Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Bikeman875 on June 27, 2012, 12:32:18 PM
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Havent dont the tint yet but thats next , should be interesting how it rides with this .
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It looks like perhaps an inch shorter than I cut mine. I guess it depends on how tall you are.
At 6', mine lets full airflow at the lowest position, and all the way up it does deflect a significant
amount of wind. I think it is a great hot weather mod. Not so great in the rain, though.
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I definitely like the look of the short style wind screen! Once you get that thing tinted, it'll definitely look bad ass. Just curious though, why do you think it'll be interesting to see how the bike rides with that type of screen? Would the wind screen affect how the bike handles or anything? Or do you mean it'll be interesting to see how much wind it actually blocks being that short? I suppose the wind screen would affect the aerodynamics in some form or fashion, I just wouldn't assume it'd be enough to be noticeable. Forgive my ignorance, I don't have a Connie so I'm not sure how much add-ons like this affect the bike or how it handles.
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Well being a shorter guy I was getting allot of wind noise from the stock shield more than any other bike I have ridden. I took it off and drove around with nothing to see how that felt, it does ride a bit different at highway speeds but a better description is how it sounds with the short shield and it sounds more like all of the other bikes I have now. I'm going to get one of the huge shields for rainy days and when it gets cool in the fall here in NE. I love the wind on me in this hot weather we are into now and thats what I am used to. I will have to ride for a while with it on to see what effects it has, and what windy days will do to it, just put it on today. Defiantly like the look of it, reminds me of the bat bike. Will post pictures of the tint when done I got some to put on today.
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Havent dont the tint yet but thats next , should be interesting how it rides with this .
Looks good! (Although PLEASE scale your pictures to something sane before posting so they don't take minutes to load! I have yet to figure out why this board accepts 10MP images).
I might need to have something like this for summer riding... the stock windshield is just too much protection! HOT!!!
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I cut mine down and love it, great for the summer. I couldn't figure out a good way to tint it though.
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I cut mine down and love it, great for the summer. I couldn't figure out a good way to tint it though.
Perhaps you could use a DIY tint kit? I know there are tons of places out there that sell pre-cut tint kits. Perhaps you can find something that would work for a small wind screen from www.tintkits.com (http://www.tintkits.com).
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I just got some basic tint from the parts store to try if that does not work I have a few other ideas.
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I cut down my 2010+ shock screen 3.75" and did the spray tint method.
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That looks great, like it.
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I cut down my 2010+ shock screen 3.75" and did the spray tint method.
[UG!! Resize your pics before upload, people!!! ]
Oh yes, I do think I like that. Not sure what a spray tint method is, though. What it is? Is it durable? What's with the interesting shape cut into the middle of the shield? Just more air through? Why did you pick that shape? Do you get bug splattered to death? Why 3.75" lower and not some other number? Did you buy some other shield as your main (non-summer) shield?
Inquiring minds want to know!
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Took a little over 4 inches off of mine IIRC. Used tailight tint spray and it is ready for refinishing after a year and a half of use (I use it from May-September).
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m245/flygirl5485/IMAG0030.jpg)
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I finally got around to cutting down my stock 08 windshield. The first 2" cut really didn't help, but the 2nd 2" cut, bringing it to 4" total, made the windshield much better. Now, I'm in clean air, and only get buffeting with the shield all the way up. I matched the stock curve of the windshield, rather than going with the rounded/curved style. Pic attached. I'm not planning on tinting the w/s at this time. I may radius the corners a bit more, but may just leave it as is for a while.
I also have an OEM tall w/s for the cooler months.
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Not sure what a spray tint method is, though. What it is? Is it durable?
I did some spray tint, some more info on this thread link attached...
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=5296.msg68662#msg68662 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=5296.msg68662#msg68662)
Looks good BM! 8)
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Oh yes, I do think I like that. Not sure what a spray tint method is, though. What it is?
VHT Night Shades (to the back side of the shield) Is it durable?
Yes, but you can re-apply as needed.
What's with the interesting shape cut into the middle of the shield?
That's the Cal Sci cut out. Only a little larger.
Just more air through?
Yes, as I was still getting some back pressued at ... well .... above highway speeds. ;D
Why did you pick that shape?
For the same reason Cal Sci did. I don't remember the correct name for it, but the design was developed long ago by scientific testing.
Do you get bug splattered to death?
No.
Why 3.75" lower and not some other number?
That made it just a little shorter than the 08-09 factory shield. I think it's an inch lower.
Did you buy some other shield as your main (non-summer) shield?
Yes, a V-Stream.
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At that size couldn't you just paint it black on the inside??
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At that size couldn't you just paint it black on the inside??
That is what I am gonna do when my VHT niteshades coating annoys me enough. It is chipping around the mounting brackets. I might even have the whole thing painted and clearcoated to make clean up even faster.
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For the same reason Cal Sci did. I don't remember the correct name for it, but the design was developed long ago by scientific testing.
How did you cut that shape? With a router???
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How did you cut that shape? With a router???
I was wondering the same thing. How do you guys cut those wind shields down like that? Tape and a dremel or what? Me thinks you'd need a steady hand for that so there must be another way to get such clean lines...
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Tape and mark off the cut lines. For the outside edges, I just use a jigsaw. For the hole, I first drilled a hole in the waste area, then used the jigsaw. After cutting, I went back with a dremel with a sanding drum to clean it up a little.
That's basically it as far as cutting it. Just take your time. It's also a good idea to have the shield off of the bike and clamped down to the work bench. With the shield properly protected of course.
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I was wondering the same thing. How do you guys cut those wind shields down like that? Tape and a dremel or what? Me thinks you'd need a steady hand for that so there must be another way to get such clean lines...
I'm cheap. I stole the step stool out of my daughters bathroom, it has an oblong hand hole cut into the top step. Flipped my jigsaw upside down and screwed the basplate to the bottom side of the top step which allowed the blade to stick just far enough out of the hole. Taped up the shield, drew my line, cut away and then went to work with a file and sandpaper.
Only picture I have, covered in bug guts but you get the point. Its not pretty or perfect by any means but I have yet to polish it. It fits the bill and I'm just going to tint or paint it anyway.
(http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/SgtMac/IMAG0731.jpg)
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Tape both sides, cut with jigsaw, finish with flat file and sandpaper. Sound familiar? :) The first cut I did with the w/s off the bike, the 2nd cut with it installed. My son helped hold it to control any movement/flapping. It would take more work to make it perfect, but taking care with the marker, jigsaw and file yields decent results. Someone looking for unevenness would spot it, but "normal" people would not likely notice it. It is smooth/even enough that I'm not aware of the imperfections when riding the bike.
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Got the tint spray today cant wait to try it, thanks for the idea.
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I'm cheap. I stole the step stool out of my daughters bathroom, it has an oblong hand hole cut into the top step. Flipped my jigsaw upside down and screwed the basplate to the bottom side of the top step which allowed the blade to stick just far enough out of the hole. Taped up the shield, drew my line, cut away and then went to work with a file and sandpaper.
Looks good. I have a band saw at work so it makes it easy just free handed it and it came out ok
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Took a little over 4 inches off of mine IIRC. Used tailight tint spray and it is ready for refinishing after a year and a half of use (I use it from May-September).
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m245/flygirl5485/IMAG0030.jpg)
I put my cut down stocker back on a couple of weeks ago. It makes a huge difference for me in the heat. Mine looks pretty much like Jeremy's above. Not only does the shield allow more clean air to hit my upper body but it also seems to change the air flow around the bike in general. I seem to get more air on my legs as well. The first time that I cut it I didn't take off much. The second time I cut it, for a total of ~4" it was perfect. I used a band saw and cutting it was a piece of cake.
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I put my cut down stocker back on a couple of weeks ago. It makes a huge difference for me in the heat. Mine looks pretty much like Jeremy's above. Not only does the shield allow more clean air to hit my upper body but it also seems to change the air flow around the bike in general. I seem to get more air on my legs as well. The first time that I cut it I didn't take off much. The second time I cut it, for a total of ~4" it was perfect. I used a band saw and cutting it was a piece of cake.
I think I was mistaken on my numbers. I actually took off more than four inches, my shield is about an inch and a half taller than the dash if that tells you anything.
The air flow is awesome! I just used this shield for my long trip up to the U.P. and it worked out great even though I spent a ton of time on the interstate. Ear plugs made it a much more enjoyable experience. There is no buffeting around my head and when the shield is all the way up and it blocks the air all the way up to my shoulders. With it all the way down I get great flow and can feel the "breeze" cooling my armpits quite nicely.
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I have a couple of surface scratches on my screen, is it possible to polish these out with cutting paste and a rotary polisher before tinting the screen?
I like the idea of having two screens,one for the summer and one for the winter.
Alan
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Well I got the shorty tinted and I like the looks of it better. I used the spray tint method and it came out pretty good. You can't see through it but you never need to either. After a few weeks of riding with it I am really happy I cut it down. I recommend this mod for anyone riding on the really warm days. I think I will still buy a biggie CAl SI to put on when it starts getting cool here in the fall. I like the way the air hits you much better with the shorty much more than the stock. It was worth trashing the stock shield and personally like the look of the bike better with this shield. A good experiment overall.
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Also got my GPS and detector mounts finished up as well.
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Well I got the shorty tinted and I like the looks of it better. I used the spray tint method and it came out pretty good. You can't see through it but you never need to either. After a few weeks of riding with it I am really happy I cut it down. I recommend this mod for anyone riding on the really warm days. I think I will still buy a biggie CAl SI to put on when it starts getting cool here in the fall. I like the way the air hits you much better with the shorty much more than the stock. It was worth trashing the stock shield and personally like the look of the bike better with this shield. A good experiment overall.
I wish some company MADE a shorty like these. I would buy one. I don't have the tools to cut one, and I am sure I would ruin it, anyway.
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I wish some company MADE a shorty like these. I would buy one. I don't have the tools to cut one, and I am sure I would ruin it, anyway.
Thats not really a bad idea, I could work up a price for you but I think that with what I would have to pay for a stock shield and the materials and shipping it would prob be too much. I thikn you would have to do it on a large scale but I think it would be a good product to sell.
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Thats not really a bad idea, I could work up a price for you but I think that with what I would have to pay for a stock shield and the materials and shipping it would prob be too much. I thikn you would have to do it on a large scale but I think it would be a good product to sell.
It would probably make sense for a company that already sells C-14 windshields, though. And being a much smaller form should allow them to sell if for much less than their full windshields.
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Max, Calsci makes a tinted shorty that might work for you.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Concoursprod.html (http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Concoursprod.html)
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I don't have the tools to cut one, and I am sure I would ruin it, anyway.
Do you have a spare OEM shield to cut down? If so, I could bring my tools to your place and we can cut it down. Now I will not say that we wouldn't ruin it, as it's a try and see sort of thing. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Also, I'd let you try my shortened shield so you'd feel how the air flow is.
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Do you have a spare OEM shield to cut down? If so, I could bring my tools to your place and we can cut it down. Now I will not say that we wouldn't ruin it, as it's a try and see sort of thing. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Also, I'd let you try my shortened shield so you'd feel how the air flow is.
very noble offer from the The Pope ^^^^^^^^^^^
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Max, Calsci makes a tinted shorty that might work for you.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Concoursprod.html (http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Concoursprod.html)
I bought that. It is actually taller than a 08/09 windshield. I plan to cut mine down a lot more. I'm not really happy with it. It buffets too much.
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I bought that. It is actually taller than a 08/09 windshield. I plan to cut mine down a lot more. I'm not really happy with it. It buffets too much.
Wasn't aware of that. I cut 4" of my '08 stocker. The folks at Calsci may custom cut the shorty.
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I bought that. It is actually taller than a 08/09 windshield. I plan to cut mine down a lot more. I'm not really happy with it. It buffets too much.
Add the Cal Sci cutout to it. That's what I did to my cut down screen.
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I wish some company MADE a shorty like these. I would buy one. I don't have the tools to cut one, and I am sure I would ruin it, anyway.
Here's what mine looks like with ~4" cut off. I used the stock shield as a template for the cut.
[smg id=349]
Hey Max, you saw Pope's offer to come over and cut yours down, nice! I'll put an offer out there as well. If you pay for shipping both ways I'll cut yours down for you using my band saw. That thing goes through these shields like butter. I'll even clean the edge up real nice before I send it back to you. PM me if you're interested.
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Do you have a spare OEM shield to cut down? If so, I could bring my tools to your place and we can cut it down. Now I will not say that we wouldn't ruin it, as it's a try and see sort of thing. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Also, I'd let you try my shortened shield so you'd feel how the air flow is.
Wow- that is really generous, especially considering you are pretty far away. I actually don't have a spare shield either, though. I suppose I could buy an expensive new calsci or try to locate a stock one that someone no longer wants (although I have a feeling that would be difficult).
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Max, Calsci makes a tinted shorty that might work for you.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Concoursprod.html (http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Concoursprod.html)
Not even sure I care about tinted, but like others said, it might be too tall for a shorty. Just not sure. One thing that is interesting, is the "calsci cutout" is missing on their shorty.
Ironically, I do find myself using the shield up high in the evening/night during summer or I will be completely covered in damn bugs!! But during summer day riding, I just melt!
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Wow- that is really generous, especially considering you are pretty far away.
I have a season pass to Bush Gardens, so I get up your way about every month.
One thing that is interesting, is the "calsci cutout" is missing on their shorty.
When I first shorten mine, I was getting back pressure and a little dirty air when it was 3/4 to full up, so I added the Cal Sci cutout. Problem solved.
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When I first shorten mine, I was getting back pressure and a little dirty air when it was 3/4 to full up, so I added the Cal Sci cutout. Problem solved.
[/quote]
I may add that too, anyone know approximate dimensions and location of the cut out?
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Hello all, I have a Sports screen from Eagle Screens on an 08. It is 100mm (4ins) shorter than the standard one. Also it is tinted. For summer it is great. for winter I just have the standard clear screen. Tinted screen on a black bike looks great. (my opinion)
http://www.eaglescreens.com.au/?productcats=kawasaki (http://www.eaglescreens.com.au/?productcats=kawasaki)
I don't know their shipping costs to the US.
Hope this is useful to someone.
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So it took me a looooooooooooong time, but I finally have my own shorty. Bought one of those spare windshields on 11-09-2013. Since I have an Xcreen clamp-on, adjustable windscreen extender, I need the top to stay straight, not round. And others say a 4" drop is needed. I went for a 5" drop, since I will be using the Xscreen with it and have more flexibility/options with it.
Drove to my friend's house and removed my old shield. Taped it up, marked 5" down, cut it with his band saw. It was surprisingly easy and effective. Then on the scrap I tested using a torch to try and melt the edge nice... um, that is not going to happen. The plastic either burns or bubbles or discolors. If I just wave it around a lot carefully then nothing happens. So we used an air powered handheld grinder with a plastic wool (?) pad and made the edges smooth and tapered.
It is far from a perfect cut, but it isn't that bad either... most people would probably not even notice. Only driven once with it, yet, and that was tonight... and it was 70F, so I had it fully up and with the Xscreen half engaged. With it down- wow! So I think this might go a long way to helping with summer overheating. When the lows start to get back into the low 70's again, it will probably be time to switch back to the full screen.
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So it took me a looooooooooooong time, but I finally have my own shorty. Bought one of those spare windshields on 11-09-2013. Since I have an Xcreen clamp-on, adjustable windscreen extender, I need the top to stay straight, not round. And others say a 4" drop is needed. I went for a 5" drop, since I will be using the Xscreen with it and have more flexibility/options with it.
Drove to my friend's house and removed my old shield. Taped it up, marked 5" down, cut it with his band saw. It was surprisingly easy and effective. Then on the scrap I tested using a torch to try and melt the edge nice... um, that is not going to happen. The plastic either burns or bubbles or discolors. If I just wave it around a lot carefully then nothing happens. So we used an air powered handheld grinder with a plastic wool (?) pad and made the edges smooth and tapered.
It is far from a perfect cut, but it isn't that bad either... most people would probably not even notice. Only driven once with it, yet, and that was tonight... and it was 70F, so I had it fully up and with the Xscreen half engaged. With it down- wow! So I think this might go a long way to helping with summer overheating. When the lows start to get back into the low 70's again, it will probably be time to switch back to the full screen.
Yep, using a band saw is the way to go. You should have used a heat gun instead of a torch, Max. I used a file and then some wet/dry sandpaper when I did my cut down.
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Yep, using a band saw is the way to go. You should have used a heat gun instead of a torch, Max. I used a file and then some wet/dry sandpaper when I did my cut down.
My friend did mention "let's try a heat gun instead", but then we couldn't find it! (He has a hell of a lot of tools)
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So it took me a looooooooooooong time, but I finally have my own shorty. Bought one of those spare windshields on 11-09-2013. Since I have an Xcreen clamp-on, adjustable windscreen extender, I need the top to stay straight, not round. And others say a 4" drop is needed. I went for a 5" drop, since I will be using the Xscreen with it and have more flexibility/options with it.
And attached is a photo (finally) of it with the Xscreen mounted on top. Highest riding temp so far has been 86F, so it will be getting much hotter later. But already I can tell this was a wonderful modification and I am very pleased. With 5" shorter, I can now get air all over my whole chest (instead of just my neck with the stock screen) so the ride is SO much cooler. And since the night lows can still plummet in the 60's right now (occasionally), the Xscreen on top is wonderful because I can adjust it to make the cut screen taller than the stock screen, when I both a few inches (with the power controls). I have a lot of flexibility. As with many mods, I wish I had this years ago...
The only hard part will be determining when to switch back to the full-sized screen.