I know you have done some mods to the heat shields since you first introduced them...
Can you list any other modifications or improvements on the shields...or better yet, maybe a HISTORY of the changes since the creation of these shields. I know one change was the use of the sheet metal that layered between the leather wings. Any actual design changes?
Yeah. Sorry. I've been kinda involved in politics lately with all the stuff going on.
The sheet metal is still layered in between layers of leather I went to a little thinner sheet metal that may not be doing the job like it should so I will be using a thicker kind or maybe doubling up on the thinner stuff to use it up as long as it still works like that. I have a much better leather stitching machine now that I will probably never break even on but I use it for many other things like holsters and stuff. The thread is thicker and the stitching holes are generally farther apart.
The basic design is pretty much the same though. With feedback from good folks like yourself and others I made the front space wider so there would be more adjustibility. I'm going to try and put your idea about using the tank bolts as index points so they only go on in one position if someone chooses to use them that way. Maybe even use a removable snap on piece.
I've read and seen pictures of some folks using them differently than I intended but I figure if it works better for them that way then all the better.
I'm getting a low back surgery done again in a couple of weeks so that will put me out of action for a while. As soon as I can sit up comfortably though; I will be spending more time in the leather shop.
I think you would be happier with it later after I get a chance to make those changes. I will send a PM when ready unless you need them sooner for some reason.
No, I can wait. But I definitely want to order. I don't have the one with the metal in it...I think that would be a pretty good improvement to have. Maybe you'll have time to incorporate the bolt modification as a register point.
Thanks Bob. Again, I hope you have a good surgery and quick recovery.
Bbob,
Sounds like you've got a worse case of maintainers back then I do or you lucked out and found a doc that was willing to do more than prescribe pain killers. Wishing you a successful surgery and a quick recovery!
Bbob,
Sounds like you've got a worse case of maintainers back then I do or you lucked out and found a doc that was willing to do more than prescribe pain killers. Wishing you a successful surgery and a quick recovery!
OK..I got my HEAT SHIELDS from BBob the other and installed them this morning. Fantastic is all I can say!!!
Bob, they not only look great, but these fit perfectly and the ability to "mold" the wings is a huge improvement.
My only complaint is that tomorrow it's supposed to be in the 20's and I NEED heat to test them. LOL Actually, I already know they work, so I am set for awhile now.
Thanks again to those who wished me well on my back surgery. It seems to have gone well up until the recovery room. I got one of them Nurse Ratchet's from hell. God she was horrible. I woke up in terrible pain due to her insistence in me staying the night and be admitted even though my doctor, his PA, the anesthesiologist and myself had already formulated and agreed on the plan for me to go home ASAP after the surgery which is where I am now. Finally the anesthesia doctor stepped in and made sure I received the correct pain meds via IV. What should have been a 1.5 stay in the recovery room turned out to be 5 hours. Of course the pain came back an hour into a 2 hour ride home. I don't want to but her bosses are going to receive a formal letter of complaint. This is not a young new nurse. She is over 50 and thinks she knows more than everyone combined. In my opinion nurses like that are a detriment to society and have no business being in contact with patients; humans or otherwise (like pets).
So anyway, outside of the bad nurse, all went well. Thanks again for caring and I'm glad you're happy with your shield Wally. thumb up cheers
1) Glad to hear that you're recovering nicely. That should go without saying, but, there, I said it.
2) Sorry about Nurse Rachet (actually "Rached" -- great book and movie). I'm with you, about letting institutions know about both good and bad experiences and services. How else they gonna learn?
3) Re your heat shields, I have the following suggestions or questions:
A) Any chance that you could cover the outside in something that matches the stock seat material, i.e., textured, "puffy," vinyl? Or would this not be practical, for reasons of heat?
B) I would like to see them a little wider (I think).
C) I like your idea of putting holes for ease of proper alignment.
D) Of course, as an owner of one for a while, I'd like to see a discount for repeat customers (possibly coupled with a trade-in, trade-up, plan).
OK...here's my 2 cents worth. I have been using Bob's shields since their inception. I beta tested for Bob. Furthermore, this is the 3rd version I have installed on my bike. Each generation has improved from the previous generation...needless to say, I like them. They HELP the problem of heat in the cockpit/seat areas, but in my opinion NOTHING will fix it (including Victory). It's the nature of the bike (you ARE sitting on an engine)...all TOURING bikes have this problem.
So my take on the design is that I believe they are about as effective as they can be given that there are not many options for "directing or diverting" the heat away. Would wider be better? It might be, but if Bob decides to do that, I would recommend that the he widen them only slightly because you still have to consider the "aesthetics" and lines of the bike.
For now, Bob has the only GREAT way of assisting in a more comfortable ride. I believe the ULTIMATE solution would be for Victory (or Kuryakyn) to design an ABS mountable version of a heat deflector. Even the BEST leather (and well maintained) will eventually start to degrade due to the extreme temperatures and drying of the leather.
I dont find that to be true, unless you dont feel Goldwings and BMWs are touring bikes. Even in the vtwin world this is the hotest bike Ive ever riddin. While others are in shorts in 112 degree heat ridding their harleys I couldnt dream of it. Its not something I would do but that isnt the point of the message.The point is they can and do. I dont know about the Cross country or the cross roads but the tour model really deep fries your legs and the feet of the passenger. I have got to find a way to direct the heat away from her feet. As it is in any temps over 85 degrees I cant get enough air flow to her feet to keep them from cooking.
Just as a reminder to all; I started doing this because I too was having some heat issues with the stock Vic lowers so I made a set. Someone else wanted some, then others, so I went ahead and decided to keep making them and improving them along the way. Sometimes people ask why I don't patent them. I wouldn't know who's name to put it under because so many have helped to make it better a little at a time.
In other words; I'm just a fellow Vic XC rider trying to help out my fellow riders.
It has been fun to learn more and more about leathercraft though and improve on techniques along the way.
Agree with everything said in the last two posts. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the product, just figured if Bob was looking to continue to tinker I'd try slightly larger.
Maybe I should make it an option. What do you guys think? Standard and XL?
Heck; everything is an option as far as I'm concerned. I just want to get as close to what the customer wants as I can.
Wally, after thinking about it a bit, I'm not sure the ABS plastic would last any longer than the leather. Maybe even not as long. Steel or an alloy would though. Unlike a seat; the shields don't get stretched and stressed so the cracks may never show if some routine maintenance is given at the same time as other surfaces of the bike. The resolene acrylic I apply when done making them should last quite a while. Anyone could continue using it or Super Sheen acrylic from time to time or switch to a leather conditioner or water proofing.
Not gonna argue with you because I can't speak to the BMW. But the Goldwing has the same complaints (maybe not to the same degree, no pun intended)...but there are complaints about the heat in the box. Same for the Ultra's.
Here's my setup...maybe it will help you. I have the Ultimate seat and that HELPS. I have the Victory seat pad and that HELPS. I run regular gas and that HELPS. I have Bob's heat shields, and that HELPS. I keep my vents CLOSED at all times, and that HELPS. You put all those things together and on VERY hot days I am no more uncomfortable than anyone else on a hot day.
I could ride all day long on wing wearing shorts and the only burn I got was a sun burn. Same goes on a beamer. The reason being on a wing the heat is directed back toward the rear tire. Ive ridden the harleys and they were damn hot but not as hot on the legs as the vic. I assume air flow has a lot to do with it.
Anyway, not sure how a seat changes the heat to your legs or the feet of the passenger? I need more information to understand how it works? Also how does a seat pad keep heat off your legs? As far as the vents being kept closed I cant say Ive had the experiance of less air flow keeping my legs cooler. I know opening diff amounts can change things but if i close them completely I might as well be a oscar myer wiener because Im roasted. Hence why Im very hopeful these shields will help. No question Bob has a very reasonable price and from what I have seen the best design to date. I"m really hoping they might help direct the heat away from my passengers feet.
I think it does help, Joseph, because airflow is caught by the skirt of the shield and directed downward where it exits much lower. What happens for the passenger is the heat still goes rearward (it has to go somewhere), is mixed with the cylinder head heat and the ambient air and creates a flow down around the passengers boot soles where it isn't felt like it would be if it was hitting in the shin area.
Maybe Arkie or others can get a passenger to feel the air flow to see if they are getting the same results...
BOB, once your back in full swing I will order one. I would like to buy one with the navy embossed. No rush on my end, back surgery is serious business, take your time and heal up right.
Whats the chances you could use one of those infrared laser type thermometers to see how much it actually reduces the felt heat? You could take some before and after readings in different area's.
The thermometers cost around $30. but it would be great info to provide the potential buyers who are on the fence as to whether or not it works as well as they would like it too.
Whats the chances you could use one of those infrared laser type thermometers to see how much it actually reduces the felt heat? You could take some before and after readings in different area's.
The thermometers cost around $30. but it would be great info to provide the potential buyers who are on the fence as to whether or not it works as well as they would like it too.
This is an excellent question but not one for this product. This merely redirects the heat down and away.
Doing a before and after with a particular type tuner or another and the settings on them would be good info though.
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