Windscreen Squeak

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:39 pm

Noticed that the stock Blur windscreen tends to make a squeaking/scrunching sound when flexing. I tried coming up with some combos of washers and grommets to fix this, but all were either too thick or too thin. Finally came up with the idea of slipping a small o-ring over the face of the stanchion lugs and it seems to have done the job. Size isn't that critical, but the thickness should be such that, when stretched around the lug, it isn't so thin as to work into the windshield thru-hole, or so thick as to keep the lug from fitting into the thru-hole.

Here's a drawing of the arrangement from the perspective of standing directly in front of the windscreen:

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:29 pm

Nice thinking! I'll have to take a look at mine if that ever becomes an issue. I found that mine squeaked when I had the uprights too close to the headset. I'd hit a bump and it'd make this squeaking sound. I bent the posts out a little bit and that made it go away.

The drawing's a nice touch!

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:49 pm

The mounting holes on my Blur were so off that one of the stanchions had about a half inch of clearance from the headset while the other was actually in contact with it. Clattered like hell on the bumps, so I dad to do some creative metal bending myself. That's when I noticed the scrunchy sound of plastic on metal. Guess everyone's setup is different.

BTW: Congrats (or condolences) on the mod gig. Just don't forget that the ultimate answer to every question is, "You shoulda bought a Blur instead".

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:02 pm

Lol, thanks. We know the right answer, but I guess it is called "ModernBuddy" for a reason...

Imagine what it'd be like if the Buddy was the distant cousin no one speaks about and the Blur were the favorite child. "ModernBlur" lol.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:42 am

so would you guys still recommend the oem windshield? or another brand? after my topcase, the windshield will be next...

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:54 am

fs8gbe wrote:so would you guys still recommend the oem windshield? or another brand? after my topcase, the windshield will be next...

I personally would NOT recommend it unless you want it strictly for the appearence. I thought it would decrease the wind hitting my helmet, like the WS does on my Burgman, but it actually makes it worse by pushing the turbulance directly into my helmet. I do like the appearence and have kept it installed. I am thinking seriously about taking it off for the summer when I switch to my open face helmet. I didnt notice any significant difference in MPG that some claim.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:26 pm

I never noticed that much of a gain in mpg or top end speed. I don't think the windshield is large enough to really take my body out of the slipstream equation.

I did notice that it took a lot of wind off my chest during the Winter (at the cost of more hitting my helmet), which is exactly what I wanted out of it. I'll likely be removing it over the summer.

It's an OK item. Each one requires some fitting an finagling. I'd say it comes down to what you're looking for out of it.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:48 pm

Despite some moments of frustration when trying to install it, I wouldn't hesitate getting another should the need arise. Noise around the helmet does increase, but that doesn't bother me half as much as the constant torso buffeting without the windscreen. And it really is a nice match to the overall layout of the scoot.

I'd have to agree that the mpg increase is negligible, but we're already getting between 70 and 80 mpg, so no big whoop. I'd swear that acceleration is slightly improved, but that could simply be a matter of perception.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:31 pm

cool, thanks guys. i guess i will think about it. it would be nice to get that wind off of my chest but, i hate that feeling of my helmet bashing around in the wind...

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:46 pm

charlie55 wrote: I'd have to agree that the mpg increase is negligible, but we're already getting between 70 and 80 mpg, so no big whoop.

after the conversion from BDU to actual miles(BDU/1.89 or about 53%) I'm averaging 64.5mpg over 1600+ total miles. best tank was 69.5, first full tank of relaxed riding during break in. worst was in February (freakin cold) at 57.

I have noticed this spring when I'm taking longer rides than my daily commute (training rides with the wife on her Buddy) that I'm getting consistantly better numbers. Probably partly due to the warmer weather but more likely due to the slower speeds and longer open road riding.

I've never broken 70 let alone approach 80 mpg.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:12 pm

Sounds like someone windshield is on upside down!

That's very odd. I guess I don't really pay too much attention to how much gas I go through. It's good gas mileage and that's good enough for me.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:37 pm

I've found that my odo is almost exactly in 0.6 mile units, so that's what I'm using for my conversion. I'll admit that there's plenty of room for error, especially when it's difficult to fill the tank to exactly the same point every time. However, I have been tracking mpg's with an MS Excel spreadsheet app, and the average over the last year has been 73.68.

Guess that's what they mean by YMMV.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:04 pm

i've been using fuelly.com and i have on avg 74,75 mpg, but i wasn't looking to get a windscreen for that, just to make the ride a bit more comfortable.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:11 pm

fs8gbe wrote:so would you guys still recommend the oem windshield? or another brand? after my topcase, the windshield will be next...

I had no problems with the OEM windshild. Bit of helmet buffer, though. Not a problem with a FF. I will say, the windshield moves a bit at speed. I've wondered about stuffing some foam between the front of the fairing and the windshield to make if a bit less likely to flex.

Having said that. The OEM looks good, and I have no real problems with it.

As for topcase. Love my Givi. Can't say enough about it.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:15 pm

Lostmycage wrote:I never noticed that much of a gain in mpg or top end speed. I don't think the windshield is large enough to really take my body out of the slipstream equation.

I did notice that it took a lot of wind off my chest during the Winter (at the cost of more hitting my helmet), which is exactly what I wanted out of it. I'll likely be removing it over the summer.

It's an OK item. Each one requires some fitting an finagling. I'd say it comes down to what you're looking for out of it.

I agree about the wind situation, but it's nothing like what I can get off my MC at speed. It's never bothered me much.

I got about 10MPH in top end when I put the winshield on. Bit of a bump in MPG, but not a lot. (FYI - I'm a fatty, so my numbers are going to be lower than most). It really did get the wind of my chest which is the most important thing.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:52 pm

charlie55 wrote:I've found that my odo is almost exactly in 0.6 mile units, so that's what I'm using for my conversion. I'll admit that there's plenty of room for error, especially when it's difficult to fill the tank to exactly the same point every time. However, I have been tracking mpg's with an MS Excel spreadsheet app, and the average over the last year has been 73.68.

Guess that's what they mean by YMMV.

If I change my spreadsheet conversion to the values you use (.6m/bdu) it puts my mileage in the exact same range you get. guess it's time to get a more accurate conversion with the GPS. I'll try to do that soon.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:04 pm

Lol, you guys are silly! Just ride the damn things and know they're beating the pants off of your 4 wheeled vehicles. That's what I do! I still smile as I'm riding in AND out of the gas station.

But, since you're so determined, let me know what you end up with and that's what I'll tell people when they ask me, lol. Won't quite be right, but it'll be close enough.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:55 pm

Lostmycage wrote:Lol, you guys are silly! Just ride the damn things and know they're beating the pants off of your 4 wheeled vehicles. That's what I do! I still smile as I'm riding in AND out of the gas station.

But, since you're so determined, let me know what you end up with and that's what I'll tell people when they ask me, lol. Won't quite be right, but it'll be close enough.

What would we do all day if we wern't OCD about such things? Perish the thought!

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:50 pm

I hear that knitting is good for OCD...

For me, I do research on what'll make this thing go faster... which just lessens the MPG, lol. To each his own

I wonder if I can still hit 80 without the windshield? I'll have to try that out when I remove mine for the summer.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:58 pm

Would've replied sooner, but I had to wash my hands for two hours after cataloging all the lock-washers in my parts bin and making sure that all the pencils on my work bench were precisely sharpened to a .0095" and pointing in the same direction.

Gotta go count toothpicks now,

Ciao

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:47 pm

Lostmycage wrote:Lol, you guys are silly! Just ride the damn things and know they're beating the pants off of your 4 wheeled vehicles. That's what I do! I still smile as I'm riding in AND out of the gas station.

I know right

I still shop around for low prices too

bonus points if I can pull up next to a big honkin SUV dumping their paycheck in the tank

But, since you're so determined, let me know what you end up with and that's what I'll tell people when they ask me, lol. Won't quite be right, but it'll be close enough.

originally I just figured the difference between my TGB and the Blur on my daily commute. 6.3 miles on the TGB ODO vs 11.8 on the Blur

not miles, not KM what's the deal??
Now if the TGB was off I have been using bogus numbers from the start.
Charlie55 uses .6m/bdu, I've been using .53m/bdu so if I change my # to Charlie's I get the same mpg range in the 70's. I'll try a commute with the GPS and get a

conversion .

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:07 pm

yeah i have just been using km, so i need to try to pin it down a little better. i understand no 2 bdu's are the same...

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:24 pm

BeachBuzz wrote:
Lostmycage wrote:Lol, you guys are silly! Just ride the damn things and know they're beating the pants off of your 4 wheeled vehicles. That's what I do! I still smile as I'm riding in AND out of the gas station.
I know right I still shop around for low prices too

bonus points if I can pull up next to a big honkin SUV dumping their paycheck in the tank

But, since you're so determined, let me know what you end up with and that's what I'll tell people when they ask me, lol. Won't quite be right, but it'll be close enough.
originally I just figured the difference between my TGB and the Blur on my daily commute. 6.3 miles on the TGB ODO vs 11.8 on the Blur not miles, not KM what's the deal??
Now if the TGB was off I have been using bogus numbers from the start.
Charlie55 uses .6m/bdu, I've been using .53m/bdu so if I change my # to Charlie's I get the same mpg range in the 70's. I'll try a commute with the GPS and get a conversion .

Lots of threads on this. This seems to be a problem on the '06 more than the '07s. My '07 Blur is fairly accurate - something like 8 or 9 percent off.