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Title: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on February 24, 2009, 09:42:51 AM I wanted a larger windscreen but didn't like the tombstone look of the sport tourer that is offered for my 01 S4. I wanted something more curved and stretched back for room to put a gps or radar detector . So I designed one out of wood to get the shape that I wanted so it can be used as a slug to vacuum mold scratch resistant tinted (or clear) Lexan. I found a shop near buy that does just that and it is getting made and should be done next week some time. They will keep a molded slug for production if it all works out. Here are some pictures of the wood slug and an simulation of what it will look like in tinted Lexan, only not as dark the material is a smoke color.What do you guys think?
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3306267473_555d7fb578.jpg?v=0) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3307097918_ed93ea943c.jpg?v=0) Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: OverCaffeinated on February 24, 2009, 10:12:15 AM Looks good. I think your design really compliments the rest of the fairing.
I've always wondered how much of a difference there is when riding having a windscreen? I have a dark model with no fairing. Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: grandpa nate on February 24, 2009, 10:22:57 AM Looks good. I think your design really compliments the rest of the fairing. I've always wondered how much of a difference there is when riding having a windscreen? I have a dark model with no fairing. Way back in 99 when I bought my first monster, it came w/a windscreen. As I was moving I left it on even though I didn't really like it. About 3-4 months later I took it off and was generally pleased with myself until I jumped on the freeway at my usual clip and needless to say the windscreen went back on when I got home. It is amazing how much that little piece o plastic does. Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: OverCaffeinated on February 24, 2009, 10:31:54 AM Way back in 99 when I bought my first monster, it came w/a windscreen. As I was moving I left it on even though I didn't really like it. About 3-4 months later I took it off and was generally pleased with myself until I jumped on the freeway at my usual clip and needless to say the windscreen went back on when I got home. It is amazing how much that little piece o plastic does. Wow. I thought the difference would be marginal at best. I might pick one up just to try it out. Thanks Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: Raux on February 24, 2009, 10:40:10 AM have you thought about a lip at the top to direct the wind over your helmet instead of at it?
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on February 24, 2009, 11:46:54 AM Raux I thought of that but I wanted it to have a sporty,agressive look to it which is why it curves back unstead of up but I notched the top so you can shove your helmet as close as possible. When I lean forward (how I would normally ride) the screen will direct the wind twards the top 2-3 inches of the helmet but if im on the tank (for long hauls) I will be completly out of the wind. Im a 5' 7" rider to get an idea of what it is based off of. I imagine a 6' tall rider would be tapping their helmet if they were to lay down on the tank but for anyone 5'9" and under it would work out about the same. I didnt get any pictures of me on the bike before I dropped the mold off, my bad. Heres a cool video I found on the strength of a Lexan windscreen. Maybe some of you run into these situations in your daily commute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsls5ZPCUnE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsls5ZPCUnE) Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: monster monkey on February 24, 2009, 12:20:59 PM If production is affordable, would you be willing to distribute? ;D
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on February 24, 2009, 12:36:49 PM Monster monkey yes that is my goal. Pricing will depend on how many would be interested, the more I have them do the better pricing they said. Once I get the first one back and ensure everything is cool I will derby the final product and see who might want one and take orders.
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: DucDucGoose on February 24, 2009, 02:38:09 PM Monster monkey yes that is my goal. Pricing will depend on how many would be interested, the more I have them do the better pricing they said. Once I get the first one back and ensure everything is cool I will derby the final product and see who might want one and take orders. If pricing is reasonable count me in for an order. smoked if available. [thumbsup] Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: DucDucGoose on March 12, 2009, 03:00:59 AM Any news on this screen?
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: ♣ McKraut ♣ on March 12, 2009, 04:31:21 AM If pricing is reasonable count me in for an order. smoked if available. [thumbsup] i might be interested in a smoked as well. Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on March 12, 2009, 08:35:46 AM I just talked to him today and he said they got busy and fell behind. He said it should be done this weekend. Doesnt it always seem like the same story? For some reason everyone always gets really busy after you drop your stuff off. Im just going to assume it will be another week.
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: Wedge on April 06, 2009, 11:13:47 AM Count me in! I'm looking for some more protection for a planned trip this summer. ;D
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on April 06, 2009, 12:04:03 PM I know, I call every week asking if its done and he assures me it will be done soon. If the guy didnt do such nice work I would find someone else but I would rather have patients and get something good than to rush it and get crap. Im having a hard time finding a rubber channel to go accross the top like the stock one has any idea where I could find something like that? I will keep you guys posted and get pictures up as soon as I can.
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: greenohawk69 on April 06, 2009, 12:20:31 PM Rubber channel...what about something in the plumbing area of the hardware store. Something that would possibly work with a shower door.
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: Privateer on April 07, 2009, 07:15:08 AM I know, I call every week asking if its done and he assures me it will be done soon. If the guy didnt do such nice work I would find someone else but I would rather have patients and get something good than to rush it and get crap. Im having a hard time finding a rubber channel to go accross the top like the stock one has any idea where I could find something like that? I will keep you guys posted and get pictures up as soon as I can. cycle gear sells a windscreen trim kit. saw it at the store last time i was there. Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on April 07, 2009, 09:50:13 AM Privateer, thanks thats perfect.
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=MRX_WT2_G (http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=MRX_WT2_G) Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on April 21, 2009, 04:17:07 AM Wow what a set back! I kept calling the guy who was going to produce these for me and kept getting told "this weekend". Well after 8 weeks or so I called again and was told hes trimming it out right now. I said I need it today can you do that he said "this takes time" I agreed and reminded him I was told it would be a week and a half and we are going on 8 weeks . Anyway long story short I got my original mold back and he never touched it! He lied ,he was supposed to have made a fiberglass mold for production use and a prototype windscreen and he did nothing! I spent this weekend searching for a new company to work with and found one 1 hour north of me. So I will be making the more durable fiberglass mold over the next few days ( like he was suppose to) and will do a sample out of regular acrylic as a prototype in house. What a shame that guy used to do such great work, oh well I'll give my money to someone else. I had a good hour long talk with the new company Monday and they are very helpfull and have a quick turn around rate ,they also have a lot more employees as well. I will keep you updated and post some pictures soon.
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: mitt on April 21, 2009, 05:05:28 AM that sucks - you would think in this economy he would be more motivated to do it.
mitt Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: redial on April 21, 2009, 05:19:07 AM Wow. I thought the difference would be marginal at best. I might pick one up just to try it out. Thanks haha! my last bike was fully faired (and 4 cyl to boot) i love my monster much more, but on the highway its like a cold slap in the face in comparison. Im not going back any time soon, and im not mounting a windscreen until my trip to the beach this summer, but ive hung up my "highway hooligan" days [thumbsup] heres my personal favorite, a friend has it on his bmw r1150r You can adjust the top part so you get some air in the chest, but not on the helmet [moto] (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/variations/9067-425x350.jpg) twistedthrottle.com Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on April 21, 2009, 03:09:03 PM Well a trip to the paint supply store 8 youtube videos later and I was off. The first mold turned out great (the negative) I just have to do a little sanding and get it silky smooth and hopefully by tomorrow night or the next day I should have the positive mold made baring no complications. I will then construct the vacuum table and attempt the first one this weekend.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3463103197_61ea230abd.jpg?v=0) Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on April 27, 2009, 04:16:14 PM Alright, the final mold came out great. I got a prototype done in my shop and it came out really nice (concidering). I need to make one small adjustment and then get a coat of epoxy applied to it. The piece I made in shop was a pain in the ass to get to 300 degrees and took a while in doing so, allowing dust and what not to land on my gooey acrylic leaving defects in the prototype but thats fine I was just searching for any fitting problems. Here are some photos.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3480993467_d6c3ab5e17.jpg?v=0) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3480994553_7cb959d6ec.jpg?v=0) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/3481800488_17fabe187d.jpg?v=0) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3481798340_24c5999899_m.jpg) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3481799368_2d4832a2e9.jpg?v=0) Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: flanman on April 27, 2009, 04:58:09 PM Thats pretty damn cool. [thumbsup]
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: ♣ McKraut ♣ on April 30, 2009, 12:33:49 PM i wish i could make stuff with my hands...
looking good man. Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on April 30, 2009, 01:15:15 PM Thanks, I just got the epoxy on the mold today so in 3 days or so I can give it another go. I also rebuilt the vacuum table bigger the first one (19"x19") didn't leave much room for extra material to be stretched the new one is 24x24. I also hooked it to the industrial 4" vacuum in my shop and that made a world of difference. So I will do one more prototype in my shop and then I turn it over to the pro to produce the final product.
Title: Re: I designed a new windscreen. Post by: eichh on May 11, 2009, 01:56:46 PM Here's the latest of in house made ones. The only problem left with me vacuum molding it in house seems to be the moisture in the acrylic develops tiny bubbles once you get it up to temp creating a slight distortion. The solution is drying it in an oven prior to thermoforming it,unfortunately I don't have an oven big enough to fit a 24x24" piece in. And property taxes just came in the mail so this project will have to wait a bit before I drop it off at the pros shop.The good news is it fits the radar detector great and there is plenty of room to fit a gps. I rode a good 100 miles the other day with it and the only wind I felt was on the upper portion of my helmet so if I get caught in the rain or want to drop the hammer and haul ass I can easily duck behind it to get out of the rain or wind completely.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3522802597_ba31df0f43.jpg?v=0) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3522801543_ac1db9de90.jpg?v=0) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3522806153_c88cdf1a3c.jpg?v=0) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3522808649_ee0c1a24c5.jpg?v=0) |