The Prophet

I just (Saturday, August 14th) replaced my original 2007 Bonneville Triumph brand "Roadster" windshield plastic. It had slowly but surely cracked all over the place.

Replaced with:

Clearview Shields - for the best ride you'll ever see

Mine is the GT Medium, 18.5 inch size. With "recurve" option.

Some notes:

1.) Clearview Shield is super excellent quality. Not a speck or scratch on it. Beautiful craftmanship. They should be very proud of their nice work.

2.) My original "Roadster" windshield had developed cracks at every screw hole point, the bottom corner w/ 2 screws (after I took it completely off) actually was not even attached to the remainder of the shield! Way past any "warranty" so... oh well.

3.) If you want the very high quality Clearview Shield, you need to be patient. Took 7 weeks to manufacture and deliver, but well worth the wait. In retrospect, I should have ordered it in the winter months. They do provide regular email updates, so it's a class outfit.

4.) I had previously installed 1.5 inch handle bar risers, as my back was aching after 100 miles on the road. This helped, but raised the sitting - or head - position higher.

5.) I had also previously installed the King and Queen Seat, which I believe added maybe another 0.5 inch head height.

6.) Those two combined placed my head roughly 2 inches higher than stock, rendering the stock windshield useless, or at best a decent bug deflector for my lower chest and stomach. It also directed the wind right at my FF Helmet visor- noisy as heck, and noticable headshake at anything above 90 or so.

7.) If I could "do it over" I would have ordered the highest Clearview shield, 4 inches higher than stock. My sightline is currently about 3 inches over the top of the Clearview Shield. I do want to look slightly over it, not through it, so could afford about 1.5 inches higher. Too high, and you get no wind at all, you are peering THROUGH the shield, and the result is sitting in a silent, still air pocket, which to me (IMHO) sort of degrades the whole "open road" philosophy of riding. Why not just get a car?

8.) Note that the Clearview plastic shield attaches to the original Triumph Roadster Frame, same screwhole locations. This time, I added nylon washers scored from Home Depot to each connection point, on both sides, and used locktite on the threads, but tightened "just so"... not too tight.

9.) I also first installed the shield on all the brackets, all of which I purposely had left loose. Then I sort of carefully twisted and turned the entire assembly until it felt equally centered, and there were no "forced" attachment points. Then I gradually tightened each screw down.

10.) The "Recurve" feature is supposed to add the equivalant of a few inches of height, as it helps to throw the air "up and over" the riders head. We'll see, kind of mysterious right now...

At any rate, it all works fine, as I do like a little bit of wind in the face, especially on a hot day. The shield is also slightly wider, so that helps as well. I need only to slightly duck down, and I can be in the "Cone of Silence", if I care to.

I took a 190 mile roundtrip ride this past Sunday, and she works just fine. Took her up to just under 110 MPH for about a mile stretch, and no shake or vibration at all. It also doesn't seem to add any CoF, as I could have gone faster easily. I'll shoot some pics on our trip to the Budweiser Grand Nationals next weekend.

Tip: If you have a Triumph "Roadster" windshield - consider installing extra cushioning washers fore and aft, and using locktite, retighten the screws with some finesse. Mine I believe were far too tight originally, and there were rubber grommet cushions only on the four big main connections, not on the other screws. Also realise that if you change handlebars / seats, and such, you place your eyeline above what the shield was originally designed for.

Ride Safe!

Bob

__________________

• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
• Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me

The Prophet

Update as of September 07, 2010.

Once again, the quality, fit, appearance, service, etc. from Clearview Shields is excellent. Great company.

The fault lies with me, as I chose the incorrect height. Yeah, it works fairly good as is, but the point here is to remind everyone to always measure carefully (measure twice... cut once?).

If I could go back in time, I would order the higher unit. This one works ... OK, but 2, maybe 2.5 inches higher would be better. Slight helmet buffeting, head shake above say 75-80 MPH, below that I'm OK.

Read carefully through the instructions for measuring, and sit on the bike in your "normal" everyday riding position while measuring.

If I scrunch my head down an inch or so, it's great, but who wants to "scrunch" all the time? What to do? I'm already about $180 bucks into it.

Ride Safe!

Bob

The Prophet

Another update as of November 25, 2010

The wife informs me that the "wind" experienced from the pillion position, from this windscreen is much worse than the previous - stock Triumph Roadster Windshield.

Makes sense I guess, if the windshield is too short, the air is directed up and over the rider, but unfortunately right into the passengers face.

Moral of the story - again, my fault, not Clearview's, for ordering the wrong height.


Ride Safe (and non-tubulant)!

Bob

miller7346

Hello Prophet,
I too am struggling with a Triumph windshield. I have a 2004 standard black bonnie. I recently had a Roadster windshield installed and am not happy. I'm 6' 4" and I am severely buffeted even at 60 mph. I have been looking at the Clearview site and I'm thinking about getting the 20" Extented lowers. I did a few measurements. The center of the top of the screen is 55" from the floor. The top of my head (crown) is about 64" when in normal riding position and that makes my eyes about 59" from the floor (I think these self measurements are within 1/2 inch accurate.) Thus I will have about 4" head clearance from the new 20" shield that we keep me slightly above the screen. Since you didn't mention your height, I'm not sure if we are comparing similar numbers. I tried to call Clearview yesterday but they were closed until after Memorial Day. I would apprerciate your advice.
Miller7346

The Prophet

Miller,

I'm 5'-9" tall, 30 inch inseam.

That said, if you read my previous posts, you'll note that by changing to the King/Queen seat, and raising the handle bars, etc, I probably ended up around an inch or so higher than standard in the basic seating position.

For what it's worth: I would recommend you have a friend measure the dimension while you sit on the bike in your normal riding position. The top of the windshield should be just below your eye-line, allowing you to see the road ahead over the top of the screen say about 25 feet in front of you. The screen top should be roughly 2 inches or so below your eyes.

I've recently purchase a brand spanking new 2011 HD Road King. The windscreen is maybe an inch below my eyeline... and it's fantastic. Zero helmet buffeting, much, much less wind noise, and you still get a little breeze to keep you cool. Either way, IMO, the Triumph screen is far too low to begin with. More cosmetic than functional.

Clearview is an excellent screen - super high qality of finish, etc., and it bolts directly onto the Triumph Roadster screen brackets. All screw holes align perfectly. On the downside, you have to order one and wait for around 6 weeks or so. Another option is to peruse their "scratched and defect" section, and you get get one immediately, and with a slight discount. Word on the street is that the average guy can't find the "defect" they rejected the screen for. Worth a consideration anyway.

Good Luck, and regards,

Bob

miller7346

Prophet,
Thanks for the reply. I've found the Clearview site and plan on getting one soon
Miller 7346