Givi Windshield Installation Pictorial

First topic message reminder :

Hi,

I replaced my XL Clearview with a Givi windshield and I produced this "Pictorial" for others who would like to do this. It is really a very simple process that only requires a phillips type screwdriver. If you follow the below document you should have no problem whatsoever. If you have any problems or questions please get back with me. There really is no reason to pay a mechanic to do this work since it is really quite simple and only takes about 30 minutes your first time.

Here is the .pdf format:

Thank you gentlemen. The pictorial makes the procedure quite clear, it was the use of the word garnish that confused me. I wondered if the rubber strip might be the candidate, but looking again at the pictures, that appears to be part of the garnish.

Reference has also made of using Bee Gees or Abba CDs. I treasure mine, so wondered whether a "Great Political Speeches Vol 29 - Ronald Reagan" CD would be an effective substitute.  

 

Salad garnish anyone?

Job done!

 

   

Colin B wrote:

Job done!

 

Did you use your  "Great Political Speeches Vol 29 - Ronald Reagan" CD ?
I used two credit cards myself.

No, Ronny lives to enthral me another day. Just a gentle wiggle, as suggested. I actually found it more troublesome to re-fit because the wings on the new screen fit more snugly around the body panel (at the top of the garnish). Care and persuasion.

I installed the plates, but I fail to see what purpose they serve.

Incidentally, in the pictures above, a black, round headed allen bolt (as supplied by Givi) can be seen in the centre of the plate. My bike already had a large, silvered bolt here (like the one lower in the picture). No mention of this in instructions. I swapped it for the Givi.

Givi in notorious for bad instructions. You will be fine, many do not even use the plates.

model28a wrote:

Givi in notorious for bad instructions. You will be fine, many do not even use the plates.  

Especially those James Dean wannabes from California.   The baaad JeffR.

Jeff B:

Thank you for your GIVI Windshield Pictorial. This afternoon the windshield arrived, I had some spare time on my hands, and I thought I could save some time by not waiting for my mechanic to schedule it in. I thought I could be on the scooter within an hour or two.

So I followed your directions explicitly with the removal of the old windshield. All rubber grommets were intact.

However when I went to install the GIVI windshield I found that I had to put some force on the screws to get them started.

To make a long story short. Two grommets were pushed inside the fairing!! And when they get in there, they are not that easy to find even with my brand new flashlight that I purchased just to try to locate them.

So, Plan B. I assembled the front cowling. Keep in mind that I no longer have a windshield on the scooter. Boxed the new GIVI windshield up, to include all hardware and took it to my motorcycle mechanic and requested (very nicely) that he order 2 grommets for me, and when they come in to let me know so I can bring the Silver Wing in to have the new windshield installed.

The morel of the story. I have a much greater appreciation for the skills that my mechanic has. I know that I will not complain when I get his bill. And in the meantime, I will be putting some extra miles on the Gold Wing until the parts arrive.

That's too bad about the grommets. I don't know why they couldn't make them permanent in the scooter. Hope all goes well with the mechanic though.

I thought you might be interested in how this project turned out. We ordered the grommets. But before they arrived (I like to check with my mechanic somewhat frequently to check on the status of what we had ordered) my mechanic suggested that I bring the scooter in to see if we could locate the missing grommets. I was somewhat doubtful as I had ridden the scooter a few times after I lost the grommets. But, I brought my scooter in. We (my mechanic, my wife-who joined us and I) took off the front cowling. One grommet was clearly visible once this piece of plastic was removed. I thought that I heard the other grommet fall inside the fairing down to the lower floor step. We found the other missing grommet down there.

We secured the windshield mounting kit, which in this instance, came with the windshield; and when secured, covered and held the top and middle grommets in place. With the lower grommets one of us was able to reach in and put our finger under the grommet so it didn’t pop out when we inserted the lower screws to secure the windshield.

We reassembled the lower floor step, and the front cowling, and the scooter was ready to ride. With the 2 of us assisting my mechanic the cost was minimal-about $30.00.

The grommets arrived shortly after that, and I am keeping them as a spare if needed.

Another successful givi adjustable shield installation thanks to the pictorials
and tips from the members of this forum.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Ken
I did install the metal supports that came with the screen.

After two moderate rides I wish I had done this along time ago.

I just printed off the homemade install instructions.  They are great and a huge help.......thanks for helping all of us backyard mechanics.  Though an easy install the GIVI Install instructions from the web scared the heck out of me as they were so hard to understand.......scoot on

Got mine installed today. Great pictorial. I did not use the brackets. Don't really see their purpose. I am 6' 3" so the extra height over the stock windshield is great as are the side flairs that keep my hands warmer.

I used the brackets when installing the Givi Adjustable windshield on one of the SWs I had. I will be using the brackets on my friend's '04 when I install a Givi Airflow that should show up next week. I prefer using the brackets because they provide a metal to metal connection between the windshield and the bike frame. I tried installing my adjustable without the brackets but found it was a lot stiffer and more solid mount with the brackets. The instructions that come with the brackets seem to be written in Sanskrit and have pictures drawn with charcoal in a dark cave. it was necessary to adjust the bend angle on the two brackets to get a perfect fit.

Thanks for pictures and tutorial. I should have read this first, instead I had a SW service manual so I read that to see how to remove the windshield (to replace my windshield). Not only is the service manual  totally confusing, it also does not mention about gently pulling the cowling down to release it without breaking the tabs. Thanks again.

Just a note of caution to others - the 2 side screws just above the glove boxes, just be careful not to drop them into the wind duct just below them while taking out the screws. One of mine fell into that duct ( it looks like an AC vent in the car), and there was no way to retrieve it from deep inside the fairing, without removing a lot of tupperware. So my cowling has no screw now, on one side.

Was it Murphy's law which says - if something can go wrong , it will !

I did manage to find the screw which had dropped in the air duct, while removing the windshield fairing.
As I was moving the bike out of the center stand, the screw just fell out from below the fairing. So that saves me the trouble of going to Ace Hardware to find a matching replacement. Thanks

I highly recommend a magnetic tool. Keep one touching a screw that might fall while you're unscrewing the fastener and it won't get away. I have a couple of Harbor Freight's telescopic magnetic tools that are worth their weight in my toolbox. Inexpensive and handy to prevent losing a bolt, nut or screw into the dark wilderness and for retrieving them when they do escape.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-telescoping-magnet-37187.html

Why the GIVI brackets are worth using is because the bracket solidly attaches to the bike's frame in two points while the other two screws only attach to plastic with rubber grommets. The higher, heavier windscreen has a lot more pressure against it than the OEM one when moving. The two screws solidly attaching the brackets on each side not only firm up the rubber mounted screws but provide two ridged attachment points on each side. Much stronger. If you omit the brackets the windshield is much easier to push back and forth at the top. More flex at road speeds.

exavid wrote:

I highly recommend a magnetic tool. Keep one touching a screw that might fall while you're unscrewing the fastener and it won't get away. I have a couple of Harbor Freight's telescopic magnetic tools that are worth their weight in my toolbox. Inexpensive and handy to prevent losing a bolt, nut or screw into the dark wilderness and for retrieving them when they do escape.

I think I need to heed this advise. in fact one of my other current bikes is a 2001 Cocnours 1000, in which I keep running into the exact same problem of hardware falling into the deep etherspace in the tupperware.

Thanks

I use the magnetic tool quite a bit, removing machine screws in some areas where you can't get your fingers the magnet pulls them right out once they're unscrewed and keeping them from falling when they come free.

Unfortunately on my scooter all the screws are stainless and the magnet doesn't work. I often use a flexible picker upper tool on these but it's not has handy as a magnet tool.

I was finally able to install my new Givi AF 214 windshield today. I am very thankful for the pictorial instructions. This windshield provides far superior wind protection than the stock screen. Money well spent. I look forward to some long rides on the Silverwing. I have also installed a motor-mate back rest and this has given this 6 foot rider the needed room to make this a touring bike!

Glad the pictorial was able to help you. The AF is a great screen isn't it? I had many and the AF was the best. Hope you continue to enjoy it. You will probably really like it in the summer. I hear it gets pretty hot and humid in Alabama in the summer and you can lower the top part to get a nice breeze but it doesn't give the buffeting.

Jeff's comment on hot weather is definitely on the mark. I thoroughly enjoyed the adjustable on my last SW when the temps rose over 100F. I'd have to find a way to replace the screen on my GT if it didn't have the electrically operated adjustment.

Jeffr
Just want to thank you for the PDF file on installation of the Givi af124. I'm getting a 2013 SWing and have the windshield.
Thanks again Blain

exavid,

Yes, the AF if really good for the different weather. Although it would be nice to have an electric windshield while riding.

Blain,

I hope it helps and there are other pictorials as well. The manual to me was kind of difficult to follow at times when removing the tupperware. Please give us a review of your new SWing when you get it and some of the mods you do.

Having drops of more than my share of fasteners I found draping a large beach towel over the bike just below the work area has made retrieval a lot less stressful.

The biggest mistake most people make when they re-install another w/s is trying to "force" the screws into the rubber grommets. It will push them through almost every time and then it is tough to find them. I have replaced mine a few times going back and forth with windshields and I also learned the hard way.

Too true, you need to get the screws lined up with the grommets so that you aren't forcing them. I always turn the screw backwards until I can feel it lined up with the grommet. You can feel a tiny 'click' while turning it CCW. Then with GENTLE finger pressure start the screw in the normal manner but with very little downward pressure. I've done two of these windshields now, one on my own and one on a friend's bike. Now if they'd just make an adjustable for my GT it would be the best of all worlds. Being able to raise and lower the tow and change the angle of the whole thing with the electric motor would be unbeatable.

Pictoral instructions looked great. I would guess it would be similar with install of the AF214 windshield except for the drilling of the two holes.

Just installed the Airflow this evening.  Instruction photos and text a bit lame,but the info in this thread encouraged me to get out a 7/32" drill bit and gently ease it through.  There was a threaded hole,on both sides even!  

Didn't lose a single rubber well nut down into the Dark Abyss, but had a fiddly time getting the two machine screws (5mm) to thread forward (from the dash side) into the garnish piece.  

Otherwise,a smooth installation,and a bit of Honda polish and some elbow grease got all the gummy off under the Givi decals that I peeled off. They looked tacky and not well adhered to begin with, and were only going to get worse with time.

Can't wait to try it out tomorrow.

Pete

Hey folks.. this may or may not be known already. I searched and couldn't find this tip. After the 4 screws removed to take off the vented cowl plastic below the windshield.. I peeled the top ear outward enough to see the bottom most plastic hook. I tried every which way to pop it loose.. down as has been described to no avail. I took a long skinny flat bladed screwdriver and rested it on top of the bottom hook and a little bump on the top of the handle of the screwdriver and both sides popped loose easily with no damage to anything. Pics were the best I could do. A white spot way down near the blade tip seems to be the top of that bottom hook. Hopefully this is helpful as my 1st post. This 2005 was laid over in a parking lot and some minor damage and tweaks happened along the right high side of much of the plastics. This might be why the panel wouldn't come loose too.
Update: I can't get pics small enough to send.. sorry.

Whatever works for you is fine. I use plastic credit cards under each forward edge of the winged piece and gentle taps from the rear part of the winged piece. You may have to lift up the rear piece before tapping the piece. The plastic cards causes a ramp for the forward edge of the winged piece so that the piece can slide forward.

I had that windscreen garnish off a few times, Airflow installation, fitting a pair of useless LED pilot bulbs, replacing the OE bulbs back again, and upgrading both headlight bulbs. I did break one tab and kept it with a view to repairing it when I had a suitable adhesive, although I never got round to doing it. It fitted back on just as well with three tabs.

I also figured there'd be hundreds of other owners worldwide that had also broken a tab on theirs, and loads of used Silver Wings in showrooms with at least one broken off too.

Reading that older post about tacky Givi decals on the Airflow puzzled me a bit, the large black Givi logo on my screen still looked as good as new after nearly 8 years. Unless he meant those large and unsightly  warning labels that usually just peel off. I've stuck the same labels that came with my new Forza screen on a storage box in my garage. No tabs to break on the screen garnish either, it's two large screws and two smaller screws and lift off.


It's also worth reminding ourselves that the Airflow Installatio Pictorial JeffR posted 10 years ago is still worth it's weight in gold to any new screen buyer.

I realize this thread is quite old now, but I would really like to look at this pictorial closely. However, the pdf link does not seem available any more at the original post. Is there a way to view this pictorial I’m not aware of?

Maybe if JeffR sees this he can repost the pdf file you need.

Hi,

I found it and posted it in the section for Pictorials but here it is anyway:


Thanks,

Jeff

JeffR wrote:

Hi,

I found it and posted it in the section for Pictorials but here it is anyway:


Thanks,

Jeff

Awesome, many thanks Jeff!