Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Windscreen Summary

I'm a new America owner ('08, acquired new in October) and a registered member of this board for less time than that. I want a windscreen, and in pursuit of that goal I've read the screen threads here a half-dozen times. Yes, this is yet another windscreen thread. My goal is to restate what I think I've learned so that you veterans can tell me whether I've learned anything from the accumulated wisdom here.

So here goes.

For '07 and later Americas and Speedys, Triumph added tapered fork shrouds. The screen mounting hardware that Triumph sells with its Roadster screen works with the tapered shrouds, but as yet no after-market vendor has made a product that works out of the box. America riders are pretty universally unhappy with the Roadster screen (heavy buffetting and some reports about durability problems), but many have purchased them, discarded the screen after an unhappy trial and kept the mounting hardware, attaching a screen from another vendor such as National Cycle or Memphis Shades. Alas, this option does not permit quick on and off of the shade. For now, that's as good as it gets unless you're able to fabricate something yourself. Better solutions seem perpetually just out of reach, but as yet none has proved workable.

How's that for a summary of what I've read? Did I get it right?

Unfortunately, I have neither the tools nor the aptitude to fabricate something myself. I'd prefer not to spend money on what seems an over-priced Triumph screen and hardware only to dump the screen. But if I'm understanding the many previous discussions correctly, I may have no other choice.

Thanks for the feedback. And cheers.

Jeff

You pretty much summed it up. If you can be a little patient, I am going to be getting a screen made by a small manufacturer that will fit TBA's and BSM's in all years. This will happen sometime in Mid January to Mid to late February.
I hope to have it reasonably quick release, and should be available in 3 heights. There may actually one for the America and a slightly different shaped one for the Speedy.

Clay

You're mostly correct. As one of those who discarded a Roadster, I'll fill in a few details. First, the Roadster hardware doesn't mount to the shrouds. That's why it fits all years of BA/Speedy. In contrast, with one exception, all the aftermarket hardware that doesn't use the handlebars for mounting (usually only the cheapest windshields) is designed to fit the non-tapered shrouds of earlier models. The exception to this is National Cycle, which can supposedly provide parts to fit. However, you must purchase the parts piecemeal, as no actual "kit" is available. I'll add that I've tried to work with this company twice regarding windshields for my America, but both times found them to be uncooperative and/or too difficult to deal with.

If you want a touring screen, there are really only two good approaches IMO. The first would be to change the upper shrouds, then buy a large screen system from Memphis Shades. The second would be to buy the Roadster hardware from Triumph, then order a large Clearview replacement screen. The latter was recommended to me on this very forum before I bought the Roadster, but I didn't listen. It just seemed easier to buy the factory system, and I guess I thought it couldn't really be all that bad. It was an expensive mistake.

I hated the roadster screen. Love my Windvest, but it might not be enough protection for you.

Hi guys. I like the Roadster, but I have not experienced any other type shield so a better alternative may be just what has been suggested. The buffeting does not happen unless I am going really fast which for me is 75 or faster or if there are strong cross winds. The Roadster does offer excellent protection. I am 6 foot and can see over the shield , but I am not hit with any head wind. It looks like my dealor had to custon bend the mounting hardware to relieve potential stress at the shield. After 6 months I have had no cracking of the shield. The custom lowers sounds like a great idea as they allegedly help with buffeting. I saw some Kawasaki lowers recently that I think are of an ideal size perhaps I could get them mounted.
One more though. Use a special plastic cleaner/polisher on the shield and face shield. The M/C dealor has this. Do not use Windex or Rainex. I read a site (google polycarbonate windshield cleaning) re polycarbonate shield maintenance that suggested a wet soft cloth to remove bugs and grit used in a up and down and back and forth motion. Never use a circular cleaning approach. Then apply the plastic cleaner. I have an 08 BA.
Great choice. I like having carbs. Anyone can work on them even in Podunk, USA. These Kehlins (sp) are the Harly carbs.

Phaedrus,
Here is my suggestion. This will be the cheapest solution and the best shield. IMHO
Remover the fork shrouds. These are only covers. The bikes look great without the shrouds. If you are not comfortable with doing this ask the dealer to remove them. Surely one hour labor would cover this.
Now that the shrouds are gone order a Memphis Fats shield.
Easy on easy off. Boom you're done.
Whatcha' think?
Mike
Memphis Slim Just saw this for sale on another thread. You could use this shield and purchase the brackets seperate from Memphis.

here is one in the classifieds now
http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...4498#Post364498

You guys are great. Lots of good feedback. Thank you.

Frijoli, I'm in northeast Ohio and I doubt I'll be able to ride until late March at the earliest. So if your contact develops a solution for an America, I'll give it a good look. Keep us posted.

Lazyrider, I'd missed that the Roadster screen doesn't attach to the shrouds. Thanks for clarifying that. You and Mikemm03 both suggest the same solution, methinks. I'm not against removing or replacing the shrouds. I dunno if I can do it myself, but probably would be willing to have a dealer tech do it. Will study on this approach more.

That's a nice looking Memphis Shades screen in the classifieds. I'm 6-foot-3, so I think I'll need something taller than a 15-incher. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

I'm probably making this a bigger mind-bender than it needs to be. Still, there don't appear to be quick and easy, and perfect, solutions. You've all been a big help. I'll let you know which way I go.

Jeff

"And what is good, Phaedrus.....need we someone to tell us these things"? I work from memory here!

I think the screen in the Classifieds is too short. The Roadster itself is 16". I'm 6', and I found the Clearview 20" to be just enough. I look through it, not over it, in normal driving. Incidentally, I don't think the Memphis Shades kit fits bare forks (someone suggested removing the upper shrouds). Unless I'm wrong, you'll need to install the earlier non-tapered shrouds to use MS hardware.

Phadedrus,

I'm closer to 6'4" and really needed the taller screen. I found the Clearview 20" to work fine for our heights. Anything less will be too low and you will get helmet buffeting at highway speeds. Even then, you will still be looking over the top of the screen.

I like the Clearview and it fits fine with the Triumph OEM mounting brackets; however, there is a long wait time. I waited about 3 months...twice! Had to return the first 18.5" screen as it was too low.

Perhaps now that it is winter, the wait time will be less.

Good luck.

Lee

Thanks again, guys. More good advice.

Jeff

Go to National Cycle web sight. Checkout the Switch Blade line and if you like what you see contact me. badbart2@verizon.net or call me at 302-378-6257. I have all the part #'s to install any or all of that line on your bike. I have no buffeting problems. The shields pop on and off with no tools after you install the mounting hardware ant it unobtrusive, so you can ride without the shield if you want to. Check out their video while your there and you'll know the quality of their products. Plus, your choice of 4 different windshields.

between the research you conducted and the addendums provided above, you have all the infomation needed to make an informed decision. i have two screens. the roadster and the summer. both do not buff at all. zero nada. how can this be? it seems moe put them both in the closet. where they can buffet the monsters that lurk in the evening shadows.

guess by now you realize that i ride in the wind. in the wind with a full face lid. the lid is my windscreen. my truck dosen't buffet either and i don't need a lid.

don't think i am unaware of the advantages of a screen. i am. i am also aware of the joy of unadultrated wind. purenirvanaimightadd. the wind is an impassioned lover. let her embrace you.

Moe brings up a good point. Sometimes, helmet buffeting is worse with a screen than without if the screen isn't the right height for you.

My first Clearview screen at 18.5" resulted in awful buffeting...much worse than no screen at all. Apparently, the screen funneled all the air up and over the screen directly into my face. The second Clearview at 20" was tall enough to send most of the wind over my helmet.

For us taller riders , there aren't any screens tall enough to look through so that all the wind is completely over the top of the helmet.

Unfortunately, the only way to know if a screen will work for you is to try it.

Lee

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Moe brings up a good point

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don't think i am unaware of the advantages of a screen. i am. i am also aware of the joy of unadultrated wind. purenirvanaimightadd. the wind is an impassioned lover. let her embrace you.

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Nuff Sed.

Moe, you're a poet. I dunno what more to say. Thanks for reminding us why, really, we love riding.

Just wanted to report back . . .

I decided to go with the National Cycle Switchblade, 2-Up model. I installed it last weekend and, blessed yesterday with 70-degree weather, took my first ride with the new screen. It also was my first ride of the season.

I like the screen a lot. In 55 miles of mixed riding, including speeds to 70 mph, I had no difficulties with buffeting. The screen makes riding above 50 mph enjoyable, rather than the hang-on-for-dear-life thrill ride I'd experienced before.

It's only a first impression, but a good one.

My thanks to Chip for his help in ordering the right parts from National Cycle and for his installation advice.

Jeff

Hey Jeff, a pic or two wouldn't go astry mate. I'm always interested in new changes and I can't remember seeing a switchblade on one of our bikes.

How about it?

Glad to, Staffo. I'll need a few days.

OK, Staffo, a few days turned into a month. But here they are, pics of my National Cycle windscreen . . . if I mastered photo posting.

[image][/image}

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Here's the attachment rig on an upper fork:
[image][/image]

Jeff

MMM, very interesting Jeff. The photos are not bad but I still found it hard to work out how the release mechanism worked but anyway, how do you find the screen yourself. Is it what you were after?

That pic is sideways, Staffo. Sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to set it upright, at least not without spending lots more time on the task.

The mounting hardware attaches to each fork with two straps. The straps connect to a specially configured metal piece up next to the shroud, running along the fork's axis. That piece is covered by the chromed metal cup that you can see in the pic. The cup is topped by two chromed spools. To attach the shield to the mounting hardware, you rest the bottom part of the shield attachment on the bottom spool and then rock the shield forward and press it fast onto the top spool. Works like a charm. Attaching or detaching the screen takes mere minutes.

Sounds complicated in the explaining, but it's actually pretty simple. Hope that helps.

I like the screen a lot. I've ridden about 420 miles since attaching it, and I've no problems and very little buffetting.

Cheers,
Jeff

That's a pretty elegant mounting system. Much nicer than my Memphis shades attachments. No tools necessary to remove/install?

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Here's the attachment rig on an upper fork:
[image][/image]

Jeff

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Any idea if your screen will fit on a TA with the Triumph Light Bar installed? Here's a photo of the Clearview Screen on the Speedmaster with the light bar installed.

Installation requires a torque wrench that measures 75 inch pounds. Otherwise, nothing unusual.

Shutterbug, I dunno about fit with a light bar. I'll try in the next day to shoot some more photos up close from the front and side. Perhaps that will help you. If you shoot me a measurement from your light bar to the top of the forks, or to some other reference point, I'll check it against the screen on my bike.

Jeff

Sorry, ssjones. Just reread your note. Installation of the mounting system requires a torque wrench. To install, remove the screen itself requires no tools at all.

Oh boy. I almost hate to say this.

I wanted a screen but couldn't pull the trigger on the Triumph screen - just seemed like too much money.

'Decided to get the $80 screen from (gulp) JC Whitney to see how it worked until I could assemble enough information to make an intelligent decision as to what to get - I had not as yet discovered this website.

Guess what? I'm very happy with it! I'm 5'11" and no buffeting until I get up over 75 or so.

I know; it's embarassing, but that's the way it is.

Jeff:
I meant to put on or take off the screen from the mounts. My Memphis Shades needs a small allen-head wrench.

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Installation requires a torque wrench that measures 75 inch pounds. Otherwise, nothing unusual.

....Jeff

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Here are three shots that I hope will help you determine whether the National Cycle 2-Up screen will fit with a light bar. Also, I measured from the top of the fork brace below the screen (is that what it's called?) to the bottom of the screen. That distance was 3-7/8 inches. Hope this helps. Here are the pics:

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I tried a Givi screen, but at 6'2" there was too much buffetting for me. Got a Triumph flyscreen, which gets rid of most of the wind at the chest. I wear an open face 3/4 helmet with a full face visor which traps some wind, so this summer will try a full face helmet. Best of both worlds is what I'm hoping for.

I had a request for another side shot with the forks straight. Here it is:

[image][/image]

And here's a bonus pic, just for playing our game . . . a photo of my dog:
[image][/image]

Jeff,
Almost what I need to see....can you do one like this?
I want to be able to see where the sheild comes down around the headlight to see if itll clear my lightbar.

Yup, can do. I've got to move the camera little more to the front of the bike. Will take me a couple of days, perhaps until Saturday.

Hi. I'm spankin' new here, so I'm surfing all the threads and this one causght my eye. I have a Speedy '07, black and lowered rear. I like to ride long distance sometimes, and a windscreen would be lovely! But I think it would look weird on my bike. Is there a compromise? A cool looking screen that is (semi) functional? I've heard the fly screens don't do much. Opinions, please...

Jeff. you've gone to a lot of work to show us this new screen. From what I've seen so far and looking on their website, this one looks pretty good. In fact I am now seriously considering buying one but I just can't seem to find out how high it is from the headlight. It does say on their website:

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Cutout to Top: 18.5-21.25 in. (45.0-54.0cm)* Overall H: 25.0-28.0 in. (63.5-71.1cm)* Overall W: 22.5-23.0 in. (57.2-58.4cm)* * Depending on Model

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but can you just measure it for me please and tell me how high from your headlight to the top so I know for sure how tall the screen is?

cheers mate and thanks for all the effort your putting in for us. Appreciate it

It's 21.5 inches from the top of the headlight to the top of the screen. I look over the screen, but not by a lot. National Cycle will provide the screen in different sizes within the dimensions you provided above, so you've got some wiggle room.

Thanks Jeff,

I've pm'd Chip to try and find out the part numbers for my bike considering I don't have the tapered fork tubes like you do, but I haven't heard back as yet. BTW, can I ask how tall are you considering the screen is pretty much as tall as they come if we want to look over the top of it?

cheers
staffo

6-foot-3. I've got the part numbers. I'll pm you.

Jeff