Well, I had pretty much figured that the sled was just about all completed. Then Winter hit. And hit with a vengeance she did. After a 1400 mile gallop to Florida and back in 38F weather, it was all but clear to me that I need to get some of the wind blast off me. Since I am so very short in the torso, it's not going to take very much to solve this issue. Or so the quest always begins.
After mulling options from Cee Baileys, and a few others I opt for the Sport Vtechnik Vstream Windscreen in smoke color.
After mulling options from Cee Baileys, and a few others I opt for the Sport Vtechnik Vstream Windscreen in smoke color.
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This was definitely a situation where I should have looked before I lept. It was immediately obvious of 2 things as soon as I unboxed it for mock-up. First off, the bubbly shape of the screen looked like it belonged more on a bike from the 1970s CHIPS bike than on the modern chiseled body of the F700. While I may have been able to wince my eyes, the larger issue was one not so trivially ignored. Despite being a direct vendor for BMW, Vtechnik didn't cut the windshield to allow for the BMW hand guards. So, the bike probably lost the last 5 degrees of motion as you rotated the bars to full lock. Not that I was terribly concerned about the 5 degrees, in so much as, I was sure that I was just bust off the windshield....and knowing me at the most inconvenient time. Noodling though this mess, I do find one solution. This guy is apparently a wizard with a jig saw, and makes this amazing notch. I don't think I have that gift, and it seems wrong to give it a go on $200 windscreen that is still from the 1970s. Back to vendor it goes.
I guess I should have started this story with my first failure of windscreens. I had originally planned on running the stock F800gs windscreen, with is the correct height for me, doesn't vibrate, doesn't hit the hand guards a full lock and matches the lines of the body panels. However, to the fit the F700gs, you need to buy additional brackets. No biggie, they were $10 and I was on my way. Except, after they came in I never test fit them. As it turns out, there are actually two different brackets, and naturally I need the $60 bracket. BMW Part number 77 33 8 531 603 SET: SET, WINDSHIELD HOLDERS
Not content to accept this dorky bracket solution, I retreat to my thinking cave. Original height of the F700GS windscreen measures 7" (180mm) tall when measured in a center line from top center and 10" wide.
It was by sheer brilliance, that I find a chap that build a better mouse trap. Instead of using the brackets, he simply cut off the F800gs sides. This will get me just enough clearance at 8.6" (220mm).
It was by sheer brilliance, that I find a chap that build a better mouse trap. Instead of using the brackets, he simply cut off the F800gs sides. This will get me just enough clearance at 8.6" (220mm).
The starting point--the stock F700GS windscreen. Where did all those craze marks come from in 7 months of use!
 F800GS Windscreen, notice the angle of the sides |  Cutting off the side support from the F800GS to match the F700GS side support |
We actually cut the F800GS windscreen in two steps. The old adage, I've cut it twice and it's too short! The first cut was at the bend of the side support into the main screen. This allowed us to bolt it up. From there, we were able to match the line angle of the F700GS side. But first, we need to tape it off to work the screen without scratching it all to hell.
Now that we've got this project by the tail, time to throw it on the Baldor buffer with the 3M wheel to grind down the sharp cut of the edges. While we are there, just round the corners a hair. But why stop there? It's a black and red bike, time to black out the windscreen. So, into the blasting machine to lightly peen the inside surface so the paint will have a nice surface to stick to. By appplying the paint to the inside of the screen, it doesn't chip off when it gets hit by road debris. Three coats later of Krylon Fusion for Plastic Spray paint and she's done.
 Height Comparison F700GS to F800GS |  No interference issues. |
And Done! As a bonus, all the instrument cluster is now nicely concealed too.