Road King Windshield

As a proud new owner of a 2004 Road King Classic, I like the ability to quickly remove the windshield, but am a little concerned that it just seems a little too easy !

The manual says stick your fingers in the spring clips to release the screen and lift off, but mine seem to almost fall forwards with the lightest touch.

Shouldn't it be at least a little more secure, or am I just being paranoid ?

[BaZa®]

You can tighten up the two nuts either side of the screen that it slots into. Be carefull not to over tighten as they are holding rubber washers that the frame fitting sits in.

The reason the screen comes off easily is that in the worst case scenario if a rider crashes and goes through the bars the screen will not stay there and crush them.

[SJC69]

You should not be able to push the screen forward to easily, i.e. with a very light touch, there should be some resistance, a firm pull from the front is what should be needed to release it.

A couple of points worth mentioning:-

The wire spring clips with the loops (The bit the hand book suggests you put your fingers in) that are supposed to be latches do not do much really and most likely don't really make contact with anything!

What holds the shield in place is the rubber grommets, as the bike is moving the force of the wind will be pushing it back too and also will holds it in place.

Bearing this in mind it is important that you locate the screen brackets in the grommets properly to get a snug fit, it's quite likely your brackets do not automatically drop in place in the centre of the grommets and if so will not hold the screen in place as tight as it should.

To put the screen on I find the simplest way is to have the bars in the central position, straddle the mudguard holding the screen, so you can see the grommets when looking down. Locate the bottom brackets in the centre of the grommets, you may well have to flex the screen to do this by pulling on the brackets.
Once in place push the screen back and ensure the top of the brackets are also in the centre of the grommets, again some flexing may well be necessary to achieve this and then a firm push of the screen should be needed to fully seat it, best to push the centre metal strip near the mounting brackets and that should do it.

If with proper fitment and location it is still to easy to remove or if you want some added security you can just put a couple of cable ties round the brackets to ensure that the screen will not just fall forward!

[BaZa®]

Originally Posted by SJC69

if you want some added security you can just put a couple of cable ties round the brackets to ensure that the screen will not just fall forward!

Would still like it untied for safety's sake.

Thanks guys, I hadn't thought of the safety issue. I've had bikes with big screens before (Jap/BMW) and they were pretty firmly mounted !

I think it is seated properly so I'll guess I'll try slightly tightening the nuts as suggested.

[Phil]

Also it is made so that while you are moving forward the wind pushes it on tighter. It cannot come off while moving.