New windshield install cost $50 and took 2+ hours!!!
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 1:40 pm
So with many thanks to Indyglow for her kind offer of a free Givi tall windshield (323DT), and armed with Maddiedog's clear and concise visual instructions, I set out to replace my stock windshield for the winter & early spring season. Seems a straight forward project that should take me less than 15 minutes give or take. Then disaster struck. Sort of!
While removing the last screw that was holding the windshield in place, the nylon washer slips off and behind the headlight. Only I then hear it fall inside the front fairing and all the way down to the bottom. I double check all around to make sure it didn't fall to the ground, or somewhere else, but nope I'm pretty certain it's now at the bottom of that fairing near where it connects to the foot rest.
My eldest daughter can get her hand inside and feel around various cavities within the fairing, but cannot reach the bottom. I contemplate what is involved to remove what would be needed to get to that location. A quick review of the forum tells me I'm better off visiting the local hardware store 10 minutes away. I need to go in to town anyway, so I take one of the other washers with me.
In the hardware store I find 2 very close matches. One has an OD that's the same, but a smaller ID, the other has the same ID but a larger OD. For 25 cents each I take both. So how did my bill come to $50 and my install time stretch to 2 hrs? Well it turns out that the store is remodeling and most items are 50% off with everything else 20% off!
I consider myself fortunate that I was able to get out of there an hour later with only one bag of "much needed" items and a receipt for only $50. There were many other things that I only sort of need but was able to resist!
Once back at home the rest of the install went without a hitch and I now have a tall windshield installed that will help keep me warmer and drier as I try and extend my riding season as long as possible here on the edge of the snow belt in Ohio.
Now I might have to take it for a test ride that will probably take me past the hardware store. The saving factor there will be that whatever I end up buying will have to fit under the seat, or strapped to the back seat!
I can't say a big enough thank you to Indyglow, and a big shout out to Maddiedog though! The real cost of the whole project was only 25 cents and 30 minutes if I don't include driving time!
While removing the last screw that was holding the windshield in place, the nylon washer slips off and behind the headlight. Only I then hear it fall inside the front fairing and all the way down to the bottom. I double check all around to make sure it didn't fall to the ground, or somewhere else, but nope I'm pretty certain it's now at the bottom of that fairing near where it connects to the foot rest.
My eldest daughter can get her hand inside and feel around various cavities within the fairing, but cannot reach the bottom. I contemplate what is involved to remove what would be needed to get to that location. A quick review of the forum tells me I'm better off visiting the local hardware store 10 minutes away. I need to go in to town anyway, so I take one of the other washers with me.
In the hardware store I find 2 very close matches. One has an OD that's the same, but a smaller ID, the other has the same ID but a larger OD. For 25 cents each I take both. So how did my bill come to $50 and my install time stretch to 2 hrs? Well it turns out that the store is remodeling and most items are 50% off with everything else 20% off!
I consider myself fortunate that I was able to get out of there an hour later with only one bag of "much needed" items and a receipt for only $50. There were many other things that I only sort of need but was able to resist!
Once back at home the rest of the install went without a hitch and I now have a tall windshield installed that will help keep me warmer and drier as I try and extend my riding season as long as possible here on the edge of the snow belt in Ohio.
Now I might have to take it for a test ride that will probably take me past the hardware store. The saving factor there will be that whatever I end up buying will have to fit under the seat, or strapped to the back seat!
I can't say a big enough thank you to Indyglow, and a big shout out to Maddiedog though! The real cost of the whole project was only 25 cents and 30 minutes if I don't include driving time!