ADDING A VENT TO WINDSHIELD

HELLO TO ALL,

Since I do not really have the money for a F4 windshield, I guess I'll try installing a vent in my present factory windshield. I've got nothing to loose by trying---if I scrap it out, I'll just have to buy a new one with a vent. There are several posts from members that say the Goldwing vent is the best fit ( at least a few years ago). Is this still the case ? Should I buy the vent for the GL1500 or the GL1800 ? I have read that folks have installed both successfully. Thanks again ---Dan

PS---I have made the modifications to my trailer hitch for those who have helped me on that project. We'll see how it holds up. I believe I know why the Show Chrome hitch is troublesome for some riders. I will try to post my thoughts at a later time.

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Originally Posted by Daniel Ward

HELLO TO ALL,

Since I do not really have the money for a F4 windshield, I guess I'll try installing a vent in my present factory windshield. I've got nothing to loose by trying---if I scrap it out, I'll just have to buy a new one with a vent. There are several posts from members that say the Goldwing vent is the best fit ( at least a few years ago). Is this still the case ? Should I buy the vent for the GL1500 or the GL1800 ? I have read that folks have installed both successfully. Thanks again ---Dan

PS---I have made the modifications to my trailer hitch for those who have helped me on that project. We'll see how it holds up. I believe I know why the Show Chrome hitch is troublesome for some riders. I will try to post my thoughts at a later time.

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Somehow that sentence just doesn't compute.

Why not read through the windshield threads and the opinions expressed, then make your own decision?

Thank you for your reply----Dan

try 7jurock windshields, I did, cheaper

After my OEM windshield was so bad that I could not "see" out of it I bought a New windshield with he vent. After 18K going though windshields gets costly and a 1 time one that holds up to all was worth the extra. Here in New Mexico all the roads are repaired with stone and oil. Even car do not last over 20K before looking like your in a fog all day. Stone chips are very hard and them and if no front protective covers on all the paint jobs looks like a sand blasting in a short time. All depends on your riding environment. Here was actually cheaper to just replace than to modify.

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Originally Posted by Woodaddict

try 7jurock windshields, I did, cheaper

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Do you like the new shield,does it help in getting rid of the buffeting ?

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Originally Posted by Daniel Ward

HELLO TO ALL,

Since I do not really have the money for a F4 windshield, I guess I'll try installing a vent in my present factory windshield. I've got nothing to loose by trying---if I scrap it out, I'll just have to buy a new one with a vent. There are several posts from members that say the Goldwing vent is the best fit ( at least a few years ago). Is this still the case ? Should I buy the vent for the GL1500 or the GL1800 ? I have read that folks have installed both successfully. Thanks again ---Dan

PS---I have made the modifications to my trailer hitch for those who have helped me on that project. We'll see how it holds up. I believe I know why the Show Chrome hitch is troublesome for some riders. I will try to post my thoughts at a later time.

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I bought a GW vent on the cheap from fleabay with the thought of installing it on the Spyder. However, I abandoned the project when it became obvious the curvature of the windshields are different enough to make it problematic. It can and has been done by others, but for me, being somewhat OCD, the fit was not satisfactory.

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Originally Posted by stmike 1800

Do you like the new shield,does it help in getting rid of the buffeting ?

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yes it helps a lot. I got the 2" higher reverse curve, plus its about 2" wider each side. I got a Russell day long seat that raised me up about 1 & 1/2", then stock windshield would buffet me right in helmet at highest setting. now I can ride in lowest setting, and only use higher or highest for rain, or maybe really cold rides. wife doesn't complain about any buffeting, same as before for her

http://www.spyderrt.info/u-do-it

Highwayman,
The link you gave leads to a website that sells a GoldWing 1500 vent.
Do you know if the curvature of that vent matches the RT windshields?
Thanks

It fit on Inspector Gadgets 2010 RT windscreen, that's why he lists it there on his website, he's done all those mods or helped others do them.
If you go to the Gallery link at the top of his page you can see more pics of his install as well.
And if you want IG says email him at spyderrt@yahoo.com

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Originally Posted by gjklockhart

Highwayman,
The link you gave leads to a website that sells a GoldWing 1500 vent.
Do you know if the curvature of that vent matches the RT windshields?
Thanks

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It was mentioned above, that it isn't an exact match for the curvature ...... If you mount it a bit above where you think it should go, it will work ....The OEM windshield ( this is the one I checked it on ) flattens out the further you are from the bottom of the shield ........... No it's not PERFECT but it's DARN close :thumbup::thumbup:.............Mike :bbq:

Is adding a dyi vent rocket science? Ie if one was to drill a couple of 1” or greater holes would that be sufficient to break the windshield produced vacuum effect? Would the height of the holes matter? What about a NACA shaped vent....ok that one is crazy...any other McGuyvers out there?

I added a vent to my 1990 HD flhs some years ago. Used a Goldwing vent, positioned it so it would flow air about armpit height to cool my upper chest, neck and face. Hardest part was getting the position level, and taping off to not scratch the shield. Also used a fine tooth metal cutting blade in a jigsaw and went slow to cut the hole. On an older bike I did use the round aircraft style snapvent on the windshield (Vetter also used these on the Windjammer fairing on the picture below ) and they worked well and were easy to fit, that may be an option.

BTW - I have a very good condition Honda Vent from a GL1500 sitting around in the garage,. $1 plus postage. PO of our GL1800 Champion trike put it on an aftermarket windshield, but it didn't fit quite right. I installed an 1800 vent, fit perfect. The radius seems to be slightly different.

Just drilling holes, besides the obvious tendencies to crack and propagate unless any rough edges are smoothed out, could lead to whistling or other unfavorable noise. Don't really know, just guessing. Vents are designed to regulate the air flow through the vent and direct it to where you want it to go. :dontknow:

I do not know specifically about adding a vent, but, I have cut material from one of my windshields. I have a California Scientific windshield that I wanted to shorten a bit. I masked off the top portion with masking tape, marked it and cut it with a jigsaw. Then I sanded down the edges. An additional point of interest, the California Scientific windscreens have a hole cut for ventilation to minimise turbulence but they do not add any louvers in the cutout. You can see the cutout in this photo.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...1&d=1449091059

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Originally Posted by Lin

I do not know specifically about adding a vent, but, I have cut material from one of my windshields. I have a California Scientific windshield that I wanted to shorten a bit. I masked off the top portion with masking tape, marked it and cut it with a jigsaw. Then I sanded down the edges. An additional point of interest, the California Scientific windscreens have a hole cut for ventilation to minimise turbulence but they do not add any louvers in the cutout. You can see the cutout in this photo.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...1&d=1449091059

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I have cut down several windshields in the past, so I’m ok working with plastics, that cut out on attachment looks kinda NACA ish in shape.
A tip with plastic cut edges is to sand to 400 grit or higher then a quick careful wipe with original (yellow/red label) Rapid Tap will give you that grey finished look

A decent vented windshield will move the turblence caused by the windshield up and over the driver. It's got to move enough air to fill the low pressure area behind the shield. A few small holes won't do it. I put a GW vent on my Valkyire's windshield and it worked great. On the :spyder2: I went with the CanAm vented shield and it works perfect.

If you want to add a vent to your existing RT windshield you can do this fairly easy based on how handy you are with a dremel or a jig saw. The GL1800 vent is the best one to use.
This works good in an OEM windshield or another polycarbonate shield like F4 but we do not recommend trying this in an acrylic shields.
First mask off using standard masking tape the location you want to add the vent on the front of the windshield. Mask a large area so your cutting device if a jig saw base does not touch the windscreen and scratch it.
Then get a template (which F4 Customs can give you if you order the vent from them). Trace the vent on the masking tape. Drill a starting hole if using a jig saw. Standard drill is fine. Saw out the vent hole having someone hold the windshield as you cut it. Safety glasses are recommended. Once this is cut out take a dremel with a sanding drum and sand the surface to remove the saw cut marks and also make the opening to the line you traced. Once this is done take the dremel drum sander and put a small chamfer on the front and back of the hole opening to take off the sharp edges. The vent should fit with a little bit a clearance. You don't want a tight fit around the edges to allow the vent to expand and retract with the heat that the sun provides on those hot days.
The steps are the same with a dremel and a cutting tool.
Hope this helps.
Don Frank
F4 Customs Inc
330-968-4644

How does one determine what an aftermarket shield is made of? I can find no markings of any kind

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Originally Posted by Geep

How does one determine what an aftermarket shield is made of? I can find no markings of any kind

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That is a tough one if there is no marking. After years of working in the industry I can tell by tapping on the shield and looking at the edge but not sure how to explain this in an e-mail