more windshield questions....

[GS850_Mike]

I have a WJ V, I am assuming the windshield is the original. When I bought it the windshield had scratches on it that looked pretty bad. I was able to remove all scratches and make the windshield look very nice. My problem and in turn question is, now that I am riding the windshield is starting to get swirls and scratches again. I have only been out maybe 20 times with it. I think the plastic/plexi is just old and the UV rays have taken their tolls on it. Is there a way to rejuvenate this or is it just time for a new replacement?

 

[brianinpa]

I've never seen a way to completely rejuvenate plexi-glass. Sure it may look good for a short time, but eventually it begins to show it's age again. Sometimes you just need to replace it.

 

[GS850_Mike]

That's what I figured but I thought I would ask before dropping around 100 for a new windshield. Now I just need to decide tall or normal and vents or no vents. My current is tall no vents, its nice but I am worried how hot it will be this summer. It is also difficult to see over it if needed so I am leaning to the normal height. I just dont want the buffeting at highway speeds.

 

[brianinpa]

I have some of everything, and I have even made my own and I will say, the taller it is, the vents are almost a necessity to counteract the increased pressure behind the fairing which causes a lot of buffeting and can really move a helmet around.

 

[Larry Fine]

the vents are almost a necessity to counteract the increased pressure behind the fairing . . .

Do vents also reduce the exhaust-smell complaints?

 

[GS850_Mike]

I have some of everything, and I have even made my own and I will say, the taller it is, the vents are almost a necessity to counteract the increased pressure behind the fairing which causes a lot of buffeting and can really move a helmet around.

Really? I have the WJ with tall windshield on an 82 suzuki GS850G, driving 35 miles round trip to work (about half and half freeway to local) and haven't noticed any buffeting. In fact one of the reason I am planning on keeping it is the lack of buffeting over the plane windshield I had on the bike. The old one was so bad I bought a helmet just because it didn't have top vents as the one with vents was extremely loud. The turbulent air hit just at the vents with my normal seating. I could duck down or sit straight up (and stretch) to change it but on a long ride it got old fast.
I am so impressed with the WJ I am dying to take the bike camping. Right now if everything goes as planned it looks like a mid April trip to the tail of the dragon.

 

[brianinpa]

I have two 19 inch windshields. One has vents and the other doesn't. My head gets tossed around terribly when I have the shield on without vents, but it is smooth when I have the one on with vents. I thought maybe it was just the windshield so I tried opening and closing the vents. Same thing... smooth with the vents open but tossed everywhere with the vents closed.

 

[brianinpa]

Do vents also reduce the exhaust-smell complaints?

Not sure, I don't have that problem, but I would think they would help with airflow.

 

[Larry Fine]

So, the vents are really helmet stabilizers!

 

[GS850_Mike]

I'll have to try my normal windshield off of the other wj, it's shorter just not sure how short and see if I get any buffeting before I buy a replacement. Good to know.