Windshields and tank slappers Definitely Guzzi content

[Ncdan]

Over the 55 years of ridding and dozens of different makes, models and types, I’ve learned one thing, When obtaining a different or new to you bike, one should ease into it by taking your time learning the bikes particulars as some definitely have quirks.
As many of you know I recently got an 02 Stone and trying to accumulate some miles, even in this heat, to check everything out.
Today was the, at highway speed test. The Stone came with the plexifairing 3 type windshield, made by Nation Cycle as I’ve been told, however the mounting system is different from the 3 other plexi3 I have owned. The actual Plexi 3 has mounting hardware which attaches in four points, 2 attached to the lower forks with brackets and 2 attaches to the handlebars/with brackets.
The stones mounting system is 4 brackets, 2 upper and 2 lower attached to the forks only. I’m not saying which is better or worse, just pointing out the hardware mounting system.
I have never detected or noticed and abnormal effects from the 3 plexi3 shields on any of my previous bikes, one being an 04 EV however not so with the Stone. On today’s ride while on the slab and just moving with the traffic, at slightly above 80mph the bike development a wobble. My experience and gut feeling told me not to push it any harder or I’d be in the middle of a “tank Slapper”, a mans got to know his bikes limitations and I found my Stones today.
Conversation welcome.

[nsmith]

On my Bassa I found a squared off rear tire and too soft a setting on the rear shocks added up to a high speed tank slapper. however I would also be traveling up in the triple digit numbers on the speedo. Never had any issues at less than 100mph. That is using the Guzzi cop style windshield. New tire never acted up but in the flat lands of eastern South Dakota the tire is going to get squared off no mater what ya do.

[Zoom Zoom]

I have many, many miles behind that shield on the EV's I had, easily over 100K. I never experienced any trouble. Even topped out in Western Nebraska. I do realize this is a point of contention on the board,but after the junk steering damper went belly up, I put a much better aftermarket damper on both EV's. But like I said, I NEVER had any trouble in that regard. I never ran without a damper but I know many do.

John Henry

[Ncdan]

On my Bassa I found a squared off rear tire and too soft a setting on the rear shocks added up to a high speed tank slapper. however I would also be traveling up in the triple digit numbers on the speedo. Never had any issues at less than 100mph. That is using the Guzzi cop style windshield. New tire never acted up but in the flat lands of eastern South Dakota the tire is going to get squared off no mater what ya do.

Interesting take on the shock issue. I just took out the preload tension on the rear shocking because the PO, 300lb
Feller, had really cranked them down! I only weigh 165-170 so I released the tension close to complete extension 🤔

[Ncdan]

I have many, many miles behind that shield on the EV's I had, easily over 100K. I never experienced any trouble. Even topped out in Western Nebraska. I do realize this is a point of contention on the board,but after the junk steering damper went belly up, I put a much better aftermarket damper on both EV's. But like I said, I NEVER had any trouble in that regard. I never ran without a damper but I know many do.

John Henry

Was it the the same type shield mounted the same way, to the forks only?

[mobiker]

Take the windshield off. Go for a ride and repeat the conditions as close as possible.
No change? Its not the windshield.
All joy? It is the windshield.
Easy and reversible.

[Ncdan]

Take the windshield off. Go for a ride and repeat the conditions as close as possible.
No change? Its not the windshield.
All joy? It is the windshield.
Easy and reversible.

That’s probably good advise Mo but I really don’t want to remove that shield as I had to do some redoing from the factory attaching symptom to get it attached.

[Zoom Zoom]

Was it the the same type shield mounted the same way, to the forks only?

Yes sir! I actually sold an original Swanee off my second EV and found another one of these. Guzzi accessory NM002, or NM0002 "California Sport Touring Shield" because I liked it so much on the bike I lost in the flood.

Now that they're nearly impossible to find, I would still try to seek one out if I got another late Tonti Cali.

John Henry

[Ncdan]

Ok guys I’ve got to start somewhere so I think the steering damper is as good a place as any.
Could some of you guys school me as to how to adjust?
I adjusted the one on my EV and Calvin from one extreme to the other and road the same road over and over as I adjusted and never did feel any changes or difference, go figure.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Before doing anything mechanical, get up to speed again and lean forward as much as possible...This can often stop or lessen a wobble...Of course you can't ride like this very long but it may give a clue...It can something simple like a tire air pressue adjustment....or steering bearings, or what others have said...
   

[Ncdan]

Before doing anything mechanical, get up to speed again and lean forward as much as possible...This can often stop or lessen a wobble...Of course you can't ride like this very long but it may give a clue...It can something simple like a tire air pressue adjustment....or steering bearings, or what others have said...
 

Bike just turned 10k so the bearings are fine and I have checked the tension and there’s no play. I’m thinking it’s Possibly the shields effect. I’ve eliminated any tire issue, New tire on the front, I did drop from a 110 to a 100 series.

[TN Mark]

Yes sir! I actually sold an original Swanee off my second EV and found another one of these. Guzzi accessory NM002, or NM0002 "California Sport Touring Shield" because I liked it so much on the bike I lost in the flood.

Now that they're nearly impossible to find, I would still try to seek one out if I got another late Tonti Cali.

John Henry

Yes sir! I had two of them as one was lost when I wrecked my 99 Bassa. I immediately bought a second NM002 California Touring Shield for the second Bassa. I also thought it worked much better than the Swanee fairing I also had at the time. IMHO, the NM002 out performed the Swanee and looked great doing so. Finding that shield now could be a task, finding the mounting hardware could be even harder. The Classic windshield that was first offered for the Bassa looked great but performed horribly.

NCDan, If the angle of your current windshield can be adjusted, that’s a path that could be worth traveling. But first, as has been suggested, remove the shield entirely to verify the situation is with the bike or the shield.

[lucian]

Did you have your banjo strapped on your back again? Mabe the box sticking out one side and the neck out the other created an imbalance in the airstream.

[Ncdan]

Did you have your banjo strapped on your back again? Mabe the box sticking out one side and the neck out the other created an imbalance in the airstream.

Lol you ole Salt, but you may have a point👍

[Huzo]

Did you have your banjo strapped on your back again? Mabe the box sticking out one side and the neck out the other created an imbalance in the airstream.

A banjo player with inherent instability...?
Never let it be said.

[Ncdan]

A banjo player with inherent instability...?
Never let it be said.

Huzo, with buddy pals like you and Lucian I hope I don’t make any enemies here🤣🤣🤣
Now how about some helpful suggestions on how to fix my wobble so as I can speed and break the law

[lucian]

If a 300lb. rider had been riding it with the suspension cranked up I would be giving the suspension front and rear a thorough once over. check your sags and front forks for proper damping ect.  Tire pressure and balance also.  Check out the basic setup stuff before overthinking it.

[LowRyter]

I have no comment regarding your experience riding the bike. 

I do agree with your position that the Plexi 3 should attach to the bars and and forks.  I'd like to get another P3 for my EV.  They are great.  But you are correct regarding  the installation.  This one is installed wrongly IMO.

[Zoom Zoom]

Can't be wrong. It only fits one way.

ZZ

[Ncdan]

I have no comment regarding your experience riding the bike. 

I do agree with your position that the Plexi 3 should attach to the bars and and forks.  I'd like to get another P3 for my EV.  They are great.  But you are correct regarding  the installation.  This one is installed wrongly IMO.

Yea LR the P3 is a great shield and I had one on my EV as well. Great protection from the wind and elements and I can’t remember any adverse issues at speed. I’m not sure yet that’s it’s a shield issue. Thanks for the response 👍

[Ncdan]

I may have an answer to the issue offered by one of the guys here.
The guy that had the bike was a big guy 300lb and had really cranked the compression down on the rear shocks, probably 25-30 percent of the springs load. In turn, I let it off most all the way back to the top. Possibly making it too soft causing the bike to become unstable as more weight is shifted to the rear as speed increases. ???
I’ll check that tomorrow and report back.
Thanks everyone for the input, I’ll get this babe right sooner or later 👍

[Guzzistajohn]

I find it interesting how many spell riding with a double d 

[Ncdan]

I find it interesting how many spell riding with a double d 

Not that it really matters but that’s the way it spells it when dictating the message at times. I’m fairly sure it will not increase or decrease the wobble my bike is experiencing😉

[pehayes]

The actual Plexi 3 has mounting hardware which attaches in four points, 2 attached to the lower forks with brackets and 2 attaches to the handlebars/with brackets.

Um, you might want to re-think that sentence.  The lower forks bounce up and down with the wheel while the handlebars do not.  Such a mounting would certainly create some strange dynamic performance.

I'm sure you meant that the lower mounts were on the lower triple clamp which is actually clamping the upper forks.

Having said that, in 1979 I went to the National Rally in Sylvan Grove, KS.  In attendance were a couple of stout Iowa farm boys riding two-up on an Ambassador.  They had fabricated home-made, plywood panniers.  One end was attached to the upper frame and the other end was attached to the swing arm.  The boxes pivoted with every bump.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Huzo]

I find it interesting how many spell riding with a double d 

You will now have to be extremely careful when posting....
I can hardly wait...

[Ncdan]

Um, you might want to re-think that sentence.  The lower forks bounce up and down with the wheel while the handlebars do not.  Such a mounting would certainly create some strange dynamic performance.

I'm sure you meant that the lower mounts were on the lower triple clamp which is actually clamping the upper forks.

Having said that, in 1979 I went to the National Rally in Sylvan Grove, KS.  In attendance were a couple of stout Iowa farm boys riding two-up on an Ambassador.  They had fabricated home-made, plywood panniers.  One end was attached to the upper frame and the other end was attached to the swing arm.  The boxes pivoted with every bump.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

I don’t know if you’ve ever Actually owned or saw these shields or mounting system but yes the bracket does mount to the upper portion of the fork itself, above the fork action.  The size of the clamp that holds the lower mount depends on the size of the fork tube. Thanks for your input however.

[Knuckle Dragger]

Nothing wrong with Double Ds.  I find their owners quite..... versatile.

Incidentally, older BMW Boxers are quite notorious for their tendency to weave at speed.

[Testarossa]

Start at the back and work forward. Look for rear-wheel balance, looseness or asymmetry in the swing-arm pivots, loose shock pivots. Retorque the steering head bearings. Check that the fork tubes are even in the triple clamps, and retorque the clamps. Also check that the fork tubes are really parallel in both axes -- I've seen straight tubes in bent triple clamps. Any damage inside the forks, to the dampers or springs? Front wheel balance? The windscreen might be the problem but not necessarily.

[Huzo]

Nothing wrong with Double Ds.  I find their owners quite..... versatile.

Incidentally, older BMW Boxers are quite notorious for their tendency to weave at speed.

Like the old Wild West gunslinger entertaining the saloon lady in Tombstone. He was clutching a pair of 38’s...

[geoff in almonte]

Like the old Wild West gunslinger entertaining the saloon lady in Tombstone. He was clutching a pair of 38’s...

He also carried a gun.