[Dave_J]

Today I worked on the GIVI windshield. It got cracked some how about 3 weeks ago. I had put my stock shield back on and ran it for a week, was not a happy camper. The wind hit just under my chin.

Any way I put blue tape on, measured down, used the stock shield as a top line guide and SHARPIE'ed a line. I started the cut using my saber saw and a fine tooth wood blade. I also taped the shoe of the saw. After I got half way, I re-taped the cut to keep it from vibrating and cut fro the other direction. I was not in a hurry, did not push the saw just let it nibble away at the line. After it was cut,I used a drum sander roll in my Drimel and smoothed out the big woops. Then using 400 grit sandpaper, I smoothed all the edges and rounded them some. I can now look over the shield, the wind hits at about eye level and the buffeting is less. I then used a 1/4 inch drill bit and drilled the tip if the crack then filled it with clear silicone. Pic's follow.
[attachment=3:1t5acw1g]1.jpg[/attachment:1t5acw1g]
[attachment=2:1t5acw1g]Weapon of choice 1.jpg[/attachment:1t5acw1g]
[attachment=1:1t5acw1g]Weapon of choice 2.jpg[/attachment:1t5acw1g]
[attachment=0:1t5acw1g]Retape.jpg[/attachment:1t5acw1g]

 

[Dave_J]

Re: Fixed a crack and cut my Givi windshield down 3.25 inche

More shots.
[attachment=4:r36anl5t]Finish it off.jpg[/attachment:r36anl5t]
[attachment=3:r36anl5t]Side by side.jpg[/attachment:r36anl5t]
[attachment=2:r36anl5t]the crack.jpg[/attachment:r36anl5t]
[attachment=1:r36anl5t]Drill the crack.jpg[/attachment:r36anl5t]
[attachment=0:r36anl5t]Its done 1.jpg[/attachment:r36anl5t]

Notice the right turnsignal is on. Thats my Magic Blinker in use.

 

[ErikDK]

Re: Fixed a crack and cut my Givi windshield down 3.25 inche

I'm currently using the screen that was damaged in my crash, with a similar amount cut from the top as yours.

What made a huge difference was cutting 2 2" diameter holes at the bottom of the screen, in front of the instrument hood.

The holes let air in behind the screen, where there's usually vacuum, and there's a lot less turbulence.

If you drill the holes to the size that GoldWing or Vetter vents require, you can always plug them that way, if you don't like the effect.

 

[Mike337]

Re: Fixed a crack and cut my Givi windshield down 3.25 inche

Nice work! How difficult is it to sand down your "whoops" or mistakes? It's nice to hear you also experienced a little less turbulence when finished.

 

[Dave_J]

Re: Fixed a crack and cut my Givi windshield down 3.25 inche

Mike, the woops were caused by a hand the was sniper steady when I was under 40. :roll: I dressed it up first with the dremil grinder to get the shape even then used the 400 grit on a pad to blend the shallows to the highs and to put a slight rounded edge on the cuts. The rounded edge is to keep it from developing a crack and to make sure you don't cut yourself if you impact the edge. About 15 minuets with the pad and sandpaper.

Erik, I am in contact with Craig Vetter about twice a month and follow his Vetter MPG Challenge. I can order vents from him. In my last GIVI I had cut about 2.5 inches off the top and cut in a Gold Wing vent, I still have the vent.

The trick with cutting a shield down is to measure, measure and m...... If you cut too little, its OK, you can trim it some. Cut too much and you must live with it or replace it.

I am doing the 3 Pass Blast today to meet up with Daboo on his maiden voyage on his NEW Honda. It will be a 300 mile day for me behind this cut down shield. I will repost later on how it worked. See 3 Pass Blast in the Rally section for his new Honda. Traitor!

 

[Fatjock]

Re: Fixed a crack and cut my Givi windshield down 3.25 inche

I hope you guys have a great run.

 

[Flywheel]

Re: Fixed a crack and cut my Givi windshield down 3.25 inche

A rotozip works MUCH better than a jigsaw IME. Cut down the exact same GIVI screen as yours. Left the screen on the bike, wrapped tarp around front of scoot (to keep chips off) and buzzed away. Taped off of course. Then a palm sander with somewhat clogged 800 grit (IIRC) to polish the edges. Remove tarp, vaccum and done! I really disliked looking through that screen and was worse in the rain. Now it sits well below my FOV.

I was thinking about drilling holes to relieve some of the vacuum but wasn't sure if it would be effective. Where exactly do I put them? Middle bottom edge?

 

[Dave_J]

Re: Fixed a crack and cut my Givi windshield down 3.25 inche

One thing I left out. I had put a 1/8 inch steel washer under the black bracket to shim the bottom out and top back. This allows air under the shield.

I went 147.3 miles and filled up well past full with 2.54 gallons. Had to wobble the bike a few time to get the air out to finish the pre-paid $10 so it was over full by a bit. The last 4/10's was hard to fit. Thats 58 MPG. Is this the effect of the cut down shield or just a long trip at steady speed???? Just over 2.5 hours non-stop and the shield worked OK. Better than non-cut.