Road King Classic windshield height, what's yours?

14268 Views 24 Replies 11 Participants Last post by SunCruise, Nov 22, 2014

mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · Oct 27, 2014

I currently have a stock Harley quick release on my 2002, though it didn't come with the bike when I bought it used last year. It measures 20" from headlight to the top. I've used it all this year but find it a little annoying in that I'm constantly either stretching a little to look over the top or else through it. An inch or inch an a half lower I think would be ideal and I'm presently contemplating either trimming it over the winter or just buying a Memphis shades replacement.
What are your preferred heights, if any?

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Silverback

· #2 · Oct 27, 2014

I'm fortunate enough so that the standard stock height is perfect for me. But the correct one for you is strictly dependent on your height, build, and riding posture. There is no one single correct height for everybody.

One other thought: I noticed that you have the stock seat. Many find out after a bit that they need/want to go to a different seat. I would not trim or change the windshield until you are sure of the seat height that you will want to settle on.

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mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 27, 2014

Did Harley offer them as an option with variable heights when the bikes were bought new?

Silverback

· #4 · Oct 27, 2014

No. But there are a number of different replacement height options available in the accessories catalog. Some dealers offer demo windshields as part of Harley's "Fit Shop" program.

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mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 27, 2014

Silverback said:
One other thought: I noticed that you have the stock seat. Many find out after a bit that they need/want to go to a different seat. I would not trim or change the windshield until you are sure of the seat height that you will want to settle on.

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Thanks, I don't anticipate changing the seat. I actually replaced the seat to that one. The one it came with was sort of a one piece frame with two part cushions and a thicker passenger seat. I opted for the stock one. Also, at 5'7" I'm about at my limit for seat height and being able to keep feet stability on the ground.

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mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 27, 2014

Silverback said:
No. But there are a number of different replacement height options available in the accessories catalog. Some dealers offer demo windshields as part of Harley's "Fit Shop" program.

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I was at an open house at a dealership in NH a few weeks ago and they had a used 2003 Road King there with a windshield that measured 19". It seemed just about right for me sitting on it.

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Silverback

· #7 · Oct 27, 2014

mcnphotog said:
Thanks, I don't anticipate changing the seat. I actually replaced the seat to that one. The one it came with was sort of a one piece frame with two part cushions and a ticker passenger seat. I opted for the stock one.

Yeah, well I didn't either. Give it some time. You'll find yourself changing a number of things. It's a disease.

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mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 27, 2014

Silverback said:
Yeah, well I didn't either. Give it some time. You'll find yourself changing a number of things. It's a disease.

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I hear ya, the smarter, safer route would be then to buy the shorter replacement. That way I still have the stock to go back to at some point should I decide. I've got the winter to think about it anyway. Only a few more weeks before it gets put away int the back of the garage.

btsom

· #9 · Oct 27, 2014

Many replacement windshields are just the "window", no new hardware. If you are thinking of swapping back and forth, changing the hardware between windows may get a bit tedious. When I bought my King new, the factory shield was a bit short. The dealer changed it for one an inch taller at no charge before it went out the door. That is no use to you now, but it does answer the question if different heights are available. I am an unusual rider in that I like to look through the windshield as the bigger the bug, the less it will be deflected by the airflow going up over the shield.

mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 27, 2014

btsom said:
Many replacement windshields are just the "window", no new hardware. If you are thinking of swapping back and forth, changing the hardware between windows may get a bit tedious. When I bought my King new, the factory shield was a bit short. The dealer changed it for one an inch taller at no charge before it went out the door. That is no use to you now, but it does answer the question if different heights are available. I am an unusual rider in that I like to look through the windshield as the bigger the bug, the less it will be deflected by the airflow going up over the shield.

Right, the one's I've been looking at don't come with the hardware. I don't as much expect to switch between the two as prefer to have he original in reserve.
I've never had a windshield before getting this bike and can appreciate the bug issue and protection overall but the trouble I've noticed most with looking through the (this) shield is at night. The glare and conditions at times greatly impair my visibility.

beadad

· #11 · Oct 27, 2014

I'm 5'11" and replaced my stock rk (on my old bike) windscreen with a 19" Memphis shades windscreen. Perfect height for me

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DLM Prez

· #12 · Oct 28, 2014

I was having issues with wind buffeting on my stock RKC shield. Whenever I traveled at speeds greater than 60 mph, the wind would rattle my helmet and sunglasses. I changed the shield to Long Ride Shields which has a curved lip at the very top that helps to deflect the wind higher and over my helmet. Much calmer air now behind the shield and my helmet doesn't rattle my brain like before.

cdrprn

· #13 · Oct 28, 2014

In the past I've altered windshields with good results though you have to be careful to tape well first to avoid a bad cut. Personally, I would have another one made or go with the Memphis, which is a good product. There is another company, Cee Bailey, that makes a good custom product (just the plastic) too. BOL

2013 FLHRC

peanut

· #14 · Oct 28, 2014

DLM Prez said:
I was having issues with wind buffeting on my stock RKC shield. Whenever I traveled at speeds greater than 60 mph, the wind would rattle my helmet and sunglasses. I changed the shield to Long Ride Shields which has a curved lip at the very top that helps to deflect the wind higher and over my helmet. Much calmer air now behind the shield and my helmet doesn't rattle my brain like before.

Same here. LRS worked great for me. Did have to notch out for the apes.

mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 29, 2014

beadad said:
I'm 5'11" and replaced my stock rk (on my old bike) windscreen with a 19" Memphis shades windscreen. Perfect height for me

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Does your Memphis shades shield measure exactly 19" from the headlight to the top? My HD shield is just over 19.75.

Diezel

· #16 · Oct 30, 2014

I have a LRS recurve. It is 19.75".

I am 6'3" and I see comfortably over the top and have no wind issues.

TOTAL CARNAGE

· #17 · Oct 30, 2014

I cut about two inches off my stock windshield. Like you, I had to stretch to look over or slouch to look through...I can't get you a measurement, my shield is at my shop now. I'll check it tomorrow.

beadad

· #18 · Oct 30, 2014 (Edited)

mcnphotog said:
Does your Memphis shades shield measure exactly 19" from the headlight to the top? My HD shield is just over 19.75.

I think it did from the bottom of the windshield (just above the light) to the top. Don't have it anymore.

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mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 30, 2014

beadad said:
I think it did from the bottom of the windshield (just above the light) to the top.

Yes, that's the dimension I'm referring to, the one in this diagram that measures 22"

I just purchased another shield the same size I have now on ebay for cheap money. I'll use that one for trimming to get the desired size. If I mess it up no big loss.

Thanks

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mcnphotog

Discussion Starter · #20 · Nov 16, 2014

I cut the shield I bought on ebay yesterday and tried it out this morning. It works great. I brought it down about an inch to a total of 18.75" headlight to top. The cut was fairly clean and easy to do though I probably would have benefited by having the hardware on it first to support it.

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