Windshields/Saddles

[xprof]

Windshields: The Cee-Bailey had turbulence that beat me hard, so I shifted to a CalSci, which was much better, but not perfect. SAENG microswirl edging only added a harsh buzz. Adding 1/2" spacers under the bottom mount, however, instantly made the CalSci very close to perfect. Today I tried the SAENG edging on it, and it made even a bit more improvement, right up to 115mph (where my magnetic tank bag suddenly departed from the bike!). Conclusion: if you have a windshield that is causing you grief, try spacing out the lower mount, using longer bolts and lengths of metal tubing as spacers. Try 1/2", or 1cm, and if that doesn't do it, try 3/4" or 1.5 or even 2cm. It'll only cost you pennies, so play around with spacers. And report back, so others can benefit from your experience! If you buy a CalSci, which I heartily recommend, just ask Mark to include longer bolts and spacers. Try SAENG edging just to see if it makes an improvement ($40 or so). I'm a happy guy!

Saddles: Rocky Mayer (Bill Mayer Saddles) in Ojai makes a very comfortable (if pricey) saddle. If you live in Southern California, schedule a ride-in and they will convert your saddle on the spot, with lots of personal fitting and test drives. And the test driving is on Hwy 33, a world-class twisty road! I have heard grumbles about Rocky, but did not meet him, and his staff was very nice to me. The price was high, but the quality is excellent, and I must note that if your butt is not happy, you will not be happy. Conclusion: Put your money where your butt meets the bike. My butt is now in heaven!

[Coyote Crazy]

And the test driving is on Hwy 33, a world-class twisty road!

I must whole heartily agree with your assessment of Hwy 33! Living up here in the Santa Clara River Valley I ride the 33 often and enjoy it more every time.
I am curious as to how much you paid for the Rocky Mayer Saddle, I know you saved shipping, but got hit with the CA sales tax.
Are you willing to share what you had to ante up?

[tobes]

+1 on the 33, awesome ride - well except for that one time I had a bear cross the road in front of me. But other than that awesome. Looks like we have a good contingent of SoCal riders here.

[lucagoa]

Hello Mike,

any pic of the Calsci windshield?
Thanks
Luca

[xprof]

I'll try, Luca, though previous attempts have failed. Here goes:
[img][IMG]http://thumb18.webshots.net/t/66/566/4/73/84/2139473840049590158Xjzjcj_th.jpg[/img][/img]

[AmostThere]

And the test driving is on Hwy 33, a world-class twisty road!

I must whole heartily agree with your assessment of Hwy 33! Living up here in the Santa Clara River Valley I ride the 33 often and enjoy it more every time.
I am curious as to how much you paid for the Rocky Mayer Saddle, I know you saved shipping, but got hit with the CA sales tax.
Are you willing to share what you had to ante up?

I paid $400 cash on a ride-in a few months ago...

[Coyote Crazy]

I paid $400 cash on a ride-in a few months ago...

Thanks for the info. I am giving it serious consideration. Maybe a more important question is - How do you like your saddle? and Are you still happy with it? The seat is the only thing about my R1200R I am a little unhappy about. Otherwise a fantastic ride.

[Rrider]

Scott,
I have a ZTechnik 18" shield on my R. I'm 5'6" and at around 55mph and up, everything I'm looking at is wiggling slightly. My helmet isn't moving at all, so is this the buffeting phenomena or something else. I'm hoping to sell the Russell seat and go for something to lower me. Hopefully it'll be enough to get rid of that annoying "blur." If not, I wonder if there's something out there to tack onto the top of the shield to create smooth vision.

[deilenberger]

Scott,
I have a ZTechnik 18" shield on my R. I'm 5'6" and at around 55mph and up, everything I'm looking at is wiggling slightly. My helmet isn't moving at all, so is this the buffeting phenomena or something else. I'm hoping to sell the Russell seat and go for something to lower me. Hopefully it'll be enough to get rid of that annoying "blur." If not, I wonder if there's something out there to tack onto the top of the shield to create smooth vision.

I'm not Scott - but you're describing the effect of buffeting. Dunno what your inseam is, or what seat you have (which both have a relationship to where your head ends up in regards to a shield) - but it wouldn't surprise me that the 18" one causes some buffeting. 55MPH is fairly low for it to start, but not unknown.

[Rrider]

My inseam is about 31" and I'm sitting on a Russell seat made for a 5'10" person. Do you know if there's any kind of attachment I can add to the top of the shield?

[deilenberger]

My inseam is about 31" and I'm sitting on a Russell seat made for a 5'10" person. Do you know if there's any kind of attachment I can add to the top of the shield?

Hmmm.. I have to think about this for a bit. You have a 4" longer inseam than I do, meaning on the same seat, your head would be 4" lower.. but then you're using a seat that is probably 1-2" taller, so as a guess, your head is 2" lower than mine. People have added things like a deflector to the top of the screens (LaminarLink makes one for various stock shields) - with mixed results. What you might try - duck down 2" or lift yourself up out of the seat 2" - and report how that changes things.

[famousperson]

I'm hoping to sell the Russell seat and go for something to lower me.

How much do you want for the seat? I am 6' but have an approx. 31" inseam also. Does anybody have any opinions as to the liklihood of the seat working for me?

[Rrider]

I talked to the seat builder at Russell. He said the seat was built for a 200 lb person. I'm 5'6" and much lighter weight, so it sits me up too high. You can see the photos on our craigslist ad: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/1052167216.html

This seat is like new. It was $600 new and is only a little more than a year old. We're asking $350 for it. You should check it out.