Winshield replacement opinions needed

[LaVoyd Davis]

Hi,  I'm new to this board and I have a "new to me" '98 Valkyrie with somewhat of a foggy winshield.
 I 'm near sure it is the Honda line product . . . and just the plastic replacement is around $250. . . .from honda online. . .   Need opinions from those in the know. . . .what are my other options?
Is the Honda shield a good choice?
Any input appreciated . . . . Thanks:)

[Doug88]

I'm in the same situation with a stock Honda windshield that has seen better days.  The Clearview windshield looks to be a better deal at $165.  The company claims it is a match for the stock windshield and will use the existing frame.

I haven't made the purchase yet has anyone else tried the Clearview and if so do you recommend their product?

http://www.clearviewshields.com

[LaVoyd Davis]

Thanks for the in-fo.  (My valk looks just like yours)   I went to their site and signed up for their price and info brochure... is that where you got your pricing.  ($165)
 That is quite a savings.   I would be real interested in opinions of their product also
My shield glares bad at night  I need to do something pretty quick.

[Tropic traveler]

I bit the bullet and bought the OEM Honda replacement. The previous owner had cut it down too far for me {he was a short guy I guess} and had painted the part around the headlight black which looked bad. That was on top of being just plain worn out, 9 years old and 60,000 miles.
Very simple to install, perfect fit and man does it look & work better!
Worn out old cut down w/s.>>

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Bill]

Memphis Shades and Rifle also make good replacement shields that are less expensive that the OEM. Just be careful that you don't have any bolt ons (like some driving lights) that will only fit the OEM shield before ordering a replacement.

[Tropic traveler]

With new $250 Honda shield!
MUUUCCCHHH better!!
I put a Memphis Fats on the wife's Spirit and it is thicker than the OEM Honda shield. If you go with an aftermarket w/s make sure you check the thickness or you may have a surprise when the OE hardware is too short!!

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Tropic traveler]

LaVoyd,
Another thing to consider.
If you get the W/S from Direct Line, there will be free shipping and no sales tax to you in OK.
Let me know if you need more pics of how a OEM Tourer W/S mounts to be sure that is what you have on your Valk. I have been assuming you only want to buy the replacement Lexan and reuse your hardware and mounts.

[Doug88]

Lavoyd,
Yes I requested the Clearview sales brochure for the prices and specs.  They have 14 different shields for the Valk but the one that matches your stock windshield is $165 with $20 shipping and no sales tax.  They also offer a preinstalled vent (like the new Goldwings) for $40.  Their last claim is that their shield is slightly thicker than stock making it more rigid.
Doug

[Cycho]

Hondaline windshield is Lexan with a very hard surface coating.
  Clearview windshield is polycarbonate without any coating, also is thicker than the stock w/s.
  A number of folks have used the Clearview with good results using the stock hardware, but I'll stick with the OEM shield.  HDL sells both.

Dan

[LaVoyd Davis]

So I need to verify that I have an original Honda shield and hardware huh?

I'm not finding any markings on the hardware. . .
 
The chrome strips going up and down measure 1-5/8" wide and the cross piece 2"wide . . . .There are 7 bolts through the glass with 8mm heads and 10 mm nuts
 
attachments at the top are on the upper triple tree with a strap that partially goes around the fork tube
 
On the bottom it is secured to a cross piece bolted to the fork brace at the bottom.

Shield has some Lexan emblem embosed in it on the left lower corner

If some one would verify this please . . . . Thanks

[Tropic traveler]

Sounds like you have a Honda W/S. I think the add on Hondaline is the same that came stock on Tourers.
Sounds like you have a couple of options.
Backside mount bracket pic from my 97 Tourer.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Tropic traveler]

7 bolts total, 5 on top, 2 on bottom. 8mm and 10mm wrench size on the bolts. Here's the backside reinforcement pic.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Have you tried cleaning the shield with a high quality car polish?  A little trick a local "plastics expert" taught me.  That "fog" he says is actually tiny scratches caused by ammonia in window cleaner, cracking the surface of the plastic (lexan or what have you). I had an older shield with some fog and it works.  Some nice elbow grease and baby diapers worked pretty well.  Also makes those pesky bugs come off easier.  Just my 2 cents...might save you some $.  Good Luck.

[hoser]

I bought the clearview, it can be ordered any height, fits the frame perfectly,can be ordered without signal notches,for light bar use, doesn't need longer bolts, does not quiver in the windblast, and is very optically correct. It also can be ordered in lite smoke as well as clear.  It is custom made, I got mine in about 3 weeks.  It is a much better shield than the hondaline.  Hoser

[Doug88]

Hoser
Thanks for the post I've been waiting to hear from someone who has tried the Clearview and your description has me ready to buy from them.  I think I'll spring for the vent since it gets pretty warm here in NM during the summer.