Lower Wind deflectors

Huck369 · 01-05-2016, 01:23 PM

I made some Lower Wind Deflectors to fit on my crash guards for the winter riding season, block almost all the wind off my feet, and lower legs.
I made them out of Aluminum.....held on with Zip-Ties...

SpudRider · 01-05-2016, 01:50 PM

That is an ingenious solution.

I bet they are pretty effective.

Juanro · 01-05-2016, 01:59 PM

To be brutally honest: I wouldn't say they're pretty. But hey, it sure must work.
Last winter, even with the mild weather we enjoy around here, I was thinking along the same lines, but made in acrylic/polycarbonate or some kind of plastic. But now we're in the mid of the hot, humid summer. All I can think these days is how to get the MOST air into my legs. Next Winter will see, if I'll borrow the idea.

keithmaine · 01-05-2016, 02:05 PM

Nice job

kohburn · 01-05-2016, 02:05 PM

I don't like "sharp" edges near me - would feel like I was riding down the road with a bunch of unsheathed swords by my legs

I would consider making them out of some plastic and heat forming the curves with a heat gun. I've worked with up to 1/4" thick stuff this way and its pretty easy.

keithmaine · 01-05-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juanro

To be brutally honest: I wouldn't say they're pretty. But hey, it sure must work.
Last winter, even with the mild weather we enjoy around here, I was thinking along the same lines, but made in acrylic/polycarbonate or some kind of plastic. But now we're in the mid of the hot, humid summer. All I can think these days is how to get the MOST air into my legs. Next Winter will see, if I'll borrow the idea.

You could make them from black Kydex easily formable

Huck369 · 01-05-2016, 02:49 PM

The edges aren't sharp....doesn't really bother me, but I see your point.

I'm a AutoCAD Draftsman at an Industrial Steel Fab shop, so I made them with what I had readily available to me

they are very effective, was 20 degrees F. on my ride to work this morning, and my feet didn't even get cold.
Still get some wind art the knee level, but much less than without them.

I plan to get them Line-Xed at some point, then they will blend in with the bike better.
...but will have to wait until it warms up before I'll want to take them off

SpudRider · 01-05-2016, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck369

The edges aren't sharp....doesn't really bother me, but I see your point.

I'm a AutoCAD Draftsman at an Industrial Steel Fab shop, so I made them with what I had readily available to me

they are very effective, was 20 degrees F. on my ride to work this morning, and my feet didn't even get cold.
Still get some wind art the knee level, but much less than without them.

I plan to get them Line-Xed at some point, then they will blend in with the bike better.
...but will have to wait until it warms up before I'll want to take them off

You did a great job.

Weldangrind · 01-05-2016, 03:47 PM

Those are really nice bends! Do you have access to a big brake at the fab shop for that?

CSaddict · 01-05-2016, 05:35 PM

Wow, looks great!

Huck369 · 01-05-2016, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Those are really nice bends! Do you have access to a big brake at the fab shop for that?

Yes, we have a 12' long 100 ton press brake in the shop

Jay In Milpitas · 01-06-2016, 12:24 AM

Off to a good start, Huck!

Does your shop have the equipment to form a strengthening bead in the flat areas?

I've considered something similar, using cushioned conduit clamps to mount to the guards.

Hard to gage from the pics, what thickness did you use?

kohburn · 01-06-2016, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck369

Yes, we have a 12' long 100 ton press brake in the shop

lucky

I'm a CAD guy also but don't have shop access at my current job. Used to work for a motion flight simulator company so was across the hall form the fab shop, was really handy and the shop guys would do little side jobs for me using the scraps.

tinman tim · 01-06-2016, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

Off to a good start, Huck!

Does your shop have the equipment to form a strengthening bead in the flat areas?

I've considered something similar, using cushioned conduit clamps to mount to the guards.

Hard to gage from the pics, what thickness did you use?

With that thickness of material, a stiffener bead would not be necessary IMO

Huck369 · 01-06-2016, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

Off to a good start, Huck!

Does your shop have the equipment to form a strengthening bead in the flat areas?

I've considered something similar, using cushioned conduit clamps to mount to the guards.

Hard to gage from the pics, what thickness did you use?

I used .100 aluminum , the bends make them pretty rigid......could of used .063" but had some scrap .100 laying around....

18 degrees on the ride in this morning.....

01-05-2016, 01:50 PM	#2
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	That is an ingenious solution. I bet they are pretty effective. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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01-05-2016, 02:05 PM	#4
keithmaine Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: White Mtns. NH Posts: 488	Nice job __________________ 2016 Versys 650 LT, 2015 RX3 Red, 2011 Ural GearUp,
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01-05-2016, 02:05 PM	#5
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	I don't like "sharp" edges near me - would feel like I was riding down the road with a bunch of unsheathed swords by my legs I would consider making them out of some plastic and heat forming the curves with a heat gun. I've worked with up to 1/4" thick stuff this way and its pretty easy. __________________ -whatever you do, just be awesome. - 2008 Kawasaki Versys - 2016 CSC TT250
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01-05-2016, 02:49 PM	#7
Huck369 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somerset, KY Posts: 686	The edges aren't sharp....doesn't really bother me, but I see your point. I'm a AutoCAD Draftsman at an Industrial Steel Fab shop, so I made them with what I had readily available to me they are very effective, was 20 degrees F. on my ride to work this morning, and my feet didn't even get cold. Still get some wind art the knee level, but much less than without them. I plan to get them Line-Xed at some point, then they will blend in with the bike better. ...but will have to wait until it warms up before I'll want to take them off __________________ Huck 2013 Honda NC700X 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 2016 AJP PR4 2022 Templar X 250 2021 Sondors Metacycle AMA Life Member
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01-05-2016, 03:47 PM	#9
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Those are really nice bends! Do you have access to a big brake at the fab shop for that? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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01-05-2016, 01:59 PM	#3
Juanro Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 321	To be brutally honest: I wouldn't say they're pretty. But hey, it sure must work. Last winter, even with the mild weather we enjoy around here, I was thinking along the same lines, but made in acrylic/polycarbonate or some kind of plastic. But now we're in the mid of the hot, humid summer. All I can think these days is how to get the MOST air into my legs. Next Winter will see, if I'll borrow the idea.
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01-05-2016, 05:35 PM	#10
CSaddict Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 200	Wow, looks great! __________________ 2016 CSC RX3 Ginger Edition Check out my blog here: https://www.facebook.com/My-CSC-Zong...0302595973417/
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01-06-2016, 12:24 AM	#12
Jay In Milpitas Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Milpitas, CA. USA Posts: 775	Off to a good start, Huck! Does your shop have the equipment to form a strengthening bead in the flat areas? I've considered something similar, using cushioned conduit clamps to mount to the guards. Hard to gage from the pics, what thickness did you use?
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