CHAD install

[Jim Haebe]

Good evening all. I installed my windscreen last week. Very nice hardware etc. Just looking at it I was sure it was not going to give me the coverage that I was used to from my FLHT fairing. Using a level, I placed one end of it on the top of the windscreen and holding it in the level position, I measured from the level to the seat. My FLHT was 32", and the CHAD measured 26.5" to the top of the Spyder seat. Just to make sure that my comparison held up, I went for a spin. Just going around 45mph there was significant buffeting of my helmet. As I was going on a trip last weekend, I was not looking forward to 800 miles plus of my head being tossed every which way. I cooked these up and the results were markedly better. I offset the lower windscreen mount by 3", thereby raising the top of the screen by that much. I am now within about 2.5" of the height of my FLHT windscreen. Now I just get some wind noise. I used my hand to feel around my helmet while I was at speed on the interstate, and only at the very top was there any real turbulence. I also used my hand to feel around the CHAD directly behind the screen and it is absolutely quiescent. Not sure I understand why but good enough for now. I do not know how much extra load I have placed on the mount and the 4 mount screws. I can live with it the way it is for now. I would love to have a way to see this thing in action in a windtunnel using smoke. That would let us see what can be done to improve things. Thanks for reading this long winded post..

Click here for photos

 

[jeuchler]

Thanks for reading this long winded post..

Click here for photos

Another nice bit of machining, Jim.

"...Longwinded post...." :roflblack:

 

[fastfraser]

:2thumbs: Nice neat looking job, hope it works out for you.

 

[NancysToy]

Did you try adjusting the angle first? Just curious. It takes a bit of fiddling to get the CHAD to the right angle and height for each rider. There is more to an effective windshield than height alone.
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

There is more to an effective windshield than height alone.
-Scotty

+1

 

[Lamonster]

Did you try adjusting the angle first? Just curious. It takes a bit of fiddling to get the CHAD to the right angle and height for each rider. There is more to an effective windshield than height alone.
-Scotty

I think he just likes to make things.

 

[Tom in NM]

another alternative . . .

Jim, nice work. I really miss having access to a shop with all the tools required to lathe, weld and paint. To the few of you that do - don't ever give it up.

I looked at the CHAD, but besides asethics of the windscreen shape, not being able to test it, made it likely I would be spending $300 plus to end up with something I would have to do a ton of mods on in order to get it to work for me. I know that it works well for most of the people who post on here, but given all my "factors" ( as Scotty and Brian mentioned ) - it was too much money for just another shield to add to my collection.

I did get pointed to this, RoboBrackets by Madstad ;

http://www.madstad.com/s.nl/sc.10/.f

They actually look pretty similar to what you did, but without the CHAD hardware base.

The company seems to have a very good reputation and the price looks like it is going to be well under the cost of just buying the CHAD hardware. Plus, it will allow me to use some of the windshields that I have just laying around. I am looking forward to trying this out.

By the way, sorry I couldn't connect with you up in Taos, I started out, but ended up in Jemez Springs. Maybe next time.

Tom

 

[bjt]

I did get pointed to this, RoboBrackets by Madstad ;

http://www.madstad.com/s.nl/sc.10/.f

They actually look pretty similar to what you did, but without the CHAD hardware base.

The company seems to have a very good reputation and the price looks like it is going to be well under the cost of just buying the CHAD hardware. Plus, it will allow me to use some of the windshields that I have just laying around. I am looking forward to trying this out.

By the way, sorry I couldn't connect with you up in Taos, I started out, but ended up in Jemez Springs. Maybe next time.

Tom

Deb and I have one set of the Madstad Robobrackets on the way. We'll let you know what we think once we get them and get to play with them. The owner is a nice guy and talked with Debbie on the phone for quite a while, giving a little history behind his brackets and the other two adjustable windshields. Our ultimate goal is to use his bracket with our F1 windshields but he wanted us to try it with his windshield first, before we drilled extra holes in our F1's.

 

[Tom in NM]

That Deb is sure a charmer . . . .

Deb and I have one set of the Madstad Robobrackets on the way. We'll let you know what we think once we get them and get to play with them. The owner is a nice guy and talked with Debbie on the phone for quite a while, giving a little history behind his brackets and the other two adjustable windshields. Our ultimate goal is to use his bracket with our F1 windshields but he wanted us to try it with his windshield first, before we drilled extra holes in our F1's.

Agreed, Mark seems to be a very nice guy. He didn't stand a chance of saying "No" to Deb once she got him on the phone.

I am very interested in what you think about the brackets, they look like they will work very well for me.

Tom

 

[dltang]

Agreed, Mark seems to be a very nice guy. He didn't stand a chance of saying "No" to Deb once she got him on the phone.

I am very interested in what you think about the brackets, they look like they will work very well for me.

Tom

Thanks for the compliment Tom. Mark is a very nice man and he asked me to please give him a very honest review of his bracket system, the good, the bad and the ugly. If they work as well as I think they will, they will make a nice alternative for many spyder owners. By the way, all I did was send and email inquiry, he called me....

 

[rleathen]

The CHAD adjusting mechanism can be purchased by itself for $159.99 US. I just got one in my hands today to use with my 23" BRP Ultra touring.

 

[Jim Haebe]

CHAD install update.

Evening all. Just a quick update on my windscreen. In my haste to get the risers done, I did not have the hole that allows the fore and aft movement of the windscreen placed correctly. I was not able to get the full range of adjustment that the CHAD mount would normally allow. I adjusted the hole location, and I was able to push the windscreen fully forward. This was all that was needed to raise the turbulence above my helmet. All is good now..Thanks to all for your comments.....

 

[NancysToy]

Evening all. Just a quick update on my windscreen. In my haste to get the risers done, I did not have the hole that allows the fore and aft movement of the windscreen placed correctly. I was not able to get the full range of adjustment that the CHAD mount would normally allow. I adjusted the hole location, and I was able to push the windscreen fully forward. This was all that was needed to raise the turbulence above my helmet. All is good now..Thanks to all for your comments.....

:thumbup:
-Scotty