windshield? I think what you're describing would be perfect for me. It would be great to get that before VespaVinoVici.

_________________
http://FistsOfCurryRally.com
...
If you love your scooter, let it go. If it comes back, you probably high-sided.

I guess I was talking two things.

Any kind of windsreen will be aligned with the centerline of the scoot and begin to effect aerodynamics, good and bad, and regardless of size, wind will begin moving around you (rider centered on centerline). Pick the size you want, buyers discretion. You won't know what you like, or what works, well until you try one.

No matter what you get, the other choice is: do you want to look through a windshield or over it?

You can't pay me to look through a shield, and seeing thru one in the rain is impossible or insane. We all have several riding positions. More upright in the city where you need to watch the road surface right in front of you, full tuck sometimes as Matty said, the rest of the time (I hope) is that relaxed you can ride for hours pose, and even then you move around a bit. Except for full tuck, I want to look over.

Most screens you buy you cannot adjust the 'rake' or angle of attack, you can however, shorten them to adjust them to your body size. I'd suggest that you get some cardboard and tape, and fab something in the garage to get a feel for having that honker sitting in front of you.

_________________
"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

Smitty

Thanks for the extra --> and if by pint you mean 6-pack of Shiner Hefeweizen, then consider it done, Smile

Yeah, I would have gone for a sixer of tall boys myself. Here in p-town we have great beer...usually expensive...but great. You can either go out and buy a pint or spend the same at the store on...er, ah...more economical beverages.

I just got the notice that the screen went in the mail and should be here on the 4th, so next weekend is the install. If it all comes together nicely I'll post pics and give a test ride report.

Pxlchk, my interest in the screen was to take some of the wind pressure off my torso for my commute to work. I think RufusSwan explained it well. I personally don't want total coverage, just a little redirection. The larger windshields screw with my vision and I would not reccomend anything above eye level.

Smitty

I'm so glad you guys mentioned the vision issue. I can totally see that plastic getting all swirly and cobwebby in time. I was going to go for the tall version, but it sounds like the short guy will serve my purposes.

Woohoo! Now...out back to get the smoker working. It's a gorgeous day and there's brisket to be made!

-Alana (mmmmmmmmmmbrisket)

_________________
http://FistsOfCurryRally.com
...
If you love your scooter, let it go. If it comes back, you probably high-sided.

OK, so finally got it all together. The flyscreen as stock points back directly at your head...so some "adjustments" were in order. Thanks again to Matty X for all the great shots...really helped as the only instructions included were basicly a parts list and a tiny faint "diagram" of a similar collection of parts in some sort of order (this was all printed on a sheet smaller than an index card).
After "fine tuning" the support arms with the Whack-A-Mole technique I got a better angle.
A brief test ride around town (only up to 40mph) revealed a big reduction in wind pressure on my torso. But, Wombat was right about the increased wind noise on your helmet.
After I got home, I took it apart and whacked the arms a bit more foreward. Monday commute will give final results, tested up to 50mph for half an hour or so. Right now, I think the extra noise might be worth putting up with for relief on my aching back.

Mine came with a windshield - not sure about the make or model (it mounts to the mirror arms).

I took it off for awhile, and put it back on- I got hit in the neck by a grasshopper while going 53, and that learned me pretty damned quick how nice it was riding with it. I also noticed a small but definite increase in top end speed with it attached. The drag of the shield was less than my body with clothing and whatnot, I suppose.

edit- here it is:

-B

	Bailywolf wrote:
	The drag of the shield was less than my body with clothing and whatnot, I suppose.

All that hair is included in "whatnot" I assume Laughing

_________________
"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

Smitty - Your windshield looks great. The one I tried out was a lot larger, so I bet I would have liked something more like yours Smile

_________________
Jamie B.
'85 Honda Elite 250 "The She-Beast"
'01 Suzuki DR650
'09 KLR650 - For SALE!

Well, after my first real full on test run I believe it is a keeper. The noise I noticed last night at 30-40mph was not any louder at 50-55. I also noticed that at times (going into the wind) the screen made things more quiet than without. We've had a breezy few days here in P-town, so I still can't be sure of anything. I think it is just louder in a cross wind.
It does "lead" the scooter a bit in the wind, but not too crazy.
By not having the wind pressure on my body, it was an easier ride, so I vote for flyscreen!
The lack of wind also reminded me that I have a bad habit of putting too much of my weight foreward and leaning on the handlebars...bad form!
I may play with making a slightly larger clear portion this winter.
Matty, do you know what Roy used for the larger mod, was it plexiglass or something more heavy duty?

Thanks for the compliment Wombat.
Thanks for everyone's help and advice on this project.

Smitty

Edit: Bailywolf, your show of cuteness cannot go unanswered!

	Quote:
	Matty, do you know what Roy used for the larger mod, was it plexiglass or something more heavy duty?

It's plexiglass, and it's super easy to create larger screens for that windscreen.

This is an easy two beer job that requires a file, a drill with the proper sized bit, a sharpie marker, and a flat edge or ruler.

Use the original screen as your guide and trace the new screen's shape on some cardboard with the Sharpie. Trace the bottom and the sides. Then, using a ruler or flat edge, increase the length following the canter of the original screen. 18 inches is ideal. Use the original screen to draw the top. Get some plexi cut to the approximate dimensions of your cardboard jig. Then trace the cardboard diagram onto the plexi using a sharpie. Use a coarse file (NOT a hacksaw, dremel, etc.) to shave the plexi down to size and then hit it with a finer file and sandpaper. This is because plexi likes to melt - even with a hacksaw or jigsaw. Then heat the sides of the plexiglass with a heat gun or with a blowtorch. This smooths the rough edges left by the filing. You could also put some of that nice looking chrome beading on the edges.

You're not done yet. Throw the plexiglass in the oven at 200 degrees. Pull it out often and feel if it is getting softer. When it gets softer (but not melting - that would be a Bad Thing), use the original screen as a guide to bend the plexiglass to get the proper curve on it to attach to the flyscreen bottom.

Finally, use the original screen to mark where to drill holes on the new screen. Drill them out and attach.

_________________
The "X" stands for ex-Chetak owner.

Hey Matty, thanks for the info and the tips. I was hoping it would be pretty simple. The heat shaping in the oven is a good tip. I've heard others who do not shape their screen develop spider web cracks at the base because of the tension from the curved base.

Smitty,

Spend some time researching 'make your own windshield', 'forming plexiglass', and those type things. You will find specific cook times and temps for various plastics. Many 'substances' can be easily reshaped and formed if cooked properly (not too hot & not too cold). Leather for example is cooked in boiling water rather than with dry heat. Plexiglas is cooked dry as Matty mentioned.

If I remember correctly, both leather and Pglas can be cooked (set in the case of leather) in the oven but you need to protect both from unwanted 'dents' from the oven racks. Since both cook at lower temps than the flash point of paper/cardboard/wood many items can be used to protect the pristine finish of both.

Quite a fun topic to research.

_________________
"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

Thanks for the reminder Rufus.

Yeah, cook it in a cookie pan with a towel on the bottom.

_________________
The "X" stands for ex-Chetak owner.

	SmittyScoots wrote:
	Edit: Bailywolf, your show of cuteness cannot go unanswered!

Where did you get that spotlight and how exactly is it mounted? By butter yellow Chetak has been begging me for one, she's always asking for something...

Did you need an extra battery?

Thanks for the details RufusSwan, I think you also had some great links on the subject earlier on this thread (about working with plastics). After seeing how the screen is made and putting it on, it seems that if someone wanted to they could fab the whole thing...maybe a "next spring" project after some practice.
Have you made any progress on your Harley Vest conversion? (Oh wait, you've been a little busy I bet with that pesky drain plug!)

Hkabik, I am happy with the light setup and detailed a description and some links on the "New User" section under "Smitty's Silver Scoot". I got it from scooter parts direct, but it seems the same as several others out there. I got the mounting clamp at JCWhitney and they have a similar light, so maybe get it there to save on shipping. DragSpecialties has many more cooler and expensive options. You can't order off of the website, but they have a directory of dealers to contact.

The 'pesky drain plug' is under control, and I shot some great vids to boot. My real interest in forming plexi was if one could replace a broken one inexpensively rather than buying a replacement. If it's a simple curve, well then it looks easy to do. Cutting it can be ornery though, as the friction from cutting or anything of that nature turns it 'gummy'.

I'm still looking at available mounting options for the screen as the mounting is non-functional as well as the existing holes in the screen. I've seen some nice options up-thread though. Probably be a 'do this winter' kinda thing.

I am getting darn tired of catching all those sharply pointed bugs we have here in the Ozarks that somehow find their way under my helmet and attempt to force feed me extra protein. This screen won't be much wider than the stock mirror posts and it won't 'wing out' over your hands, but it will shuck the wind away from me. A tad bit smaller than the screen that Matty runs, but effective none the less.

_________________
"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

I meant to add my kudos for being able to resolve you pencil issue....
i thought of a lot of ideas but never was I hillbilly enough to come up with
the ultimate solution.... I am happy to hear it all FLUSHED out.... that in and of
its self is amazing...I did however love the termite thing and me,... I probably
would have gone for buying termites.......hahaha Laughing

may I ask what you paid for you new engine?
I am thinking about getting a spare...
I love my scoot... and I am fortunate enough to be able to ride year round here.
though it does get freaky cold... but not like some, as I am in the high desert...
it's a DRY COLD............haha
but your nipples will still break off Shocked

_________________
Happy Trails,

Cowboydoug

I moved to Utah for fly fishing and the big haired girls...
-the fly fishing has been very good to me...

Alana,

I purchased the windshield from a dealer that is specifically for the Chetak. I installed it and have never looked back.

It keeps the cold wind off me, catches bird droppings before it hits my shirt, and has even deflected a swarm of bees that I drove through. It also deflects the wind over my head. This means that I can ride all day with the visor up, without the wind hammering my eyes.

It's just that these windshields for the Chetak are hard to get hold of. But if you can, they're fantastic.

_________________
Smooth roads. Is that too much to ask for?
Los Angeles