Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

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retrodog
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Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

I've noticed for some time that the windshield is loose on the right top mount area. That bolt is not curving the windshield support bracket downward against the surface of the plexiglass. And it wouldn't seem to tighten up any more. There is about 1/4" (6.35mm) of opening there. There is a similar gap on the left side but only about half that (maybe a bit more).

So I removed all four bolts and found that the windshield is held in place by four supports that protrude up to the holes in the fairing. Four washers with some spacers (softer material, maybe plastic) hold the windshield suspended above the fairing. So there is no way that it can press down tight against the fairing. And likewise, there is no way that the rubber seal will be pushed down against the windshield.

What's up with that? Is it just "sorry Charlie" for this or is something wrong with the bike?

MOSFETmeltdown
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

Yes, I noticed this on my Vectrix.
I took off the screen and used the black rubber part as a template to cut similar shaped 'spacers' out of some thick black canvas I had knocking about.

That cured it!

retrodog
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

Yes, I noticed this on my Vectrix.
I took off the screen and used the black rubber part as a template to cut similar shaped 'spacers' out of some thick black canvas I had knocking about.

That cured it!

I was considering that option. I have some nice black foam rubber that would be just about perfect for filling that gap. I was just wondering if others had run into the same problem. Thanks for posting.

rgx
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

I guess it was meant to be like this, with some clearance between the fairing and shield. Doesn't bother me. And stops dirt or water getting trapped in the slot, it falls right through.

retrodog
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

I guess it was meant to be like this, with some clearance between the fairing and shield. Doesn't bother me. And stops dirt or water getting trapped in the slot, it falls right through.

Yes, I've noticed that. But the additional flexing allows it to make excessive noise when going over any bumpy ground, like railroad tracks. Kind of a trade-off, I suppose.

moccasin
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

But the additional flexing allows it to make excessive noise when going over any bumpy ground, like railroad tracks. Kind of a trade-off, I suppose.

That's a designed-in safety feature. It's built that way to remind you that you aren't riding on the good stuff. ;-) Owners of bikes without these kinds of high-tek features have had to resort to hanging little bells off the framework. HAHA!! :-)

Sandy
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

Hi Folks,
That windshield is a pain. I had the same problem but I don't have it any more. The cure is quite simple. If you remove the bolts on one side and take off the alloy piece that the bolts pass through, you will notice that there are two protruding pieces through which the bolts pass. They protrude through the windshield and tighten up against the fibre washers.
The problem is caused by the protrusions (through which the bolts pass) being too long. I ground about 5mm to 8mm off each protrusion (they are an alloy of some kind) until they were a snug fit when replaced and bolted up. I did the same the other side and Hey Pressto, I no longer have a rattling windshield.
I'll do drawings if this is not clear enough for you. I hope this information helps.
Have fun
Sandy.

retrodog
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

The real problem is that the fairing is not structurally reinforced for any pressure at these points. Normally it would have some internal structure and the windshield would be attached to that, essentially sandwiching the fairing's outter layer between the windshield and the support.

By grinding off the supports so that the windshield will compress down tight, stress is being applied to the non-reinforced surface area of the fairing. I'd be concerned that this, if done a little too tight, could eventually lead to stress fractures on the fairing.

AndY1
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

I installed my windshield with a help of my girlfriends, because my Vectrix came straight from the factory. It was a perfect fit here.

Sandy
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

Greetings,
I appreciate retrodogs comments on my windshield rattle cure. However, there is support for the windshield beneath the fairing. The support consists of four steel bars end on and which the windshield fastening bolts screw into. The bars have a steel washer welded to them and fibre washers for packing. The windshield id effectively sandwiched between the steel washers and the fixing bolts. I really don't forsee any potential problems with my modification. Rather I see it as a case of reworking a badly finished fixing system. I guess that it is all a matter of how you see things. I am happy with my rattle free windshield, you may be happy to let it rattle. Frankly it drove me to distraction. Best wishes,
Sandy

retrodog
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

Greetings,
I appreciate retrodogs comments on my windshield rattle cure. However, there is support for the windshield beneath the fairing. The support consists of four steel bars end on and which the windshield fastening bolts screw into. The bars have a steel washer welded to them and fibre washers for packing. The windshield id effectively sandwiched between the steel washers and the fixing bolts. I really don't forsee any potential problems with my modification. Rather I see it as a case of reworking a badly finished fixing system. I guess that it is all a matter of how you see things. I am happy with my rattle free windshield, you may be happy to let it rattle. Frankly it drove me to distraction. Best wishes,
Sandy

I think you've misunderstood my earlier comments. Sorry for that if I didn't communicate them adequately. I realize that the bars come up and support the windshield. But as far as I can tell, they only support the windshield.

My concern is that any approach that essentially sandwiches the windshield down against the fairing might put stress on the fairing via this pressure. I've never removed the fairing so I don't know for a fact whether it is re-enforced or not. So I need to withdraw my earlier statements about that. But without knowing that it is supported well, I'd not apply any significant pressure on the fairing. I like your solution, but I'm just concerned about it and the forces it creates... well to the extent that I understand it anyway.

I'm also getting a lot of squeaks from inside the fairing so I might be taking it apart at some level to track those down. I guess that's the downside of riding in cold weather.

kevin smith
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

well when i recived my scooter back found it titend up . nice one vectrix
but i was gonna get round to it come on lads it carn't be that hard to fix ??
well what i would of done is loosen all bolts and put its like black and foam type materal and dubble
sidded material we use it in england for sticking regestration plates on cars . licensence plates on and my be carpets too its on a roll
so just pop a bit undr the spacer and hay presto instant packing......kev

Mik
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Re: Windshield is Loose and Can't Be Tightened

This thread has been added to the Vectrix Collaborative Handbook, please stay on topic!

This information may be used entirely at your own risk.

There is always a way if there is no other way!

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