Cutting Windshield

[rhoule1]

I'm kind of short and would like to look over my windshield when fully down, is there any trick to cutting, say, an inch off the top? I've been to several glass shops and a plastic supply shop and they both said they wouldn't touch it because it's a curved surface. Has any one had success at cutting the windshield?

Roger

 

[Big Arm]

Do a search here. There are several post on this subject.

 

[JPV]

I've cut two so far and they both turned out great. I have the 25" touring shield now and I did'nt like the way it looked(like a big toe nail)so I cut off about 3/4" to round it off a bit. I used the sport shield as a template and that gave it a bit of a curve. There's step by step info. on the internet,just google cut a motorcycle windshield.:thumbup:

 

[canam9]

I've cut two so far and they both turned out great. I have the 25" touring shield now and I did'nt like the way it looked(like a big toe nail)so I cut off about 3/4" to round it off a bit. I used the sport shield as a template and that gave it a bit of a curve. There's step by step info. on the internet,just google cut a motorcycle windshield.:thumbup:

You just have to love the internet. :ani29:

 

[chris56]

cutted it twice 2inch on the top - and than 1,5inch on the sides - still is a perfect touring shield ...
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/album.php?albumid=227&pictureid=10451
chris

 

[1VENOM]

I'm kind of short and would like to look over my windshield when fully down, is there any trick to cutting, say, an inch off the top? I've been to several glass shops and a plastic supply shop and they both said they wouldn't touch it because it's a curved surface. Has any one had success at cutting the windshield?

Roger

Here's what I did, it workout great. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18653
I hope this helps you out.

 

[Smylinacha]

HDX cut all my windshields when I had two wheels because I am only 5 feet tall. He made a template out of cardboard, took a wax pencil and traced the cut line onto the windshield.

then he put blue tape on it to further enhance the cut line and protect the rest of the shield from any scratches. Took a jig saw and cut it. Then sanded where he cut. He's cut alot of people's windshields for them. Takes 1/2 hour at the most. From prep to finish.

 

[sinkhole]

cutting plastic windscreen...

Over the years, I have installed many plastic aircraft windshields, and in my experience a reciprocating saw, of any kind, is the worse tool to use for trimming plastic. Reciprocating devices cause excessive vibration, and the nature of the tooth set can creat stress points which leads to cracking.
A much safer way is to use either a high speed abrasive tool with a thin disk, or a high speed trimming router with a 1/8" straight cutter. Both of these will generate enough heat to melt the material along the cut line and reduce rough edges that can cause stress cracks.
The edge will still need to be polished and rounded slightly to remove any tool marks.
Wear eye protection!

 

[NancysToy]

Over the years, I have installed many plastic aircraft windshields, and in my experience a reciprocating saw, of any kind, is the worse tool to use for trimming plastic. Reciprocating devices cause excessive vibration, and the nature of the tooth set can creat stress points which leads to cracking.
A much safer way is to use either a high speed abrasive tool with a thin disk, or a high speed trimming router with a 1/8" straight cutter. Both of these will generate enough heat to melt the material along the cut line and reduce rough edges that can cause stress cracks.
The edge will still need to be polished and rounded slightly to remove any tool marks.
Wear eye protection!

:agree: If you must use a reciprocating saw or saber saw, use a fine tooth blade and go very slowly. It also helps to cut away from the desired line by about 1/8", and then carefully grind to the line, eliminating any microscopic stress cracks in the process. Polishing the edge is the best, but often shows up as a bright reflection. Youcan also follow the grinding with a very fine grit sandpaper to finish smoothing, and leave a dull, non-reflective edge.

 

[SpyderFun]

Over the years, I have installed many plastic aircraft windshields, and in my experience a reciprocating saw, of any kind, is the worse tool to use for trimming plastic. Reciprocating devices cause excessive vibration, and the nature of the tooth set can creat stress points which leads to cracking.
A much safer way is to use either a high speed abrasive tool with a thin disk, or a high speed trimming router with a 1/8" straight cutter. Both of these will generate enough heat to melt the material along the cut line and reduce rough edges that can cause stress cracks.
The edge will still need to be polished and rounded slightly to remove any tool marks.
Wear eye protection!

:agree: :agree:

A hand held hi-speed cutting tool also offers the user better control over a curved surface/cut that you cannot get with a bandsaw or fixed blade. There is a reason the aviation field has used this type of tool for years - because it works.

 

[M2Wild]

Can I cut the fender plastic the same way? Using a dremal tool?

 

[rhoule1]

Cutting windshield

I considered the thread that mentioned a Harley shop in Florida that recommended a place that cut windshields, so I went to a Harley shop here in New Hampshire and they gave me the name of a glass shop. I took the windshield into them and while I waited they cut and polished it for me. The cost was $36.00 but what a great job they did. It took less than 30 minutes.Thanks for all the feedback to my inquiry.

Roger

 

[SpyderFun]

For anything less than the cost of a replacement shield, I would give serious consideration to having people do this kind of work daily the task of knocking off an inch or two.

And has Dremal has resin impregnated type cutting wheels that can cut very well thru plastic. Firm grip and let the tool do the work - DO NOT FORCE OR RUSH IT.

 

[sinkhole]

cutting plastic windscreens...

Over the years we found that the best tool for this type job was an air powered, high speed cut-off tool with a 2" thin (1/32" - 1/16") cut-off disk.
As was mentioned earlier, get a good grip on the tool, and support your hand/arm on the piece being cut. Cut slightly outside the line until you get a "feel" for the process, then file, sand, polish for a smooth finish. :2thumbs:

 

[Donzo]

A band saw works real well also - you may have to make a couple cuts depending on how much you are triming and how deep the band saw is.