Windshield Mod

[rocklobstr]

I purchased a Freewheeler two months ago (with windshield). I had a 25 mile ride home on the Maine Turnpike (70mph) and could not believe the blast of wind hitting me on both sides of my head. When I got home I removed the windshield and found that at 70mph there was no wind hitting me from the sides. WTF?

I put the trike on cruise control and felt around with my hands to find out where the wind was coming from. It appeared that the wind comes off the tank at about a 45 degree angle up and out. Without the windshield this wind passes right by each shoulder and not into the side of your head. When you add the windshield, the slipstream from each side collides with the air coming off the tank and WHAM! right into your head.

I read how some have had luck with a DK tank lift. I added one (2") and got about a 50% improvement.

As a last resort I added a couple pieces of 1/8" lexan to the windshield and to my surprise no more wind from the side. Now I can ride without needing earplugs.

My hat doesn't even want to fly off anymore. The trike now feels like my previous Super Glide with a BatWing fairing!

There's only one down-side, for the first time I can hear the Harley rocker arm ticking.

 

[jc1300]

I added a couple pieces of 1/8" lexan to the windshield and to my surprise no more wind from the side. Now I can ride without needing earplugs. My hat doesn't even want to fly off anymore. The trike now feels like my previous Super Glide with a BatWing fairing!

There's only one down-side, for the first time I can hear the Harley rocker arm ticking.

Pretty cool hack - I'm a big fan of a "I got this" fix. But if you find it still a problem, I'd suggest Klock Werks. They are quite a bit wider - Indents on the sides plant the fork for less wobble {like when you pass the truck going the other direction} and then obviously the flared top.

jc

 

[alienwulf]

You'll need a big fan to test with as won't be long before your snowed in. I was born in Waterville and rode many a cold icy day in the winter because I could not wait for or till spring. Nice job on the problem by the way.ThumbUp

 

[Red59]

As a last resort I added a couple pieces of 1/8" lexan to the windshield and to my surprise no more wind from the side. Now I can ride without needing earplugs. My hat doesn't even want to fly off anymore. The trike now feels like my previous Super Glide with a BatWing fairing!
There's only one down-side, for the first time I can hear the Harley rocker arm ticking.

rocklobstr,
I've been playing around with different ideas to try and cure that same problem with little success. Sounds like you may have come up with something that works. Approximately how much wider did you make your shield?
Thanks,
Red

 

[rocklobstr]

I added about 2" at it's widest point.

 

[rocklobstr]

rocklobstr,
I've been playing around with different ideas to try and cure that same problem with little success. Sounds like you may have come up with something that works. Approximately how much wider did you make your shield?
Thanks,
Red

 

[jdogg]

Pretty cool hack - I'm a big fan of a "I got this" fix. But if you find it still a problem, I'd suggest Klock Werks. They are quite a bit wider - Indents on the sides plant the fork for less wobble {like when you pass the truck going the other direction} and then obviously the flared top.

jc

JC: Do you have a picture you can post of the Klock Werks set-up on a FREE?

 

[52edub]

Do you think getting a wider windscreen from Clearview would work. I like my 16" height, but the head shaking has got to go. Now that they are making windscreens for Frees I thought I would give them a call and see what a wider windscreen would cost.

 

[jc1300]

JC: Do you have a picture you can post of the Klock Werks set-up on a FREE?

I'm sorry Dogg - I had it on my 13 Softail before the Trike, and now I have the Tri Glide. All I can say is night and Day difference. jc

 

[Red59]

Thanks for the info rocklobstr

Do you think getting a wider windscreen from Clearview would work. I like my 16" height, but the head shaking has got to go. Now that they are making windscreens for Frees I thought I would give them a call and see what a wider windscreen would cost.

52edub,

That's exactly what I was thinking also, with them making shields for the FW might be a good option.

Red,

 

[52edub]

I was thinking wider with the vent also.