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SCREENS ON A REBEL
Pete Buckingham (Founder of UK Honda Rebel Owners Club)
There seems to be a continual problem with getting a decent screen fitted to the Rebel - not helped by the diminutive size of the bike, and the available screens. Well we can't alter the bike, and unless you make your own screen, you are stuck with the choice out there!
One major thing you can do however, is fitting it right to suit you riding the bike. Bearing in mind the nature of a screen and it's effect on the aerodynamics of the bike, it is all too easy to bolt on any old sheet of lexan (loose description of a screen!!!), and play havoc with the bike's handling. It has been known for a really bad fitment to make riding the same bike a nightmare, so let's start with getting it right!
No matter which screen you choose, the only factor regarding the Rebel, especially important to the smaller cc's, is not to get too large a screen. The 450 can take the usual large cruiser types, but when you have a 125 or 250 you have to be sensible... Most screens allow for infinite adjustment of angles as well as mounting height in relation to the bike, and this is where it is easy to go wrong.
Referring to the picture marked with relevant points, the adjustments of 'A' and 'B' need to match you and the bike together. At 'B' it is important to get the screen reasonably close to the
headlight, but a word of caution - with a handlebar mounted screen do not touch the headlight rim as it will wear away the chrome in a short time due to vibration! If it's a fork mounted screen then this is not usually a problem, but there is no need to have the two parts jammed together tight! Point 'A' needs to be set so that air will flow over the top of the screen and pass over your helmet (as illustrated by the poorly drawn red dotted line to 'C'!!!)
It really is a matter of trial and error to get it right, unless you have access to a Wind Tunnel test facility of course! If you follow these guidelines, then riding becomes a pleasure, with no apparent wind noise, no watery eyes, no bugs in the face, etc... Handing should not be affected at all if it's done right, because the screen should streamline the bike, not act as an air dam.
One apparent side-effect that I noticed right away is the deflection of engine noise up towards the Speedo! This made the bike sound totally different to ride initially, until I got used to it - though it is not loud at all.
As a final note on screens themselves, I have been looking for one to fit my 125 for some time now. I had seen various makes on other bikes, as well as the usual catalogue shots, etc. My choice was made after seeing the newer Givi examples in my local bike dealer. Givi is better known for their excellent hard luggage sets, and these screens are a relatively new venture for them.
I was so impressed with the quality to their range, as well as the price that I ordered mine there and then. 3 days later it was on the bike, as can be seen on the other photos. Whilst not to everyone's taste I'm sure - (it's not a "Harley"/ "Chips" replica type), I wanted one in keeping with the Rebel's uniqueness in the cruiser marketplace, and also very functional too!
Regards
Pete Buckingham
(Founder of UK Honda Rebel Owners Club)
Note from Dale...
Check out that snazzy looking windshield, It really looks like a quality item. Pete has also added some custom turn signal covers to his Rebel 125.
For more on Pete's Rebel, Rebel News and the British Rebel scene surf out to...
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