Cali 1400 Windscreen Saga

[mjptexas]

So here's the story on my Cali 1400 windscreen saga.  First let me start by saying I really don't care much for windshields.  I've traditionally ridden naked bikes with no more than a fly screen or or small sport screen on the bike.  I like having air movement around my helmet in the Texas heat.  The Cali 1400 is my first ever cruiser.  The riding position is great up to about 65 mph.  Above 75 mph I find myself hanging on for my life.  I reluctantly decided I needed to add some wind protection.

I'd like to thank the people on the forum that shared some of their solutions.  I did look at cutting down the stock Touring screen but decided against it.  So I started out going this route.  This was a prototype from Parabellum:







We started with a height of 18 inches.  I really liked the looks of the screen but I had some uncomfortable buffeting on the top of my helmet,  so I sent it back to get shortened - twice.  The first time we cut it down to 4 inches, which actually led to worse buffeting. 

Finally we shortened it to about 12 inches and narrowed it up a bit and ended up with this:







I thought we had it as it broke the wind and made the bike much more rideable at higher speeds.  Unfortunately I was still experiencing a lot of turbulence so I finally took it off.

I played around with the Dart flyscreen off of my Bonneville and figured something that size may actually give me what I wanted. 

So I ended up doing this:









It's the dark Fly Screen from National Cycle.  I ordered one that would fit the Bonneville.  I ground off the outer lower edges on the screen and fabricated new brackets out of aluminum (If I can make brackets that work ANYONE can) and mounted it to the light brackets as shown.

I've ridden about 400 miles behind it and am pretty happy.  It's noisier than the naked bike but for me creates just enough wind break that I can ride more comfortably at 70-75 mph.  I plan to leave it on for now.

I have to say the folks at Parabellum were GREAT to work with.  I think their product is fairly priced and the fit and finish was great.  I suspect if I would have started with a 20 inch tall screen I would not have had the buffering on the top of my helmet and may still have the screen on the bike.  I may actually get one for winter riding.

[Bill Hagan]

Impressive R&D!

The flyscreen is spectacular.   :bow

Bill

[Cam3512]

That Parabellum is invisible!

[Wayne Orwig]

Looks too vertical. Did you try laying it down a bit?

[segesta]

Your riding situation sounds identical to mine. I've got the good people at Rose Farm investigating the Moto Guzzi-branded Cali 1400 "sport screen" (~8" x 13") I've seen online, but as with many accessories, nobody is certain if this product actually exists.
I'll keep the forum posted... and thanks for the photos.

[190 Octane]

Your riding situation sounds identical to mine. I've got the good people at Rose Farm investigating the Moto Guzzi-branded Cali 1400 "sport screen" (~8" x 13") I've seen online, but as with many accessories, nobody is certain if this product actually exists.
I'll keep the forum posted... and thanks for the photos.

I'd like to see the sport screen installed as well, if it exists.

[swalker]

I bought the Moto Guzzi windshield for my custom...No complaints so far.
Steve

[mjptexas]

Looks too vertical. Did you try laying it down a bit?

I added a spacer at the bottom that increased the screen angle and also increased the space between the headlight for the smaller screen before I switched to the fly screen.  I thought the increased angle and additional airflow would help but I didn't feel an appreciable difference.

[segesta]

I bought the Moto Guzzi windshield for my custom...No complaints so far.
Steve

The smaller "sport" one mentioned above? Share a picture or two if it's convenient, I'd really like to see it installed.

[mjptexas]

I was doing ok with the National Fly Screen, but when I was on the AF1 Racing site I found the official Moto Guzzi Sport Screen.  First time I'd ever seen it available in the U.S. 
So for those of you what winder what it looks like:









Mounted it late Sunday.  Did the cursory high speed ride down the tollway.  Initial results are promising.  Not very noisy and breaks the wind blast so you don't get blown off the bike.  I think this one will stay on the bike.

[segesta]

Cool, thanks for the photos. The screen is more... dainty than I expected. But if it does the job.

[tigertom]

I put the tall parabellum on my custom and love it.
I am 6ft tall and that is what they recommended.

[LuftWolf]

Thank You, Thank You, Thankyou!  I have search in vain for a picture of that OEM Sport windscreen installed & finally
can see it. 

[Gootsz]

Skidmarx makes one looks more like harley type shield though

http://www.skidmarx.co.uk/moto-guzzi/90226-moto-guzzi-california-1400-2013.html

US distributor is Street fighters by design in Florida.
http://www.streetfightersbydesign.com/


micky

[lucian]

Like the looks of the af1 the best  ,hope it does the trick . I put the guzzi touring windshield on my custom but definitely notice some buffeting , was thinking about cutting it down also . I'm grateful you just took all the guess work out of it for me. What do you have on your griso ?   Dave

[guzzitime]

Ever heard of a Laminar lip?  They worked grea :Dt for me.

[Gootsz]

I have givi 755n mini faring. Now out of production. Shame very happy with it. raises wind to head minor buffeting.
Sorry picture post illiterate.

micky

[oilhed]

I'd like to see the sport screen installed as well, if it exists.

Me likey