250 Windshield, I Hate Bugs Need Advice

[mrsjr]

Well I have found one thing I don't like about my new 250 scooter and that's the windshield! This afternoon Jr and I went for another ride up around the Arkansas River and up to Petit Jean State Park and I'm telling you the bugs were horrible today!

What was really bad around the river was those big old dragonflies! I was in the lead and one of those things came right over the windshield and popped me right on the forehead!! After i got that mess all cleaned up I had some kind of stinging bug hit me!!

This is not going to do at all! When I rode my Bali all the time I never had this happen as the windshield is taller and wider.

So does anyone have any suggestions or leads as to where one can get a good bigger windshield for the 250 scooters like mine?

This has got to stop as I HATE BUGS! Mrs JR

[jpn]

If the mounting points for the existing windshield will take the strain, it shouldn't be too difficult (OK, some trial and error is likely) to make one. If the mounting points are questionable, then it could quickly develop into a big job.

Lexan or similar material is easy to rough cut with a hi-speed abrasive cutoff saw (oversize pneumatically driven dremel with a cutting wheel). Finish shaping can be done with a pneumatic angle grinder fitted with a 3" sanding disk. Once shaped, sand the rough edges as smooth as you can, then lightly melt just the surface of the edge with a butane or propane torch. If the edges aren't melted, tiny surface cracks can be left and will grow with changes in temperature.

If you see bubbles form in the material, you got it too hot. Use a scrap piece of material to practice on, until you feel confident to try it on a large piece.

Drilling is a little different from other materials. The drill bit needs to melt it's way through, not cut. Aircraft window manufacturers recommend taking a new bit, and drilling a hole in pavement before using the bit. There is a way to regrind the bit to the proper angles for the material, but the pavement method works and it's what I use. Use a pneumatic drill and very light pressure - just let the bit heat up and melt through.

[astroprof]

mrs - bugs are bad. If you go to the "show and tell" then "daily riders", mine is down toward the bottom of page 4. The original owner had an extension put on and it really works. Looks like he added a commercial windscreen in the manner that jpn's talking about. I blew thru a swarm of honey bees about 2 months ago and it deflected them. Full face helmet helps too.

[jpn]

Aug 10, 2009 7:09:40 GMT -5 astroprof said:

Looks like he added a commercial windscreen in the manner that jpn's talking about.

That's one way to do it. I was thinking more along the lines of making a new complete windshield.

Start with a sheet of material the same thinkness as the original windshield, or slightly thicker. Use a sheet of posterboard to make a template of the original windshield, then use this template to make a template for the enlarged windshield. Transfer the outline of the enlarged template to the sheet of material, then start cutting.

If the new windshield won't flex enough to fit the curve of the original windshield, heating it gently with a propane torch will help. Don't let the torch sit in one spot, keep it moving, and don't get it hot enough to form bubbles in the material. Again, practicing on a piece of scrap material would be a good idea.

[mrsjr]

Thanks guys for the advice and Jr went to the local hardware today but they only have plexiglass. He said he didn't want to use that as it's not as strong as Lexan and JPN he said that he saw on the other forum your idea with the windsheild and it's a winner.

He called a place today in Morrilton, a glass shop and they were supposed to call him back with the availability and price but they never called so he's going to call Lowes because he has to go to Conway tomorrow anyway.

Jr said he was going to make a pattern like you said and he has all the tools to drill it, cut it and glaze the sides like you said. He also said that one could take and curve it how you liked, and tie it to the desired curve and then leave it out in this 95 degree Arkansas heat and it would mold to the desired curve you want and stay there.

Me I don't care how he does it as long as those dang bugs can't hit me!! LOL Mrs JR

[sheri]

drive with a flyswatter.
Hugs,
Sheri
Nice to meet you! Your husband is a dear.

[sheri]

I worked in a plastics design workshop, and drilled lexan with very fast drills. I would also
use hot pokers to just melt my way through. I used wire and held it with a plier, heated it up
to red hot and poked holes. Then, I was able to screw my screws in quickly and easily without
crazing. All edges were nicely treated as glass is.

Try the wire poke method also.
Sher

[mrsjr]

Windsheild update, Jr went to Conway today after picking two wheel barrows full of sweet corn and he got a piece of that Lexan stuff I beleive he said 24" by 36" and it only cost $28 because he had a 10% discount coupon for Lowes!!

He said that would be his next project as right now he is putting all the plastic back on my scooter because he adjusted the valves.

Hopefully in a day or two NO MORE BUGS! LOL Mrs JR

[Rebel]

I'm a bit late on this but I agree with the lexan make your own idea for a shield. of course the other option is to wear a full face helmet with the shield down.

[G-Bo]

How about spraying your windshield with LOTS of OFF!....j/k....

[mrsjr]

well old JR is a scratching his head on this one. Got the windsheild cut out with no problem and all the holes drilled and fitted, no problem there either. He also has heated it and has a nice molded curve in it but the problem is these windsheilds are curved in two ways.

I didn't understand what he was talking about until he bolted it on temporarily. One has to have it curved to bolt on and then you have to have it curve back somewhat toward the front wheel otherwise it just comes back toward the rider and instead of being higher it just comes right back toward your face.

Jr says that to get it like it needs to be he's going to have to figure out some kind of mold or what he called a jig, whatever that is so he can clamp it and heat it at the same time.

Me I just don't want to contend with the bugs! Mrs JR

[jpn]

Might be able to take measurements of the windshield mounting points, then duplicate those points with 1/2" plywood and scraps of 2x4, then clamp the wood in a bench vise.

The new windshield can be attached to the wood mount with long wood screws (be careful not to overtighten the screws) and large washers. That should hold everything well enough to heat the windshield and apply pressure (some type of heat resistant glove would probably be a good idea) to make the bend.

[azscooter]

Check with GIVI They made a windshield for my Kymco GV 250 that came with all the mounting hardware and required no modification to mount. It is a tall windshield that I look through not over. It does not seem to affect the handling at all. I have had this on the bike for four years and would not enjoy riding without it. Like all plexiglass it takes a special cleaner and a microfiber cloth the keep from scratching it. One warning GIVI is not cheap.
Mike

[mrsjr]

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300330297664&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

JR is looking at this one by Givi. He has sent them a mesage as to the measurements. What do you think about this windsheild? Mrs JR

[Rebel]

Looks good, it might drop right in and the price is pretty good too.