Windscreen and handguards

[jfslater98]

First off I want to thank all the kind folks that contribute their time and effort to educate and amuse. I’ve saved a good bit of money from trolling the rich bank of info here. I am hoping to give back (aside from bad ideas about T-shirts)

So here in North New Jersey a combination of cold weather and my flaccid constitution forces the Rustor to spend more time in the dog house than I would like. 10K miles in 2.5 years: unacceptable. I need to get my mileage up, but it’s too damn cold in the morning, even going into early April. I have purchased a number of things to help me get out there more. And I hope to share my experience with altering my currently stock 2004 Rockster.

Thanks to jeffbowman’s recommendation here
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=6334
I went with the Wunderlich Trimm. I am also 6’2” and am hoping for the best on this screen. If it doesn’t work out, you will be the first to know.

If you browse on the Santa Cruz BMW site you will not find the Trimm screen. You must use the “order by part number” option and type in 8110350 to get the screen to pop up. $279 gone, but from the other posts here, I am expecting a relatively easy install. I also threw in the magnetic oil plug, but it will be a few months before I will have… well, let’s hope nothing to say about it, as I’d rather not find any metal filings in my oil. We’ll see.

I also purchased r1150gs handguards, for $69. I am expecting a struggle here, as there seems to be a bit of Dremel/Don’t Dremel controversy.
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=2854
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=6682
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=8303 (hacksawing of brake line fitting!)

I have purchased zip ties and making sure the Rotozip works. I plan on documenting the struggle and posting here so that others may witness what 15 years of corporate buffoonery does to a person’s wrenching skills.

[Biff's R]

The GS Handguard struggle is a little worse on the Rockster vs the Roadster since the handlebars are flatter on the Rockster. They sure do help the heated grips by keeping your knuckles warmer.

[jfslater98]

Already I’ve had to call Santa Cruz BMW back, as the instructions specific to the Trimm were in German. One phone call later and the English instructions were promptly faxed over to me. I am also happy that I ordered the magnetic drain plug, as it included a washer. A&S BMW sent a filter with no washer. They have promised to mail me one, but it has not arrived in time for this weekend’s project. A couple of corrections:

10K miles in 2.5 years

It's actually 3.5 very lame years. However a good portion of 06 was spent sleepily in the cage, the result of an insomniac 1 year old.

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=8303 (hacksawing of brake line fitting!)

CycleRob is actually describing hacksawing of the clutch line (!) to get GS handguards on an R.

[jfslater98]

Well I got it all done in one day: install windscreen, handguards and changed oil. The short version is that all seems well during the shakedown run, and so far I’m happy. I hope to have more of a breakdown of the install here sometime in the next few days.

[riceburner]

I made my own flyscreen :

[jfslater98]

Looks cool. How do you keep that tacked down? Does the wind make it over your head?

[riceburner]

Looks cool. How do you keep that tacked down? Does the wind make it over your head?

The glue pads are 3M industrial stick pads.

the wind hits me from roughly my neck upwards and my outer shoulders, but I'm used to it there, it's where I've always had the wind hit me (Ducati TL600 cafe racer, ZXR400, Zephyr with biggish dingle fairing etc.

It's actually a surprisingly good screen compared to the eyebrow by itself.

[jfslater98]

I started with the windscreen first, and that was definitely the way to go. The hand guards would’ve had to come off to install the screen. Initially I thought the directions were OK, and the procedures themselves are sound. But a few critical tools weren’t in the list, and would it have killed them to include some torque settings? I spent a lot of money on that torque wrench you know. So this post will mainly be some notes on my experiences of following the instructions, and anything outside those directions will be noted. Tools needed:

#2 Phillips Screwdriver (loosen switch assemblies)
Fine Tip Phillips Screwdriver (loosen switch assemblies)
10mm wrench (attach bracketed screen to headlamp brackets)
8mm wrench (tighten screen brackets to screen)
6mm allen socket (remove mirror)
5mm allen socket (remove/tighten headlight bracket bolts)
4mm allen socket (loosen switch assemblies)
2mm (?) or 7/64 allen key or T15 Torx socket (attach bracket to windscreen)
Socket Wrench
Fine tip flathead screwdriver or small knife (scrape out loctite)
White sheet under the motorcycle, to catch loose parts
Dark towel to lay out white plastic washers

It took about 2 hours, although 15 minutes of that was setting up my “workbench”. Overall the instructions were OK, but half were written for a different type of windscreen, and as noted above the Trimm instructions had to be faxed to me. The first part advised that the levers on your handlebars…

http://tinyurl.com/2eglvk

need to be rotated up so that you can remove the headlight mounting bracket bolts.

http://tinyurl.com/28hnh5
http://tinyurl.com/2b6858

Do not use an allen key, use a 5mm allen socket wrench with a hefty handle. It took some muscle to loosen the bolts.
A fair amount of time was spent cleaning out the loctite so the new bolts could be threaded in.
http://tinyurl.com/2bvpmd
I used a small flathead screwdriver, very gently and very slowly, so as not to damage the threads.

Because no accurate part list was given, 5-10 minutes was spent fitting the parts together to see what’s what. And this point forward, all of the parts should be fitted together just finger tight. So the plastic spacers go into the headlight bracket first, then the windshield bracket, then the flat washer then the 8mm bolt.

http://tinyurl.com/2xuymh
http://tinyurl.com/29hhp2

That was repeated on the right side.

Now it's time to put together the windscreen and its brackets. Make sure you have a dark towel to lay out the white plastic washers for the next part, and keep them sealed in the plastic bag until that’s ready. Some anxious moments were spent looking for those washers on my “workbench”. So I set up the windshield by placing the smaller bolt and a plastic washer on the floor, er… I mean my “workbench”, and then placing the windscreen on top, then placing another plastic washer on each bolt.

http://tinyurl.com/2em4ge

Then put the screen bracket on and cap off with the supplied nuts.

http://tinyurl.com/27rx5v

The appropriate size allen key was not listed for attaching the shield brackets to the screen. I used a 7/64 allen key, but a T15 Torx socket may have worked better. Also an 8mm crescent wrench, helped tighten the screen to its brackets.

http://tinyurl.com/yq7zlv

And of course there are the classic leftover parts.
http://tinyurl.com/ystpsp
I guess 4 washers is not so bad, at least they weren’t parts that were already on the cycle.

The screen never looked lined up properly to me, no matter how I adjusted. These pictures are a bit dark, but I wonder if anyone else experienced what I am talking about
http://tinyurl.com/249w7z
http://tinyurl.com/yon66c
http://tinyurl.com/22ou68

Lastly, I was not able to find any torque settings for the bolts in the headlight brackets. I torqued them down to 25nm, but if anyone has accurate numbers I’d appreciate them. And of course I tightened up all the other related nuts and bolts.
Once I got it out in the sunlight and rode around, it seemed OK. After all this I’m wondering if r.b. has the right idea using old helmet visors.

[jfslater98]

Next up was the GS handguards, this job took me about an hour and a half. My first beef is that the instructions have the pictures in the German-language section. Before you start calling me an ugly American, the French, Russians, Swedes and others who do not speak the mother tongue are similarly flipping back and forth in the booklet. Is it really that expensive to reprint the pictures in the various “foreign” languages? Tools needed for Rockster Installation:

5mm Allen socket wrench
T30 Torx socket
Torque Wrench with settings from 5-20nm
Rotozip, Dremel or similar small cutting tool.

Overall instructions here are OK, the left side guard goes on mostly as advertised. They list a 3mm allen key, but installing the guards didn’t need that. Some improvisation is needed to complete the task on a Rockster. Definitely remove the bar weights and place them somewhere safe, they will fall off. Also, as noted in this post:
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=8303
attach the inbound portion of the guards first.

I guess the other beef is that they are GS guards, and not Rockster guards. As Jeff noted, the flatness of the bars causes some grief. And by grief I mean for one of those guards. Yep that’s right, get out the plastic-chewer because that right side brake fitting is not going to clear the standard GS hand guard.
http://tinyurl.com/3y4kln

Look out OCC crew, there’s a new kid in town!
http://tinyurl.com/3c6blj
http://tinyurl.com/2p66gh
Yes, yes, I’m sure you’ve not seen such fine work in your entire life. Stop! You’re embarrassing me, it was nothing, really. Really, it was 30 minutes of Roto-zipping
http://tinyurl.com/3xc34z
Testing the fit
http://tinyurl.com/34pwhn
and zipping some more
http://tinyurl.com/34bd36
until it fits properly on the handlebar bracket. Take your time here, because you can’t obtain these beautiful results unless you have the patience of a fine craftsman like myself.
Laughing Or maybe you’re too to start hacksawing near some essential hoses on your bike, like me.

Shocked
All kidding aside, if anyone sees anything dangerous there, please let me know.

So they’re on
http://tinyurl.com/3dblea
http://tinyurl.com/2my87w

[jfslater98]

So here’s the Rustor with the Wunderlich Rockster Trimm screen and factory R1150GS hand guards installed.

http://tinyurl.com/3c4hfl
http://tinyurl.com/2qq2np

Hmm… I’m torn on the look. Like others have commented, there is a sort of Urban Street Fighter nastiness about it. But I chose the Rockster because I wanted the experience of motorcycling relatively unfiltered. I like the feel of the wind hitting me in the chest. Just not when it’s 30F, so I will live with it at least until April. At this point, I only have a 15 minute ride to judge the functionality of the products. But that 15 minutes was done in the low 30s F, which is not something I would be able to handle without those items.

The screen kept a lot of the arctic blast off my torso, and without buffeting my helmet too much (which is what I found during a GS test ride, leading me back to the Rockster).

The handguards seem to work well also. The only complaint so far is my fingers will occasionally scrape against the inside, but it’s a minor distraction. Before these modifications, I was covetously eyeing the 1200RT at the NYC motorcycle show. But I think this is a nice compromise, and should get more usage out of the bike.

I plan on checking back here to provide a fuller long-term impression of these mods. I may also update the instruction notes above, particularly the part about me not having any metric allen keys.

My apologies for taking up so much space here. I hope this will help those who are considering these same upgrades. Any comments, questions or criticisms are welcome, of course.

[riceburner]

Jf - looks ok.

Have to admit i've never been a fan of that particular screen (I don't like the line of it, it doesn't "flow" from the eyebrow very well), but I think you've fitted it ok. You're right, they often don't look like they're on square, but I think that's mostly because the clocks and lights aren't symetrical and that can skew your perception.

I also wouldn't worry too much about the Torque settings - I rarely use my torque wrench, relying instead on "feel" (ok - after 15 years of practise! ) and the fact that a "normal" spanner is a certain length for a reason.

[478cc]

I have also fitted a trimm screen. With a bit of playing around you can get it to line up pretty well with the curve of the eyebrow.
JF, you need to slide your screen down the two brackets on the headlight support and it will close up the gap.
It looks good when it is lowered and follows the curve of the eyebrow, but then it is too low really for wind protection. I think I found a sweet spot between looking good and keeping the weather off but it took a while and may need further adjusting

I found the noise level went up a lot, not helped by buying a new flip top helmet which is really noisy.
But it looks good. Look up the Caberg Trip. Matt black with slid down inner black visor

[riceburner]

I have also fitted a trimm screen. With a bit of playing around you can get it to line up pretty well with the curve of the eyebrow.
JF, you need to slide your screen down the two brackets on the headlight support and it will close up the gap.
It looks good when it is lowered and follows the curve of the eyebrow, but then it is too low really for wind protection. I think I found a sweet spot between looking good and keeping the weather off but it took a while and may need further adjusting

I found the noise level went up a lot, not helped by buying a new flip top helmet which is really noisy.
But it looks good. Look up the Caberg Trip. Matt black with slid down inner black visor

yes - the noise level will ride because you now have a lot more "disturbed" airflow around your head.

[jfslater98]

One extra note here is the oil change, which I also completed on that day. Were it not for the magnetic oil plug I ordered from Santa Cruz BMW, which included a crush washer, I would not have been able to change the oil. The filter came from A+S BMW, and although it was specifically noted in the order, no crush washer was in the package. After a couple of prompts, I was told that one would be shipped to me. But as of now, none has arrived. Unless A+S addresses this issue, I have spent my last dollar with them.

It looks good when it is lowered and follows the curve of the eyebrow, but then it is too low really for wind protection.

It's tempting, but I must leave it at "full sail" for this nasty NE weather. Maybe as it warms up a bit, I'll lower it to proper height.

[ScooterCop]

Unless A+S addresses this issue, I have spent my last dollar with them.

I had a very small problem with A+S, I bought the oil change kit but they forgot rubber gloves. Not a big deal at all. When the sales dept sent me a follow up email, I said everything was fine, except they forgot the gloves. The sales guy apologized and set me up with a $10 dollar gift certificate code. I was so impressed with that small token, that I immediately went to their site and used the $10. I have since bought a few things from them, mostly advertised in the e-mail specials, at great savings. I would give them the chance to get things right. They seem like they try to do the right thing. I have no affiliation with them at all, I live on the opposite coast.

Get on their e-mail list for some awesome deals, like, Marsee tank bag for $75, elestric vest for $100.

[mad1150]

I just order a bunch of stuff from them, including 2 oil filters w/crush rings. I'll share my experience. I should get them Wed this week.

[jfslater98]

I would give them the chance to get things right.

Absolutely. Everyone has off days, I'm sure I've angered more than my fair share of "customers", I work in IT. I just sent them another email, and to their credit they responded fairly quickly.

[mad1150]

Well my order got split in two because the TwinMax and RatioRite were on BO. No a big deal the second shipment sould be here Friday.

The Oil Filters, OF Wrench, and Feeler Guages came today. The crush washers were taped to the outside of the filter box.

Can't complain about anything. (Except the weather!)

[jfslater98]

I’ve gotten a few rides in since the install. Overall it has been a worthy upgrade. With proper clothes (silk turtleneck and balaclava, fleece sweater, ComforTemp winter gloves), and the hand grips at full bake, I am OK at 30F. Buffeting not too bad on the helmet, and my hands didn’t feel like a badly cooked frozen pizza. 80+ blasts on 287 were comfortable. Maybe too comfortable…

There's not much difference in wind interference between 70mph and 90. Without the windscreen, there is a natural speed limiter as the wind gets to be too much on my torso. Something that must be monitored. Also there's an updraft of wind directly on my neck and chin that I did not notice before, so neck protection is a must.

But it's doing it's job: this week there were a few days where it was 30F in the morning and 50F by noon. Instead of guiltily skulking off in the cage, I happily cruised up to work.

A&S has sent me a shipping notification of a 1 pound package. Seems like they may be finally making good on the plug washer. I may purchase from them again some day.

No a big deal the second shipment sould be here Friday.

Mad, how did that turn out, everything show up OK?

[ranmar850]

Those screens work very well for their size, and don't look out of place at all, IMHO. 160km/hr and you aren't getting torn off the bike at all, 130km/hr for hours on end is fine, wind-wise. Mind you, we don't ride (get) temps of less than 4 deg C around here......I have actually just got back from playing with a camera mount, and can tell you that the screen distorts vision thru it; doesn't bother the rider, of course, as you are not looking thru it like the camera.

Due to your weather, I will forgive you the handguards