| Author | Message | ||
     Signal4 |
Okay, so I got my Palmer bracket and large windscreen in today. I would like to state that I am not very mechanically inclined, though I am determined to learn with my Uly. I have an 09 XB12XT in fast red. Here's what the stock tall XT windscreen on my bike looked like:  Included in the stuff I bought was: 1) Complete bracket 2) Large windscreen 3) Stabilizer clamps 4) "Eyebrow" vinyl covers that attach to the windscreen to hide bracket  When I opened the packaging I saw everything was very well packed. Especially the windscreen, which was wrapped about 10 times in bubble wrap. Also, the bracket already had the bolts, washers, grommets and nuts attached to the correct holes and in the proper order, so that assisted greatly in knowing how to assemble it. The instructions were provided via a web link in the email I received from the proprietor Iain Palmer. They were well explained and had nice pictures. I was confused for a couple minutes as to which side of the bracket the windscreen got and which side the cowling got, but that got sorted out.  Taking the windscreen and cowling out was a breeze; getting those damn rubber grommets out of the cowling took me a good 15 minutes though (after the 15 I spent soaking them in hot soap water). I also slightly scratched my cowling getting one of them out. In the future I recommend following Froggy's advice and just cutting them out. It's too much trouble. I did however take a victory photo...  I then compared the sizes of the screens. I had been very worried that the Palmer would be so big as to really hurt the look of the bike. I was comforted to know that I was not installing a Ford LTD windshield on my bike: it was just the size I wanted.  I next attached the bracket to the windscreen and then the cowling. The cowling was a bit tricky, as the bolts liked to move out. I recommend using a bit of scotch tape on the bolt head to keep all of them in place til you can get the nuts started.   Also during the time I was putting the cowling and bracket together I got viciously attacked by a gigantic horsefly that bit me twice on the back before I slew the beast. Here is my second victory photo...  Once I got the bracket together, I placed the foam pads which protect the plastic under the cowling from being rubbed by the ends of the bolts sticking out from the nuts, and replaced the cowling on the bike.  I left the screen in the farthest forward, middle height position that it was in when I installed it, made sure the adjustment knobs were tight, and went for a ride. I chose not to install the bracers or the "eyebrow" vinyl covers. I think it looks cool without the covers!   I'm 6'1" tall with a 34 inseam, and I wear an Arai XD3 crossover helmet with a peak on it. The wind coming off the screen hit right at the peak, without the peak it would be brushing the top of my helmet. So in the highest position, even with the peak, all the wind will go over my head. I did not notice any wind coming up between the cowling and the screen, so I'm glad I skipped the barrier that you can buy that goes between them. I did not notice any noise or vibration of the screen or cowling except at stopped idle, where the top edge of the screen vibrates. But heck, my old stock does that. Note also that this is the case even though I have not installed the supporting brace for the screen. Next, I hopped on the interstate to test the high speed on the screen. Now it's important to note here, I've only done one other interstate ride with the bike on a very calm day. Tonight (it's night when I'm doing this) there are some moderate winds on the I road. I noticed about 75-80 mph and higher with the current screen position that the bike would get pushed a bit left and right, especially by big rig truckers. The push was nominal, but noticed. I then stopped at a friend's house, and he turned green with envy at my new 09 Uly and now he hates life. I also moved the screen to the lowest and most sloped back position to re-test on the interstate.  My friend agreed that the bike looks tough and "utilitarian" without the "eyebrow" covers. I then got back on the interstate. The pushing from the wind was almost completely gone. I took the bike up to 100mph, still no noise or vibration from the cowling or windscreen. The wind was coming in clean and crisp right at the top of my shoulder, or maybe just at the base of my helmet. During the ride lots of bugs died on the new, now not so clean screen.  I got back home and compared the screens while the new one is attached to the bike also, and I still think the look is very good.   But Iain, I'm taking your sticker off the windscreen tomorrow, sorry bro! So, at this time I really have to give the screen and bracket a 9.5 out of ten. It preforms just as advertised, and the adjustments allowed me to set it for highway riding or for more weather protection. All the parts look to be made of quality metals and the screen is very cleanly molded and cut, and very firm. The whole thing feels very "solid" as I grabbed and shook it after installation. The only downside at this point is I noticed while going down the road that I could see some light coming out of the point where the cowling and the instrument panel meet.  Tomorrow I think I'm going to remove the cowling and saw the ends off the bolts that are resting on the foam to make that a bit shorter, as I'm concerned that rain water might get down in there where lots of wires are. Oh, and the customer service is a 10 out of 10. Iain had my stuff in the mail the day I ordered, and I emailed him about 5 times with questions and each time got a very prompt reply with the information I needed, even before I was going to purchase anything. I hope to report back more after I get to do some touring with it and let you folks know a bit more about what I think of the long term use. If you have any questions please let me know, and I hope this is helpful for folks looking for a screen. Uly farkle seeker, Josh (Message edited by signal4 on June 10, 2009) (Message edited by signal4 on June 10, 2009) | ||
| Froggy |
Mine didn't come with those pad things for screws, now I need to look and see if my odd farkled bike needs them. If so, I will send some hate mail. It looks good, I love mine. Oh yea, make sure the screws are nice and tight after every adjustment, don't ask me how I know.... | ||
| Signal4 |
Oh yeah, I saw Iain added to the instructions that you should "Make sure the adjustable knobs are tight before *every* ride." I wondered who had enjoyed that learning experience that led to that addition in the directions... guess now I know!  | ||
| Okc99 |
I learned you shouldn't try to adjust it while driving  | ||
| Strada |
Josh, what a superb right-up. You're a star. Glad it all works well for you. Regarding the Foam pads - they will bed-in compress slightly after a while and when you fit the brace kit, you can close the gap up and tighten the clamps (or remove them). Thanks again for taking the time and effort, much appreciated. If you have some full bike shots I'd like a couple for the website. Cheers. | ||
| Mnrider |
Thanks for the entertaining write up Signal,damn horse flys! | ||
| Signal4 |
Of course, I hope that it helps, especially in determining the difference between different windscreens and the rides with them. I had a hard time finding information, specifically photos, that compared the sizes of aftermarket screens with the stock XT one. And Iain I'll try and remember to take some nice full shots before I ride today. (Message edited by signal4 on June 10, 2009) | ||
| Trevd |
Great write up Signal! I just received my Madstad system in the mail today, so I'll try to take photos as I install it and do a write-up as well to give people the low-down on both. |
