Windbender Installation

Installation Instructions

To remove the windshield, lift the two levers that hold the factory adjustment, and release the mirror boots from the fairing. Remove the (four screws for 88-95 and two screws for 96 -2000) that hold the windshield garnish in place. Remove the five Phillips setting screws and oval mounting plates and remove the windshield. Reinstall the lower half of the Windbender windshield reusing the existing hardware and reassembling in reverse order. Make sure that the base half of the windshield is in its lowest position. The GL1500 factory windshield adjustment is basically disabled. By making the base section with less of an arc than factory and thicker material, we are able to lock up the base solid with the faring. Positive adjustment is available with the slide rails between the two halves of the Windbender windshield.

With the lower half adjusted down to the lowest setting, slide the top half of the windshield onto the bottom half. The top half of the windshield may need to be flexed a little flatter in order to accomplish this. Once the two windshield halves are mated up, install the two pins in the two brackets aligning the highest slots in the top windshield half. (The windshield is now in its lowest position.) Loosen the four 10x24x5/8 screws that hold the two brackets on the top half of the windshield. This allows the brackets to align with the bottom ones and center themselves. Tighten up the four screws. (DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN, just snug them up.) If excess rattling between the brackets is noticed after setup, they can be tightened up. Removing the top windshield, loosen the two bottom screws of the top mounting brackets and slide them away from each other and re-tighten. If further tightening is needed, follow the same procedure moving the top of the brackets toward each other.

Windbender Adjustment and Options Installation

Because no two rider/bike/gear combination is identical and everyone has different tolerances and expectations, we recommend that you adjust your Windbender (and add Options) in the following sequence. This sequence will help you find the most comfortable configuration for yourself and your passenger while allowing you to take full advantage of your Windbender capabilities.

Test your Windbender in its standard configuration before installing a Rake Kit or Electric Option.

Take your bike out for a ride starting at one of your “normal” slow speeds with the base and top shields in their lowest positions and note if you are able to get a slight breeze in your if that is one of your goals. You may also check to see how high air is flowing over the shield or your helmet at various speeds with a free hand to see how much you may need to raise the shield. Ride at different speeds raising the Top Shield one notch at a time to see where the air breaks and to see how tall it must be for your highest riding speed or passenger comfort. Raise the Base Unit if required. The goal is to find a range of heights that only require use of Windbender adjustment. It is must more friendly than the stock adjustment.

Please contact us if you experience any difficulty with installation or experience any problems with your kit.

If you cannot find a position that makes your ride considerably better than the stock windshield, you may want to try a different top shield or add a Rake Kit. If you need the convenience of adjusting your shield while riding, add our electric option after you have found the range of settings that works best.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Release the retaining pins in the adjustment rails and the top shield can be removed for easy cleaning. Use a clean, soft cloth and cleaners approved for acrylics (no ammonia). To maintain easy adjustment it is recommended to occasionally clean the rail sliding surfaces and coat them with wax or silicone spay.

If your Windbender gets scratched it can be polished. Polishing instructions are on our Maintenance Page