Windshield replacement, how to?

[Muleears]

I have a Cee Bailey windshield for my new bike. Is windshield replacement as easy as it looks? Just remove the mirrors, the molding and I assume the screws under the molding? If not, someone please tell me what I'm in for!

[SgtSlag]

It is that easy. Look at the new windshield, and you should see slots, rather than holes. Most (all? -- been a while) screws only need to be loosened, not removed.

Be sure not to over-tighten all of the screws! This can crack the new screen, rendering it scrap...

Be sure to loosely fix it in place, sit on the bike, and make sure the height is correct for you (able to sit up straight, maybe stretch a little, to see over the top -- for those times when it fogs up). Then tighten up a bit, but not too hard... Put all of the hardware, and covers back in place, attach the mirrors, and you will be done. Cheers!

[Muleears]

It is that easy. Look at the new windshield, and you should see slots, rather than holes. Most (all? -- been a while) screws only need to be loosened, not removed.

Be sure not to over-tighten all of the screws! This can crack the new screen, rendering it scrap...

Be sure to loosely fix it in place, sit on the bike, and make sure the height is correct for you (able to sit up straight, maybe stretch a little, to see over the top -- for those times when it fogs up). Then tighten up a bit, but not too hard... Put all of the hardware, and covers back in place, attach the mirrors, and you will be done. Cheers!

Thanks. Its good to know at least some things are as easy as they appear. I've been working the last two days replacing the rear calipers on my sons Golf....
enough said...

[debron]

There are two screws in the windshield that do have to come all the way out but it's obvious which ones. (If they are still there - mine are missing now because the little "backing" nuts fell out and I couldn't find them - they're still hiding somewhere behind the dash! Doesn't seem to matter, though.) The slots in the bottom of the windshield are to allow for about a 1" height adjustment up or down depending on your preference for your particular windshield.

Also be aware of the position of the rubber seal on the dash side of the windshield. The manual shows laying a piece of string under that seal before you put the windshield on so that you can pull up on the string after the windshield is installed to uncurl the seal. That worked great (and was needed) on my '01 but for some reason it has never been necessary on my '95.

[Muleears]

There are two screws in the windshield that do have to come all the way out but it's obvious which ones. (If they are still there - mine are missing now because the little "backing" nuts fell out and I couldn't find them - they're still hiding somewhere behind the dash! Doesn't seem to matter, though.) The slots in the bottom of the windshield are to allow for about a 1" height adjustment up or down depending on your preference for your particular windshield.

Also be aware of the position of the rubber seal on the dash side of the windshield. The manual shows laying a piece of string under that seal before you put the windshield on so that you can pull up on the string after the windshield is installed to uncurl the seal. That worked great (and was needed) on my '01 but for some reason it has never been necessary on my '95.

Thanks again for more shrewd advice. I had seen the string (or cord) trick done on installing car windows. It never occured to me I would need it here. Of course until I curled it over and couldn't get it out.... THEN I would realize I needed it!

[voyager55]

I have a Cee Bailey, 3 x 4 larger than stock. Great wind protection, can't feel any wind on my helmet either.

[Lucasind]

I was looking at your pic of your windshield, noticing the 2 upward ,same type of strikes,causing the damage, then thinking about your fairing damage, ... did P. O. mention the cause of damage ? deer hit ? just curious . ...by the way, I too have a CEE BAILEY windshield, 4" higher 3 " wider....... LOVE it .............tony

[Muleears]

I was looking at your pic of your windshield, noticing the 2 upward ,same type of strikes,causing the damage, then thinking about your fairing damage, ... did P. O. mention the cause of damage ? deer hit ? just curious . ...by the way, I too have a CEE BAILEY windshield, 4" higher 3 " wider....... LOVE it .............tony

PO claimed to have gotten too close to a brick wall. Scrubbing the right side and of course turning the handle bars so he turned further into the wall. Bike fell and scratched up the windshield. Thats the story anyway! I see no damage on the saddlebag or anywhere else on that side. The windshield does have two cracks, one at each lower corner.

[Chris near Kansas City]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTHwr6AGYCw

[Muleears]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTHwr6AGYCw

Great vid, makes it look really simple! Thanks

[Muleears]

Installed the windshield this morning, went as planned. Can't hope for more than that!

The video was a big help and I'm glad you pointed it out to me, but it took longer to watch the video than it did to replace the windshield. It's a 15 minute job and the vid is 30+! I think he goes into a little too much detail about which phillips head to use and such. If you don't know, you have no business replacing the windshield on a motorcycle

[Chris near Kansas City]

The video was a big help

.......but it took longer to watch the video than it did to replace the windshield. It's a 15 minute job and the vid is 30+! I think he goes into a little too much detail about which phillips head to use and such. If you don't know, you have no business replacing the windshield on a motorcycle

Ouch.

There are usually reasons for going into that kind of detail and turning a 15 minute job into a 30 minute video. Most of them, I explained in the video. (Yes, twas I in the vid.) 25 years in working with the general public has taught me that none of them, NONE of them, that have no business doing something, aren't smart enough to stop before they screw something up. It doesn't matter if it's a bicycle for their daughter's birthday or a brake job on their F150, they'll use pliers instead of a socket wrench or won't put Loctite on the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (even though there is some funny looking yellow stuff on the bolt they took out).

[carl leo]

there is never too much information when dealing with a new project. chris is correct that going into deep detail will often prevent a simple repair going wrong. i see on a daily basis bodges that could have been avoided just by reading the next paragraph in the service manual.

[Chris near Kansas City]

.....assuming they even have a manual......

[Lucasind]

.....god rest my father's soul , one of his favorite sayings.... "when all else fails. read the instructions" I realize that he did not create that saying .... but when your 5 and hear it often, you think he did !....................... tony

[Muleears]

Ouch.
[/quote]

My apologies. I never should have said what I did, especially knowing as little as I do about these motorcycles. The folks such as yourself, who take the time to answer my questions and make videos showing me how to make repairs and modifications should be commended not insulted. I was way out of line. Please accept my sincere apology for the comments I made. It will not happen again.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Tomorrow is a new day.