New Member

[Regular Guy]

Hello to everyone,

I ride a 2002 GZ250. I use it every day as a commuter bike and general transpoertation. I have done some mods: Drilled the jet opend the air box some, drilled the muffler, 16 T front sprocket, fabricated a rack that has underwent several evolutions and is now super strong. I have mounted to the rack a large industrial grade Fibre Form insulated instrument box that was surplus from an anlayzer job I did some years back and though it is ugly it is very funtional and that is what I am into on this bike. I use it like a pack mule for work, shopping, etc. I have done one adaptation some of you may be interested in. I adapted a windshield I bought out of JC Whitney called an F15 Touring style windshield. It is produced by National Cycle costs about $ 96.00. I forgot the exact model number if someone is interested I will try and get it or can call JC Whiney up and they can probably tell me the exact part number I ordered, but what is unique about this shield is that it does not clamp on to the handle bars at all. It is designed for older and bigger bikes like BMW's, Triumphs, Big Suzuki's, etc. and is made to clamp on the two large bolts on the side of headlight. I bought it with the idea that I would make my own bracket anyway, but much to my surprise, it bolted right on to the turn signal mounts straight out of the box. The reason I chose this style windshield instead of a handle bar clamp style was because I had a lousy experience with that type on my old "76 KZ750, and though I am sure they probably have improved them since then, I just thought I would avoid that kind if possible. Anyways, it installed very cleanly, no clutter on the bars and is strong. I like it a lot.

Added some reflective tape to be seen and night, some large bubble truck mirrors on the fork tubes to eliminate blind spots, some clip on bicycle led strobes for foggy weather ( these are great , they attach to a quick connect system that stays on the rear blinker tube and are super bright, not expensive either) + I use an old zenon fired strobe i had lying around on the rear for really foggy conditions. A little squeak horn because it amuses my three year old son, some small spot mirrors on my regular mirrors and that's about the main stuff.

[5th_bike]

Welcome to the forum Regular Guy !

I joined recently after I got my 2005 GZ250 from someone who didn't use it. 670 miles so far. And it's still totally stock. I'm thinking about getting a windshield as a first addition.

This forum is really nice and quiet, apparently the members enjoy riding rather than posting on the forum - nothing wrong with that !

[Easy Rider]

I have done one adaptation some of you may be interested in. I adapted a windshield I bought out of JC Whitney called an F15 Touring style windshield. It is produced by National Cycle costs about $ 96.00. I forgot the exact model number if someone is interested I will try and get it or can call JC Whiney up and they can probably tell me the exact part number I ordered,

To say I'm interested in your windshield is an understatement. I've got a small one but not happy with it. Been thinking about a visit to the dealer to see what they know but I've been waiting in the weeds like a hungry Lion waiting to pounce on something that smells juicy; I think you're it !!! :)

Where are you located?
Any chance we can get a picture or three?

[Regular Guy]

Hey guys/gals:

I will be glad to share the info on this windshield, but I will need to look for the shipping list (although I probably ditched it with the box) or I can call JC Whitney to see which one they sent me. When ordering it I remember telling them It wouldn't much matter which model they sent since they didn't make one for my bike anyways and I was planning on having to fabricate my own mounts to make it work. Just so happened what ever model they sent was a near perfect match for the turn signal brackets.

I will take some pictures and sent along soon as I can.

Thanks all and good to be part of the group.

[Regular Guy]

Oh I forgot to mention that I am in Lake Charles, Louisiana,

[Easy Rider]

Oh I forgot to mention that I am in Lake Charles, Louisiana,

Guess I won't be stopping by to see it any time soon, since I live in Illinois!

[Regular Guy]

Hi Easy Rider!

Sorry for the delay in getting this information to you, but I.ve been busy lately.

Ok, I called the order desk of JC Whitney. where I got it from, and after some research they gave me the model number of shield I ordered. It is MS013907b, price is the same, $ 95.99 + shipping (usually free with orders over $ 75.00 but this changes so ask). They are only offered in light tint. Sorry no clear offering, I wanted tint anyways, and I think it looks good. In stock 7-10 day standard ground delivery. The above info is for the sport touring wind shield. If anyone is interested, they offer a shortened version (cafe racer style/ crotch rocket type) in dark tint only, costs is $93.99, in stock and part number for this one is 2X013906. You can go on line and look at the pictures in their catalog.

I am going to try and attach some pictures of it on my bike. I've never done this so if they don't stick let me know and I will try again. I originally mounted it using a small bolt in the existing curve slot. You will need to drill a 1/4 or 5/16 inch hole in the turn signal bracket for slot in the windshield. Once you have the shield mounted on the bracket using the blinker stem it should be apparent where to drill this hole. The wind shield comes with some other clamps for using on the headlight installation (the correct application one) I did not use these. I suppose if you wanted to be creative you could figure a way to make a better bracket and use them. I chose to keep it simple. I ground the slots farther back, as much as possible with a rat tail file and a Dremmel tool with a small cylinderical stone (used a stone on each side), This but the angle of the shied at about45 degrees and worked well and it actually cut my wind resitance and added 5-8 mph on my top end, but the wind would buffet me just on the top of my helmet so after using it for 3 months and with the rainy season at hand I removed the blinker tubes one at a time and repositioned the bracket in front of the bolt (the one I had to drill and install originally) and allowd the shield braket to rest on the bolt and camptured it with the washer I had on it to start with. This brought the windshield from 45 degree to true vertical. I now get much beter wind and rain protection but some added drag, not to bad though. but everything is atrade off.

If you have questions just let me know and I will try and help.

Tips: Get a second pair of hands to help out. Cover the shield with cardboard to avoid straches. You can use SS or chrome wahers for better appearance than mine.

good luck!
http://www.postimage.org/aV2n2CF9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV2n2CF9)

http://www.postimage.org/Pq1yZfh9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1yZfh9)

http://www.postimage.org/Pq1yZmLA.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1yZmLA)

http://www.postimage.org/Pq1yZzei.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1yZzei)

http://www.postimage.org/Pq1yZGIJ.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1yZGIJ)

http://www.postimage.org/Pq1yZOc9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1yZOc9)

http://www.postimage.org/Pq1yZ_FS.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1yZ_FS)

http://www.postimage.org/Pq1y_h7S.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1y_h7S)

[jonathan180iq]

Awesome! A utlity motorcycle. Good work.

[Water Warrior 2]

A small SUV. Can't complain about that.

[Easy Rider]

Hi Easy Rider!

Sorry for the delay in getting this information to you, but I.ve been busy lately.


Thanks a bunch. I guess I'm still looking. Your pictures came through perfectly but I don't think that is quite what I had in mind. I think it's a good thing that the GZ tops out around 65, 'cause the mounted angle of the shield would worry me any higher than that. I'd be afraid of steering instability.
Maybe someone else will find it useful.

[Regular Guy]

Just thought I would mentionagain to make it clear. I purposely increased the angle of the windshield to give me more rain protection for winter riding, and it did. If you mount using the slotted adjustment that comes witht the shield you can have 30-45 degree mount and less drag. Incidently, I notice no negative affects on steering vs previous 45 degree installation and can still make 70 mph (depending on head winds) but I travel the speed limits which in my area tops at 65. I chose this style because I had a stick to handlebar mount before on my KZ750 and my GS850, both were crap. so I went for something different. I like it becasue it is sturdy and leaves my bars uncluttered. I can fully understand why it may not be everyone's "cup of tea".

Enjoyed all the feedback.
Ride safe![/i][/quote]

[Easy Rider]

Just thought I would mentionagain to make it clear. I purposely increased the angle of the windshield to give me more rain protection for winter riding, and it did.

Well, it must not be perfectly straight up then because a shield that is totally vertical will give LESS protection 'cause the wind will rush over the top and right down on your chest. An angle about 20-30 degrees is usually best but it does depend on the shape of the shield. You need a good streamlined flow UP the shield and OVER your head.

[Regular Guy]

Ok, I understand you wouldn,t put it on your bike. I got no problems with that, I like mine and I don't care if anyone else trys one or not, it's all good, however I think in fairness to all readers we should stick to the facts and results, not theory and opinion. Facts: 1) Its is now vertical (I can't tell if it is perfect straight or not, but I would say not perfect, maybe near perfect, since I probably have never done anything perfect. 2) It does not spill over and hit me in the chest. 3) Does cause more drag than previous mount at 45 degrees. It took 5-8 miles off my top end. 4) I seldom travel over the speed limit since I am long past the age of immortality, but have had it up to 82 mph (best ever speed test) with no noticable bad control affectsor instability. That said I really don't care how it reacts above 70 since that is the maximum speed limit in my area, anyways, I think you look at the bikes designed to cruise over these speeds you will notice the windshields are about two hands high anyways, so what is your point?

Why it does not do like you predict, I can't say, that is theory, opinion. It does have a reverse curve at the top of the shield, perhaps that helps to direct the wind higher (I actually read that as a l claim, not on this shield, but on another in JC Whitney that had a similar design). Fact: this shield's attachs lower than a bar mounted shield. What that does for you I can't say. Maybe a lower center of resistance to the steering and it is easy to see over (opinion)
Finally, I will say that I would buy it again, and unfortunately I am re-ordering now, since my bike fell off the side stand while on a limestone driveway soft from rains. It took out a chunk of the bottom left side. Maybe in theory if it were a different kind it would not have broken. If anyone cares to test that out that theory please report back the actual results. Good news though is it still works well in the rain, even with the chunk missing. We've beat this topic to death, don't you think (big white flag waving). If some one actually wants more information to buy or needs help to install one I would be glad to offer whatever help I can, otherwise, I offline on this topic guys.[/img]

[Easy Rider]

Ok, I understand you wouldn,t put it on your bike. I got no problems with that, I like mine and I don't care if anyone else trys one or not, it's all good, however I think in fairness to all readers we should stick to the facts and results, not theory and opinion.

Ok, it's obvious that you are happy with what you have and that's good.

I actually liked the coverage of the shield you've got (What's the height?) but I certainly wouldn't mount it EITHER at 45 degrees OR at 0 degrees. The fact is that every bike shield ever made works best at a slight angle......somewhere between 0 and 45 back from vertical. On some, this "rake" is part of the profile but on most it's a matter of how it is mounted. Yours might work even better at a SLIGHT angle.

I got the impression from you that (with the present mount points) more tilt would be difficult to achieve and that one fact turned me off to it. My understanding of that may be in error; if a 15-20 degree tilt could be easily accomplished, I would be seriously interested.

[Water Warrior 2]

If that windshield keeps the rain at bay you have a winner. :tup: :tup:

[Regular Guy]

The Shield is 17 inches high. I does a good job of sheding most of the rain from top of helmet to waist height and I am 5' 10". I have stuck my hand up to feel where the air flow is and there is still a few inches more above my helmet before it impacts my hand.

If someone tries this shield out I would certainly like to hear how you like it especially if you have used another type on this bike, but I'm not going to argue with someone to try it.

[Easy Rider]

I like the looks of the this one and was considering it based on that.

Really ??
This one ??

http://www.postimage.org/Pq1yZmLA.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1yZmLA)


In addition to my earlier comments, I think it looks pretty strange.........but then mine looks big and bulky too. :)

[music man]

do you see the big ass mirrors he has down low on the forks and the big ass box he has on the back, or the squeeze horn on his handlebars, or the little dome mirrors stuck to his mirrors, I think the last thing on his mind is what his bike looks like, which is perfectly fine if that is what you are into.

[alanmcorcoran]

I'd be a little anxious about forgetting I was driving with the storage shed on the back and falling off or falling over attempting a mount or dismount. As it is, when I bungee something big to the back, I have to lift up my leg by my pant legs to get it over the seat.

On the other hand, I think it's very unlikely any one is going to taligate this guy.