I would appreciate any suggestions on how to have a windshield made for my Hitchhiker sidecar.
Don't know if this will help...
I've had some luck making snowmobile (can't be too different) windshields out of old motorcycle Fairing shields. Just go down to the nearest junkyard and keep an eye out for clear plastic poking out of the piles, alot of times they are connected to fairings and can be harvested. Use a dremel tool, hack saw, reciprical saw, or a cutting wheel to remove the plastic. Make a card board stencil that fits your desired shape and make sure it will fit your mounting location. I usually just use the inner flange of the cockpit. Trace your design onto the plastic and carefully cut it out using the desired cutting tool. I have had the best/cleanest cuts with a sawzaw (reciprical saw). Drill holes through the windshield into the flange on your sidecar tub, (1/8 drill bits are nice because they are small and easy to fill in if you make a mistake). I use pop rivets but you may want to use bolts and washers to fasten the plastic onto the flange. Important note: make sure it is warm where you are working, up here in Minnesota the plexiglass shatters pretty easily due to the cold. I would even consider using a heat gun carefully(don't melt it!) or a hair dryer to get the plastic more workable.
If all else fails and you don't want to do it your self go to a used motorcycle dealer or a shop and ask around for a windshield. you never know what they'll have.
Good luck!
Dusty
Try this link.
http://sidecar.home.insightbb.com/windshield.html
Do not try to use plexiglass or acrylic that you can buy at most home stores. Its pretty brittle and will break easily. Use a polycarbonate type material. Hope this helps you out.
Kevin
DrDusty, I would like to thank you for this post. I searched the archives first before I posted a request for windshield material, and found this one. It never dawned on me that I had two old HD windshields hanging up in the shed! One was on my 69 FL years ago before I took it off and hung it up in there. It's a little scratched and worn which made it easier to cut it down to what I needed.
You saved me at least the fifty dollars I was going to spend on a sheet of lanex and who knows what it would have looked like LOL.
Good post and thanks again
Jaytree
Hi, I bought a used car with the windshield broken. Went to my local Home Depot and bought a sheet of Lexan (27.00) and some body trim from JC Whitney (roll of it for 12.99) I used a dremel tool to cut it, and the results came out fairly decent.
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=163
Just food for thought
Tim
Thanks Tim! That was going to be my project, but my local Home Depot quoted me $40 and some change. Maybe you found a smaller sheet.
Hope the weather's good in your neck of the woods over the holidays. I'll be screaming through there Friday afternoon on my way to Tn.
If you are looking for a stop off point to take a rest on your way, i run a restaurant here in Savannah. Let me know, I would be more than glad to accomadate you.
Tim
Might be hungry for lunch around Savannah...
