Possible reason for RT windshield support cracks

[StanProff]

UPDATE !!!!!!! I WAS WRONG ! UPON FUTHER INSPECTION, The stops are not metal. As much as it looks like metal in the photos it is not. I took a small file and it seems to be a hard plastic. I don't know if this could affect the arm durability or not.

I have been keeping check on the windshield bracket as some have been reporting failure. A few, more than one, has been replaced twice. In the pics you can see the rub marks on the arm and the metal "stop" that the bracket comes to rest on when it is in the lowest position. This may or may not have any thing to do with the bracket failures but it is possible that if excess pressure is on the arm when it is against the rest, or the arm may be bouncing on it I am sure it would accelerate failure of the arm. The metel would act as a blade on the aluminum arm and would damage it. Luckly mine has no visible cracks other than the shiney rub spots that you can see in the photo's. The right side has rubbed more than the left. It looks to me that it wouldn't take much to cause a stress facture of the Arm. Mine is a 2010 RTS, about 18,000 miles on it. There is no "Play" in the windshield brackets, it is snug and does not wiggle left or right or up or down.

 

[Bob Denman]

Very nice Detective work Stan! :2thumbs:
Now... What can we do about it?
(Mine is being replaced this week...)

 

[StanProff]

Very nice Detective work Stan! :2thumbs:
Now... What can we do about it?
(Mine is being replaced this week...)

Seems to me that the Arm should come to rest on something softer than it is and not a harder metel edge. That edge sticking up just can't be good on the aluminum Arm. Did you notice where yours cracked?

 

[Bob Denman]

Actually; I didn't pay much attention after I saw if flopping about... pps:
I'll take a closer look in the morning...
Do you think that it'd be possible to take a file to that stop; thin it down, and add a thin rubber pad to it?
Or would that cause the stop to break loose?

 

[Illinois Boy]

opcorn: I have not had any trouble yet (cross my fingers). I ride with mine in the full-down position 99% of the time. (I am too short to see over it otherwise. :roflblack

In an opposite approach to your thoughts, I always wondered if those having cracked brackets rode with their shields in full-up position most of the time. I have asked this question numerous times, but those having the problem never answered it.

So... I'll ask again to see if the problem can be narrowed-down to a more specific cause (or not).

QUESTION FOR THOSE WHO HAD THEIR WINDSHIELD BRACKET CRACK:

Is your shield in the full-up position most of the time?

Or is it in the full-down position most of the time?

Please answer if you would...:thumbup:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Mine broke last summer and we also determined that it seems to rub in the lowest position which is where I always had it. After replacing it I started keeping it about 1/2" up from the lowest position. I didn't have any further problems with it in the next 20,000 miles.

 

[Bob Denman]

I tend to run with it down about 75% of the time...
From now on though; I'll "store" it on the 2nd floor! :thumbup:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I had a 2010 and Bob has a 2010 and the OP has a 2010. Has anybody had this happen on a new machine or did they change the design?

 

[Jeriatric]

I had a 2010 and Bob has a 2010 and the OP has a 2010. Has anybody had this happen on a new machine or did they change the design?

2011 here. Just checked the bumper and it is either plastic, or it's a *non magnetic material coated with plastic. Best guess, all plastic.

*tested with magnet.

 

[StanProff]

Actually; I didn't pay much attention after I saw if flopping about... pps:
I'll take a closer look in the morning...
Do you think that it'd be possible to take a file to that stop; thin it down, and add a thin rubber pad to it?
Or would that cause the stop to break loose?

that's not a bad idea. the Stop seems to be very solid. I am going to go look at it again, a rubber pad would be much better than metal to metal contact.

 

[Bob Denman]

We'll all be awaiting your report on what you find...:thumbup:

 

[Firefly]

I've not seen any problem with mine, but have kept a close eye on it.

Someone mentioned aluminum.....not sure that's right for the supports... might be the cheap pot metal crap they used to make various other parts.

I think the supports should be made out of PLASTIC...... black, pretty hard plastic.
That would hold up better, not fracture or crack.


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[AbNormy]

Sales

I've not seen any problem with mine, but have kept a close eye on it.

Someone mentioned aluminum.....not sure that's right for the supports... might be the cheap pot metal crap they used to make various other parts.

I think the supports should be made out of PLASTIC...... black, pretty hard plastic.
That would hold up better, not fracture or crack.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

But then they wouldn't sell so many now would they?

 

[Captain Fin]

Always up

I keep mine up to the max always and at 15000 miles on a 2011 RTS no problem. I am hearing a little rattle sound at low speed from the wind screen that I need to check out. Thanks for the information.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm wondering...
My bike took that frontal impact a while backpps:; I wonder if that could have been the root cause of the recent parts failures that I'm seeing?

 

[Firefly]

I change the windshield height all the time... On every ride. I wouldn't mind it being hooked up to the speedometer.... Like the volume control.....;-)

Down in the city, up on the highway. In the middle most back roads

 

[Jeriatric]

I'm wondering...
My bike took that frontal impact a while backpps:; I wonder if that could have been the root cause of the recent parts failures that I'm seeing?

Could be. They may even help cover the cost of those failed parts. You should run it by your insurance guy. :roflblack::roflblack::joke::doorag:

 

[Bob Denman]

He's a :cus:, and nothing is ever covered... :gaah:
But I DID give it a lttle thought...

 

[StanProff]

I change the windshield height all the time... On every ride. I wouldn't mind it being hooked up to the speedometer.... Like the volume control.....;-)

Down in the city, up on the highway. In the middle most back roads

I have had the same thought, I always seem to run mine down in the city and nudge it back up on the highway. Not only would it be cool (watching it automaticlly go down) it would be functional as well. we need to figure out how to do this.

 

[reverendg]

I've not seen any problem with mine, but have kept a close eye on it.

Someone mentioned aluminum.....not sure that's right for the supports... might be the cheap pot metal crap they used to make various other parts.

I think the supports should be made out of PLASTIC...... black, pretty hard plastic.
That would hold up better, not fracture or crack.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

You mean like the rod ends for the sway bar?:sour::joke::yikes: