I purchased a medium height Yamaha OEM windshield to replace the short one I have since I bought it. When installing the medium, it fits all the proper screw holes but when screwed in, it has a significant buckle along the nose on both sides the sled. It creates a significant gap and just doesn't fit snug. It is the correct windshield for the sled. Could I have just gotten one that doesn't fit correct? Has anyone else had any issue with replacing theirs? I'm afraid that this gap - which you can see through - will cause noise along with just not looking right.
Any help is appreciated. It's way too cold with the short one I've been running with for years.
Thanks,
Smurf
Any help is appreciated. It's way too cold with the short one I've been running with for years.
Thanks,
Smurf
I had the same problem on my 07. I have a windshield bag so it does not cause any issues. Maybe install it and heat it a little with a heat gun or hair dryer.
The gap would be the section that runs along the side by the headlight under the area like where you have the windshield bag. Thanks for the thought.
That is the same area on my 07.
biffdotorg
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Is that the difference between the 06-10 and 11-15 apex's? I was told the windy's are not interchangeable. Did you buy a windshield for a 11-15?
the windshields for 11-15 are not even close to the 06-10 . the mid height windshield i bought was for my sled.
Winderallday!
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I have found in the past that the mounting holes in optional windshields don't always line up the way they should. I have had to slot a hole or two in the shield with a round file in order to prevent the buckling you describe.
The mounting nuts inside the dash are encased in rubber and distort somewhat to suit the location of the OEM windshield holes, so if optional windy is even slightly different could cause a mis-match/buckle/gap.
I definitely bought the correct shield per Yamaha catalogue. It came with the correct OEM part number on it also. I follow the slot idea. How did you find it held by widening the hole? Do you think if I returned this one for another, I'd get a better fit?
Smurf
Smurf
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smurf: another shield may fit better/different, could be a bad quality shield, if dealer will take it back, worth a try. Slotting the holes slightly (like 1/8"max) should not be an issue as the plastic screws have a fairly large pan head on them. I would hand fit (press) the shield into position on your pod with screws removed to see if you can find the holes that are really mis-aligned, then see how much you think you need to remove in order to make them line up.
As mentioned, the rubber mounted nuts in the pod do take on a "set" position from the OEM shield hole locations. They are rubber mounted to account for the slight differences in the shields one to the other, and likely to absorb some of the shock. The plastic screw heads break fairly easy if you've ever had the occasion to over-tighten them, bend the shield back excessively, or lay sled on it's side, probably they are meant to break-away to minimize damage to the pod. Cheers.
As mentioned, the rubber mounted nuts in the pod do take on a "set" position from the OEM shield hole locations. They are rubber mounted to account for the slight differences in the shields one to the other, and likely to absorb some of the shock. The plastic screw heads break fairly easy if you've ever had the occasion to over-tighten them, bend the shield back excessively, or lay sled on it's side, probably they are meant to break-away to minimize damage to the pod. Cheers.
I follow you 100%. What a great, clear description. I'm unfortunately 3 1/2 hours away from sled. Will look at it next weekend. Should've been smarter and done this in offseason.
Smurf
Smurf
I switched over from the stock shorty to a mid height shield that I ordered from the Yamaha catalog that had flames, when it arrived the service guy caught a flaw in the forming of the shield that would have caused this type of problem. I ended up ordering a different one that was the stock shield off an ltx. Went on with no issues. He said they had issues with fitment on the ones that were custom decorated.
