windscreen alternative

[redReno_imp]

I took it out for some quality time at highway speeds today. It works just great for me. All of the wind pressure on my upper body is gone, all the way up to the lower part of my helmet. The wind starts picking up again at the lower edge of the visor. That works out nicely as it allows the helmet's ventilation system to work, which is much appreciated here in the desert (it was about 95 degrees this afternoon).

The shield itself was solid as a rock at speed. I had it up to 95 mph and it didn't budge. There is a little bit of vibration at at low speed. I need to go back and do the "preload" procedure, where you adjust the shield to just touch the headlight housing, which keeps it from jiggling at low speed.

The adjustment on the shield is almost infinite. There are three points on each side where adjustments can be made. The upper rake adjustment, the sliding tubes and the handlebar mount.




I like that it doesn't really distract from the basic look of the bike.




I like it so much, I'll be ordering one next week for the CB750. I normally remove the big Plexi 3 for summer riding and just put up with the wind pressure, but it seems well worth it. As a bonus, the handlebar mounts on the Plexi 3 are the same, so swapping between the two should be a piece of cake.

Popgun : The distance from the top of the key to the top edge of the shield is 11 inches. That's with the bottom of the shield on top of the headlight and the rake set to just clear the gauge cluster by about 1/4". That's about as low as it goes, but the shield can easily be adjusted higher, with whatever rake angle you prefer. If you look at the CB1100 picture on NC's website, their adjustment is much higher. A couple of inches above the headlight.

I am liking the look of your CB11 with that windshield, it really looks great. I still have my plexi 2 from my NH, I only had it on in the winter. Maybe I too will go with the deflector for summer riding.

[the Ferret]

That looks very nice. Doesn't mess with the lines at all.

I have the slimstreamer version of that shield and tried to put it on he other day, but the arms are too short.

[flynrider]

That looks very nice. Doesn't mess with the lines at all.

I have the slimstreamer version of that shield and tried to put it on he other day, but the arms are too short.

I was actually considering the Slipstreamer S-06 Spitfire before I bought the NC. It's a similar shape and size and would probably look good as well.

I don't care for the way the arms of the Slipsteamer system protude out the backside of the handlebar. I had an old one that I installed on my CB750 and found out (after the fact) that the arms would contact the tank when the bar was turned full lock. Ouch! If it was adjusted so the arms would stay clear of the tank, the rake was to far forward.

The NC costs $50 more than the Slipstreamer, but I think the vastly better mounting system is worth the price.

[jamboa_imp]

This is a modified Memphis Shades Demon windscreen installed today. Not ridden yet. I had to have the stock rod mounting bars welded to the 2" longer available from Memphis Shades.

[Lord Popgun]

Thanks Flynrider. Great writeup and info. I appreciate it.

[ron1100_imp]

Flynnrider,

Thanks for the feedback. I really like the looks. Two questions:

1. When detaching the shield, what components remain on the bike? Do they look unsightly when riding without the shield?
2. What is your height and inseam? I'm 5' 8" with a 30 inseam and wondering if this will work for me.

Thanks.

[flynrider]

Flynnrider,

Thanks for the feedback. I really like the looks. Two questions:

1. When detaching the shield, what components remain on the bike? Do they look unsightly when riding without the shield?
2. What is your height and inseam? I'm 5' 8" with a 30 inseam and wondering if this will work for me.

Thanks.

There are two knobs at the handlebar mount. Unscrew those and everything but the clamps on the handlebars disappears. They're black and right under the master cylinders, so they're hardly noticeable .

Size-wise, we match up perfectly. I'm also 5'8" with a 30 inch inseam.

[ron1100_imp]

Great! Thanks for your responses. I think this is the one for me as well.

[redReno_imp]

National Cycle has updated their Products by bike tab and it now includes the CB1100

http://shop.nationalcycle.com/perl/cycle...del=hd-148

I'm a little disappointed I didn't see any of the F-Series windshields on there.

Wow, they must have just done that. I was on their site on Thursday and they still didn't have it listed.

I think the gauge package might be a bit too tall for some of the F-series shields (or maybe they just haven't gotten around to test fitting them).

They also don't offer the Plexi 3 full fairing, but they do have the backseat cargo pod and the hand deflectors. Interesting!
Speaking of National Cycle, my NC Deflector DX arrived on my doorstep this evening. I think all of the time I spent with the tape measure and the specs paid off. It's just the size I was looking for.

I ordered one that fit the late model Nighthawk, but they list the same numbers for the CB1100 (2594 clear, 2595 light tint). I got the tinted one.

One of the reasons I went with NC is that I love their Quick Set mounting system. It's flexible enough to adjust the shield just about any way you want it. It also allows you to detach and remount the shield in about a minute.

Install was not too much trouble. The handlebar mounts are supposed to go as close to the upper bend in the bars as possible. I was able to squeeze it in just under the clutch master cylinder's banjo. Besides having to heat the ball and socket joints with a hair dryer (tight fit!), it easily installed in less than an hour. It seems very solid.

I didn't finish untill 11:00PM, so the test ride will have to wait until tomorrow. The lighting in my garage sucks, so I'll also get some daylight pics as well.

I just got a response from national cycle, they won't be offering the f-series for the CB11 and aren't currently designing any new windshields for it either.

[the Ferret]

The gauge package is higher and further out from the handlebars than it was for our Nighthawk 750s. Thats why my Slipstreamer Spitfire won't fit. I could mount it in front (near side from the riders perspective) of the gauges and look thru it at the instruments but that would look stupid. Guess I'll be buying another shield.