JeffR, thanks for the follow up. I had just kind of wondered if the stock shield with LL was as quiet as the new GIVI. Sounds like you feel it is close, but the new GIVI is quieter.

I am doing the same thing as Ron is doing - GIVI in the cool/cold weather and the stocker in the warm weather, both with the LL. I find the LL makes a big difference on both screens. I'll probably continue with this system until one of the screens breaks, only for cost reasons (read: too cheap to pay for another screen).

Hi Bigbird,

Honestly, I've not noticed any kind of buzzing or noise associated with cutting off the tabs. I just got so sick and tired of trying to fuss with getting it off that I simply decided it was time for the tabs to go. The screws do a great job of holding it in place. I think you should be fine if you cut the tabs off. You will be a whole lot happier and less frustrated come time to change the windshields. Even if by chance you do happen to notice any noise or vibration, you could always use something to "dampen" it such as adhesive backed foam or something similar. But I think you'll be fine though as I've never had any noise problems.

I never thought about cutting off the tabs but I can usually get mine off in just a few seconds though. I lost my screws somewhere and only the tabs are holding it in and it doesn't rattle either.

I can get the garnish off and swap windshields in 10 minutes with tabs and screws. The key to the tabs is this:
1) Remove the 4 screws holding the garnish in place.
2) Pull down gently on the TOP of the garnish right under the windshield to loosen the black wind opening vent and top screw mounts.
2)Take a thin piece of plastic like a credit card and insert it into the top of the garnish beside the turn signal. Slide the card down inside the garnish until it reaches the outside bottom of the garnish. The card will pull the garnish out enough to relieve the pressure on the tab.
3) With the plastic still inserted at the bottom of the garnish, use your fist to lightly punch the top of the garnish just under the windshield. The sharp downwards jolt will release the tab. Do the same thing on the opposite side of the garnish to release the opposite tab.
This is guaranteed to not break the tabs off.

For reinstallation, push the garnish back on so that the wind vent lines up inside the front above the headlight. Press down at the bottom of the garnish to get the tabs re-engaged behind the plastic. Then line up the screw boxes at the top of the garnish. If the lower garnish is not fully seated, take your fist and lightly pound on the bottom of the garnish to seat both tabs. Reinstall the 4 screws. The order shouldn't matter.

I'm delighted to say that my windshield arrived today from the US - it's taken about 10 days but I've got it at last.

Looking at the instructions (which are barely readable!!), it looks as if I've got to drill some holes before fitting. Did you guys drill anything? I don't remember reading anything about that in the 'pictorial instructions' or your posts.

If that's going to be the case, I may take it to my dealer to get it fitted - I don't trust myself to do it !!

Laurie

Laurie you are right the instructions have a lot to be desired.The reason for drilling the holes is for the 2 mounting brackets A good number of Swing owners do not mount the brackets, So no drilling and it has been fine. Now what I found out from all the good info. here Is that Givi and Honda had a love affair at one time The Swing was made to except a lot of givi after market Acc.So when you mount the brackets with existing bolts There is a place for 2 more bolts on each side If you drill about 3mm deep at these locations just thru the plastic there are 2 capture nuts under the plastic I used a drill bit slightly larger then the bolts that came with your shield. Reason you get confused is the instructions don't tell you why you are drilling and that the nuts are already there. I mounted the 2 brackets I think it makes it a lot stiffer If you are still a little leary about doing it you can take it to a Dealer But they might know less than you Tony

I just mounted it like you would mount a stock shield...didn't drill any holes and it's fine and very stable...less flexing than any shield I've used before.
Jules...Warrenton, VA

I also haven't used the metal brackets on either the GIVI or Airflow. I haven't had any problems with flexing or stress cracking around the 6 standard holes. But then again I don't drive above 120 km/h, nor into hurricane force winds.

Laurie,

I tried to use the metal strip but just put it aside since I didn't use it on the standard Givi shield either. And like Tony said, the dealers sometimes don't know anymore than the average SWing owner so you may want to try to do this yourself. There is a "Pictorial" that should help you out in the "Pictorial" section. It should only take about 30 mins the first time you do this.

Well, I managed to fit the screen yesterday. It took me about 45 minutes without losing any screws, washers, grommets or breaking any tabs!!

Took it out for a test run and, my goodness, what a difference it's made. It's quieter (I can hear myself think!), not much buffeting at all and even in the slip-stream of trucks and cars it felt much more stable.

What I love about it is that it can be adjusted by millimetres. I was afraid that it only had 3 settings (bottom, middle, top), so I have it set exactly where I want it.

Thanks again for all your tips and help guys. Couldn't have done it without you!!

Laurie

Where is a good place to buy this windshield? thanks billc. and what is a good price?

Twisted Throttle has them - it seems the standard price is $215 and change.

I bought mine at Helmet Head for $215.09 free shipping, arrived quickly.
See http://tinyurl.com/2aflmtf
Best,
Jules

I just finished removing my Airflow, installing the GIVI mounting plates, and reinstalling the Airflow. It took all of 20 minutes. After reading several posts by members who had used the GIVI plates, I decided to revisit this issue.

When I first bought the GIVI, I read (that's a joke unto itself) the pathetic instructions and assumed that I had to drill the windshield itself to install the plates. When I realized I only had to drill through the tupperware in 2 places to install both plates I decided it was worth my time.

Why? As others have said, basically it's the tupperware that supports the windshield if you don't use the plates. It's not the windshield that will develop the stress cracks over time, it's the Swing bodywork. Not a good plan, as again others said to replace any panels you'd be looking at $350+.

With the plates installed, now the 3 screws on each side of the windshield base are supported by the plate, which in turn is now firmly attached by 2 screws into the metal frame structure under the tupperware. I often wondered why GIVI included the plates which most people ignored. Their engineers are much smarter than I am. Why include mounting hardware that costs extra to engineer and manufacture if it's not 100% necessary?

That being said, I'm certainly not the be all and end all authority on this kind of stuff, but I really think those Swing owners who installed any GIVI windshield without the plates rethink their strategy.

One last tip for anyone working on any scooter. When dealing with fasteners, nuts, bolts, etc don't be in a hurry and hold more than one bolt, screw, washer, etc in your hand at one time. For example, when reattaching the windshield don't put all 6 screws in one hand and start screwing one at a time. The chances of dropping anything in your other hand while screwing goes up significantly. Ever drop a fastener down into the abyss inside the tupperware? I did the first time I did any work on my Swing. Fortunately I had a supply of metric screws and it wasn't a biggy. DO NOT be in a hurry and only hold one fastener at a time.
That's my tip of the day. Hey, there's a new thread jumping out at me.
"Tip of the Day" about your Swing.

Bigbird, how obvious is it where to drill the two holes?

Ta muchly!

On mine, I think I also remember some sort of circular markings in the tupperware which seemed to indicate where the holes need to be drilled. I don't know if that's why they were there or if it's something else from the manufacturing process. Has anyone else noticed this?

To respond to Bigbird about being in a hurry.And also DO NOT PUT ANY IN YOUR MOUTH unless it is small enough to pass or you have extras. Don't even ask. Tony

The National Enquirer said inquiring minds want to know. They would like a full write up plus pictures, said it should make the front page next to Elvis sighting in Afghanistan.

Craig

Well lets just say I am glad I had a spare Tony

Hi All,
I just returned from a 1200 mile ride, including Deal's Gap, and the Tail of the Dragon, with 4 Harleys, 1 Goldwing, 1 Reflex, and my Silverwing. This was the first long trip with my new Givi Air Flo windshield. I'm glad to report that this windshield is the best one that I have had, and that includes the regular Givi, and 3 sizes of Clearview. On the interstate, I kept it at about the halfway mark which allowed me to just see over it. There was no buffeting, but it let a nice breeze come around, just enough to be comfortable in the 90+ temps. In the twisties I put it at the lowest setting which allowed a really good view of the road ahead. I tried the lowest setting on the interstate, and I did get some buffeting on my helmet, but you would expect that. I was able to adjust it up or down with 1 hand while riding (slowly). The only issues I had was a lot of flutter at high speeds, but that was not a problem since I was looking over it, and there is some distortion if you try to look thru it. Overall, I highly recommend it.

Wendell

Yes, the flutter was front back movement on the lower section. And I did not install the brackets, but I will be doing that soon to see if that makes a difference. By the way, my gas mileage for the 1200 miles was 54 MPG and that included about 300 miles of interstate at 70 indicated.