More BMW K-bike Windscreen Fixes to Stop Buffeting and Noise

More Windscreen Buffeting Solutions

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Thanks everyone for sending in more tips on how to cure the problem that BMW engineers ignored! If you've found a method to do this better or cheaper, please send it in and I'll post it!

Here's another method that offers a possibility for moving the windscreen to help eliminate buffeting. This came to me from fellow BMW biker Pat Tormey:

"After reviewing your article I installed windscreen spacers and I gotta agree they work great!

But not having the machine shop handy, I made a quick and easy version that suffers a little on looks be is functionally the same.

All you need to do is cut a 30mm section of 3/8" alum round stock and through tap it to M6 x 1.0. Then replace the stock nuts with a simple hex or Allen head 6M x 1.0. A quick coat of black paint and install.

Since the standard Sears 6 m x 1.0 tap isn't long enough I had to tap both ends into the center instead of the simpler through tap but it worked fine.

The only tools you need are a drill, tap and a bench vise."

Pat also writes:

"I did find that the 30mm could be pushed a little. You need to replace the lower mounts with an insert made of 3/8" rubber gas line tubing (the fat kind is better) cut the tubing twice as wide as the windscreen itself and sandwich it between two flat washers; tighten them last. The washers compress the rubber and it expands to provide a flexible mount that allows a little more play.

But I didn't need more than the 30mm.. It worked great for me..

(In our state) we can ride without helmets. So I can really tell the sound reduction... AND as a benefit the bugs are airlifted right over my head (usually!)."

Thanks Pat!

And yet another tip from visitor Jeff Munn:

"Found your great advice on the web. I'd put over 140,000 miles on my '84 K100, and added the fairing last year but I was so disappointed that I took it off. Took your drawing to a local machine shop. Estimate was $50 for all the metric work, but if I changed the top threads to standard he dropped it to $30. Money well spent, I'd say. Put them on, and I'm loving my fairing now. What a magnificent difference. Thank you so much for the drawings. I'd have never been able to do this without them. This is what the web was made for."

Jeff then purchased some black plastic "acorn" nuts in standard thread to attach the bolts to the outside of the windscreen.

BTW, Jeff's got a neat website also: If you are interested in European touring or collecting toy BMW motorcycles, visit Jeff's website!

Here's another fix from self-described "cheapskate", Erik Hoet!

"My wife bought and had me install a BMW windscreen. But she hated the buffeting. So I saw your adapter suggestion and wanted to try them out. I attempted to get a local machine shop to make these adapters and they wanted $112 each!!"

Erik describes his neat solution:

"Buy two 1/4-20 steel coupling nuts (Good luck finding these in SS) about 1-1/8" long. But they have the wrong thread to match the BMW mounts.

Then buy a 6 mm tap and re-thread one end to 6mm. Yes, sloppy I know, but there is little tensile load here as the wind tends to push the shield into the coupling nut. Add some Loctite 242 for comfort.

Then buy two SS 1/4-20 x 1.25 Long screws, Pan Head (Phillips head is what I found) along with a couple of SS Washers and replace the goofy BMW black plastic cap nut with the new 1/4-20 SS screws and some washers. Reuse all the rubber stuff. Cover the coupling nut with black 3M 33 tape (or 88 if you prefer). Black heat shrink would be a more permanent covering. Both for looks and protection from weathering. Or paint if you like. (I was in a hurry).

If you already have the 6 mm tap, then you spend about $2.50 in hardware. Can even afford some extras in case you screw up (pun intended).

Not quite as nice as the machined SS design you have on the website. Nor quite as long, but it works. My wife, who is 5' 6", immediately saw a difference in wind buffeting and has since ridden out to Vegas and back to Phila with her K75. Another happy camper. Thanks for the great idea on the adapter though!!!!

Just an alternative for the cheapskates amongst us. (like me)"

Thanks everyone for the kind words and the tips!! Keep 'em coming!