Lexan Windshield

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In stead of taking the thread linked to below on more of a tangent, I'm posting to a new
thread. Some more info/opinions can be found in the thread below on page 2 ........

The famous 'stiff ride' question...

I've had my Lexan windshield (WS) since 2015 and it's been to 108 mph, but today at 10 mph
it broke when I hit a small bump in the road while making a turn. The dimensions are 19 inches
high and 3/4 inch thick, so it's gets a fairly high load at a cruising speed of 70-75 mph. I made
it 19 inches high so I could look THRU it and not over it. I was thinking that it would be more
comfortable especially when I get caught in a rain storm and it has happened big time. Picture
me and a storm both going east at about the same speed for 30 minutes.

For several months now I've been thinking about cutting it down to about 13 inches. I just didn't
like the looks when it's 19 inches tall, it's just out of proportion to the rest of the car. Besides, my
wife and I like to wear googles now and it's just not as important to have such a tall windshield.
With the WS leaning back at 15°, it also makes it hard for her to get in thru the door. The car was
built in 1979 and is therefore of standard dimensions. The shorter WS should make this easier for
her to get into the car.

Well it looks like I'm going to get my wish !!!





Thursday I leave for Waco !

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Wow, I have never seen Lexan crack like that. Wonder if the uv's had an effect on it.

 

Bummer! At least you weren’t on the expressway when it let go! Call if you need anything from me.

 

Hey! When you go to Waco you only have to ask Sueane! Lol

 

Laminated safety glass windshield was $65 (in 2000) ....7/8 aluminum round stock , 12' Kong was $12 ( again, in 2000), no need for lexan cracking bolts to hold the glass ...

 

Maybe it was a stress crack. There is that big drilled and tapped hole right by the crack. I had a Lexan windshield for a while. It too, was a shortie. Like 12". It was too short but the hardest part was preventing scratches.
Now the bucket has a regulation glass windshield.

 

A Harley rider across the street told me that cycle riders soak the bugs off. So I never rub them,
just keep going over the WS with a wet rag and then come back with a microfiber rag to dry it.
It does take alittle longer but after several years I'm still happy with the Lexan windshield.

 

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My brother and I cut the WS down and at the same time removing any remnants of the threaded
holes for the WS supports (stanchions) and mirrors. Remember I'm going for a shorter WS of 13
inches. From there it took most of the day to contour the WS to match the body undulations, a
little here and little there for hours. This body is from the late 1970's, so it's not straight across,
in fact it dips right about the middle of the WS. We spent the extra time to make the WS match
the body so the MD weather stripping would compress and seal across the body just above the
WS ....... because,

I was caught in a down pour last summer and at 60 mph the water came pouring in and down
between the gap created by the WS and body for 30 minutes until I got home. That was nerve
racking watching my AEM digital gauges that feed my AQ-1 data acquisition system under water.
[[Same as the gap where the MD weather stripping resides in the photos]]. My goal was to stop
that rain coming in next time and also make it look better. There was no way I could make it look
perfect, but the weather stripping helped tremendously to help HIDE my deficiencies.







AQ-1 Data Logger



We used many power tools .......
belt sander, saber saw, jig saw, router, contour gauge [shown below] ........



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Some related info that's needed for the edges and some inspirations .........

 

The Scarab cars I am involved with are all equipped with Lexan windshields. As I recall there are around 30 cars or so licensed for the street. The company issues certificates or origin or MSO and I have never heard of anyone having a problem with registering them. As they are a recreation or continuation vehicle they are considered 1959 models by many states and don't have to meet the emission standards of many states. Engine options vary with some running a carburetor, a throttle body with a stand alone computer, a Hilborn mechanical injector or a electronic controlled Hilborn injector. To my knowledge no one has had any issues with in state including California. Lexan does take some care so as not to scratch it and windshield wipers are not advised. If it rains just pull down your goggles. Good luck!

George

 

Try using diluted dish soap for drilling and tapping...less material stress and the holes won't turn white. Just keep the rpm's low and clean out chips as you go.
I decided to use 3/8" Makrolon lexan and frame it out with 1" aluminum round stock (may need to go with a smaller diameter) . That way I wont need to drill and tap the plastic. Your dislike of the higher windshield has me questioning how the taller one will look on mine. It is also laid back 15 degrees but there are no doors. Looks like another mockup before I get too far.

 

Do you have door(s) in your car? With that 15 degree layback windshield, ingress/egress from your bucket may be difficult. I'm just sayin' . . .

 

The first time I was concerned with having the air go over me and therefore a higher WS. This
time I've got nothing to loose by cutting off the bottom and trying the shorter WS. Tomorrow I
will have time to go for drive and see if the air still goes over me. It still might not be a big deal
since the wife and I wear googles, they sure make it more pleasing for the eyes.

A lot less stress on the WS now, it's been reduced by about 40 %.

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That actually looks really sweet . . . I like that aesthetic more than with the taller WS

 

Thanks!!!!

I believe it looks alot better with the short windshield also. Later I will get back with my
impressions of driving behind a short WS.

 

My windshield is laid back at 24 degrees and is 9" tall at the center point. I've not found a need for goggles as my glasses provide enough comfort for me but my wife prefers wrap around sunglasses which I too use on bright sunny days. Goggles are VERY uncomfortable for either of us, besides, my wife says that we look goofy wearing them. LOL I might also add that when I'm seated behind the wheel, the center of my eyes are exactly at the very top of the windshield. It really blows my hair but not so much in my eyes. In thirteen years of driving I would not change a thing. "Sit IN it not ON it" is my motto.

Jim

 

When you have the luxury of designer(s) & constructed(s) to build from the ground up specifically what you want , it's nice , unfortunately most of us aren't able ( financially or otherwise) to do that. Make sure that others know you have a custom size / shaped body . No matter what you do , within the perimeters of a stock size 15_25 T , you're never going to sit down in it like that ,. A 26-27 , maybe...

 

My body is stock '23'-'25 up to the cowl. We made the cowl like a '26-'27 thus gaining 6"of legroom. It is registered as a '25 and I sometime jokingly say that it was a predictor for the '26-'27's.

Jim

 

Well, mine is a standard 23 Spirit body, built bit by bit over 15 years as I could afford the time/money. And I sit 'in it' not on it. What do ya think . . .

 

Well I'm glad I don't look that old .... like Spanky !!!

I just had to tryout those emoticon above, I've never seen anyone use them! LOL!!!