Hey all, I haven't been on here a while, mostly have my bike where I want it. However, I am looking at a very long ride this summer and thinking I may need something to reduce fatigue from getting wind battered. So I am doing the unthinkable and considering a detachable fairing or windshield for my heavily modified 2011 Fat Boy Lo. (Pictured)

The first issue I am not sure about is fit. I have changed the handlebars to Street slammers, which I don't think should be a problem. But I also changed the headlight nacelle to the Freight Train, which may cause a problem. Also, as I understand it, the Freight Train is a larger headlight than the normal Fatboy.

Second issue is looks. I really like the clean look of my bike without a fairing or windshield. So if I get one, I need something I can remove without leaving anything on the bike that will stand out and ruin the clean lines. Anyone done anything like this, with some pictures?

Thirdly is best effect (with the looks being a big part of the balance). Fairing or a windshield? How much difference is there? Is one type more likely to cause wind issues with steering?

Thanks for any help!

 

The H-D quick detach screens come in sizes to fit the nacelle, and they come off clean, leaving only the four grommets showing on the four shroud bolts...

 

hi jam...do u have a part number for the LRS Recurve windshield that you now have on your bike?..I have a 2013 slim and I contacted LRS but they said it depended on what hardware I have which is none yet and said I would have to use a universal windshield however I love the shield you have and just need to somehow find a hd quick detach hardware for it..thanks for any help! love your bike and I think im going with the auxillary lights as well

 

hi jam...do u have a part number for the LRS Recurve windshield that you now have on your bike?..I have a 2013 slim and I contacted LRS but they said it depended on what hardware I have which is none yet and said I would have to use a universal windshield however I love the shield you have and just need to somehow find a hd quick detach hardware for it..thanks for any help! love your bike and I think im going with the auxillary lights as well

 

Sure...
My windshield is the H-D quick-detach, 18", Light Smoke w/ Black Braces (p/n 57400111) < I got this at newcastlehd.com for around $300, far below MSRP
Just keep in mind that this one is made for use WITH auxiliary lights... it's slightly wider at the mounts to accomodate the light kit.

The LRS replacement is their "Heritage Recurve Shield", 16", Light Tint (p/n SKU17640) < they are currently running a 50% off sale - order code: LRSDUST

Aux. Lights are the H-D FLS Aux. Lighting Kit, Gloss Black (p/n 68000026)
I went with this model because it was already black, but if I had to do it over again, I think instead I'd go with:
H-D Auxiliary Lighting Kit - FL Softail Models (p/n 68669-05A) - so that I could relocate my turn signals to the bar.
But these only come in chrome so I'd have to get them powder-coated black.

Plus with the aux, light kits, you have to choose between 3 or 4 different lamps styles, as they are not included...
I just went with a pair of the H-D Aux. Lamps - Vertical, Clear (p/n 68348-05) since they matched the stock headlight...

And if you're interested, the visors are:
For the headlight - H-D 7" Headlight visor bezel (p/n 69734-05)
For the aux. lights - H-D Auxiliary lamps visor bezels - [2]- (p/n 69732-05)
These came in chrome only - I had them powder-coated gloss black to match the light kit.

Hope this helps...

 

Great.. thanks helps a lot ill post pics of my slim soon!

 

do you know of any way to get the hardware solo or would I have to get the whole kit with hd windshield too.

 

I don't believe H-D sells just the mounting hardware - but I've been wrong before...
My H-D screen is sitting out in the shed in the box the LRS replacement came in...

 

Thanks for the posts. Jam, I think that windshield looks good for an old school styled bike. Mine is more of a low, lean look, so I would need to find something that works with the lines.

So now I am trying to find information on fairings vs windshields. A big question is this talk of wind buffetting. I am going to have a passenger on and want to make sure I don't wear out either of us.

I was thinking of the Memphis Shades Batwing fairing. But I've heard that the small windshields actually ride smoother than a fairing. Is this true?

 

I really can't say, last time I ran a fairing was on a metric 35 years ago...