| Author | Message | |||
     Tobyf |
I've just started riding, and the Blast is my first bike. After a few excursions at 75 mph on the freeway, I feel like I've been in the ring with Mike Tyson. Need some sort of windshield. I have the stock little plastic thing over the headlight, I doubt it is anything but cosmetic. What have people used that is working? - Toby | |||
| Buellistic |
IMHO, a full face helmet is the answer ... | |||
| Buellkat |
The Buell windshield made for the Blast is the answer. I got mine cheap off Ebay and it is the problem solver to wind blowing you away! | |||
| Swampy |
Welcome to the Badweb Tobyf! The full face helmet is the answer, a good one that fits. Also it will take awhile to get used to being in the wind, but you will soon get used to it and eventually begin to crave it. Don't lock your arms, lean into it a little, loosen up on the grips. Also use earplugs. Lucky you, you guys are still riding. I am trapped in this frozen tundra until April. | |||
| Swampy |
Thats funny, the two people who aren't riding on the Badweb come up with answers! | |||
| Buellkat |
Are you referring to you (Swampy) and me, because we are in Michigan under snow??? Or what does riding on the Badweb mean?? | |||
| Swampy |
Snow sucks! Thats what I meant! | |||
| Ezblast |
I concur with LaFayette - even a flip up! | |||
| Gearheaderiko |
Sorry, but Buellkat has the best answer! The Buell accessory Blast windshield provides excellent coverage, durable, very easy installation, and is moderately priced (even better on e-bay $100-$150). It will also take awhile to get used to the wind (concur Swampy). Pulling off the flyscreen and riding without a helmet (or a 'beanie') works very well also (though its a lot like sex without a condom, you may pay dearly for it). Thats second 'best'to a full windshield or fairing. A full face may or may not solve your problem. While a full face helmet may streamline your head, because of your height or seating position, you may suffer from 'bobble head'. The wind off the flyscreen hits you in a place causing your head to be tossed around in the airstream caused by the flyscreen. You may also experience 'helmet lift', where your helmet is lifted off your head by the airstream, oftentimes causing a choking sensation. Even if the airstream is right, all full face helmets are not created equal. Some are really bad, some are very good. Pays to do the research before buying a helmet (same goes for 3/4 open face or half helmets). So dont expect that $49.99 full face from Walmart to solve your problem, but a $400 Shoei might not be much better. Taller Buell (and other) flyscreens/fairings are available and fit with minor alterations that will give better coverage than the stock flyscreen, if the Batcycle look of the Buell accessory windshield is not to your liking. I have a lot of neck problems (motorcycling can be dangerous) and if I want a windshield I'll drive a car (my opinion). So after much trial and error with all of the above, I opted for no flyscreen and a legal 3/4 (or 2/3) helmet. On the racetrack I use a full face Suomy (which is excellent in the wind, but pricey at over $600). | |||
| Ezblast |
Then use the Givi - better looking and does the job well - ask Maggie! EZ | |||
| Tobyf |
Wow, this board is so active, I love it! Nine postings in one night on this topic. I do have a full face helmet, and head wobble isn't so much my issue as my body being blasted by the wind. After a 45 min ride to and from the office at 70 - 75mph, my shoulders, wrist, and neck are a bit sore. So I want to get some sort of windscreen. I saw a picture of the Buell offering (P/N 57775-01Y, MSRP reportedly $200), but it's too ugly (http://www.ridetowork.org/2001-buell-blast-500cc). I also looked at the Givi solutions. I'm thinking I want one that covers the handgrips a bit, as my hands are getting cold (even in California, it can get cold in the winter!), even with gloves. The Givi A650 seems like the right type of thing (and cheaper retailing at $143), but it's a bit hard to tell if it will fit properly. The product photo shows it fitting a Honda that looks to have less vertical distance between the headlight the handlebars, so I can't quite tell if the flare-outs cover the handlebars will line up properly or not. Anyone used an A650?
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| Ezblast |
Do a search in the Thumper section and you will find a lot of different Givi screens mounted on Blasts! http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/sear ch.cgi http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/230995.html http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/292815.html EZ | |||
| Luckyduck |
Tobyf, Another help for the wind is to rotate your handlebars forward a bit(~1.5 inches or so) so that you are leaning forward to rest on the wind instead of having to hold yourself up against it. My blast was set up for sitting bolt upright when it followed me home, that was the very first mod I made. As for a shield that looks good, you are on your own. Check out all our pictures to see that everyone has their own opinion on that.  I use the Buell one down to 10 degrees F and wear warm gloves with heated grips. In the summer it is back to the stock flyscreen. Paul | |||
| Dustyjacket |
buell windshield  | |||
| Tobyf |
DJ, the Buell windshield looks pretty good in that picture. After going through all posts in Thumper with "Givi" and "wind" as EZ suggested, it looks like people have used Givi models A602, A750, A755, A760, AV770. | |||
| Ezblast |
  With the right accessories it can look pretty sharp. EZ | |||
| Rainman |
Hey Tobyf, welcome. A little thing I pull on the freeway when I don't have to worry about too much traffic and tight turns is to lean forward over the tank to lower my fullface helmet into the wind and relax my arms so that my elbows are down and, sometimes, even rest on my knees, using my lower back to sort of even out my body. That takes your body out of sail-mode, keeps you close to the tank, eases the blast on your helmet and puts you in the slipstream (if that's the right word) of the flyscreen. The wind force at 75 makes this position comfortable. Of course, once the screen is fitted, all bets are off. | |||
| Luke_sidewalker |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buell-Blast-Windscr een-blast-american-motorcycle_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQca tegoryZ35567QQihZ009QQitemZ190201370114QQrdZ1QQssp agenameZWDVW There's a stock Buell windshield up on E-Bay right now! | |||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome 'Luke'! | |||
| Indybuell |
Anyone have a copy / scan of the Buell Windshield installation instructions? | |||
| Gearheaderiko |
I dont have instructions, but these are what I wrote up when I sold mine. I may have pictures if you need them, but the installation is very simple. Tools needed: 3/16 Allen wrench 1/8 Allen wrench 3/32 Allen wrench 7/16" or 11mm wrench Remove 4 bolts holding the flyscreen on. Save 2 bolts you will need them for the windshield. Remove the 2 bolts holding the headlight bracket on (early Blasts use bolts only, later Blasts use bolts and nuts-save the nuts). Do not remove bracket. Using supplied bolts and the nuts that came off the headlight bracket, bolt the windshield bracket on with the swivel piece up and pointed forwards. Do one side at a time otherwise headlight assembly may slip. Loosely install the 2 flyscreen bolts through windshield into the 2 bottom flyscreen holes in the bracket. Be careful not to let the windshield fall forward as it could suffer damage. Install the 2 supplied bolts and rubber grommets in the top 2 windshield holes. Each top windshield bolt should use 2 grommets. Tighten down the 4 bolts. If your Blast has been dropped the lower windshield holes may not line up exactly with holes in the flyscreen bracket. but they are easily bent to the correct position. Do Not bolt the windshield on without using grommets on the windshield bolts, cracking may result. | |||
| Ichavis |
Wonder if anyone can help...i got a used Windshield on ebay...its in great shape.....it came with 4 bolts and 2 brackets. I got everything all set...i used 2 of the screws / washers from the flyscreen and attached it to the lower windscreen holes....what does not seem to work it i dont think i have the bolts and grommets for the upper windshield holes. I thought i would use the 4 allen bolts i took off the flyscreen and the washers but the bolts are too long. I dont know what to do..can anyone suggest where i get the right bolts and gromets or did i miss something. thanks, Ira | |||
| Gearheaderiko |
Sounds as if you didnt get the 2 bolts that are for the upper holes w/grommetts. They are unique to the windshield and not the 2 leftover bolts from the flyscreen. You'll need to go to a hardware store and get shorter bolts. Dont forget to use the rubber washers. I wrote the above installation instructions and did so from unbolting a Blast windshield properly installed. | |||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS It should be an industrial hardware supply store. Ace, Home Depot, True Value, etc. may not have what you need. We have McFadden Dale here which has everything! | |||
| Ichavis |
Well, since im not panicing anymore, i may have figure out something temporary at least...using the 2 left over flyscreen bolts , i pulled the unused upper flyscreen rubber inserts out...i screwed the blot and rubber spacer through the the windshield and placed the rubber insert behind it. The end of the bolt came out enough to screw into the windscreen bracket....and it also acts like a rubber bushing. It appears to work but i'll hunt down an official solution. thanks so much for your help. Ira | |||
| Robi |
Does the windshield take its own hardware, or does it use the same bolts that are already on the bike? I have the windshield and metal brackets, but no screws or bolts. Is this correct? Does anyone know where I can find the manual for the windshield? | |||
| Gearheaderiko |
It only uses the flyscreen bolts on the bike. You'll need to buy longer bolts to replace the ones that bolt into the headlight bracket. The bolts to replace are 1/4-20 x 5/8", so add the width of the windshield bracket holes to that measurement and thats the length you'll need. Installation is VERY simple, just follow my directions listed a few posts above. to repeat: DO NOT SUBSTITUTE the rubber grommets for metal washers-you'll crack the windshield. You may use metal washers with the grommets touching the windshield though. All bolts/grommets should be available at your local Home Depot. You may have to substitute regular bolts for the allen head bolts and faucet 'washers' can be used instead of grommets. I do not know where there is an instruction sheet posted, but you shouldnt need it. | |||
| Prichmon |
where is the best place to get the blast or givi shield? | |||
| Britchri10 |
I ordered mine direct from GIVI about 2 years ago. They had an address in California somewhere. I don't have it now. Just google GIVI.  | |||
| Prichmon |
iS THAT THE A750? Or what model is it please? | |||
| Britchri10 |
I believe it is an A755 | |||
| Lostinmusic |
Does anyone have instructions for mounting a Givi windshield to the Blast? My Givi is the 240a model that mounts to the headlight bracket. |
