At the moment my car's got a pair of Brooklands aeroscreens and no heater. If I fancy a quick blat around I have put on a helmet and gloves, even if it's just for a 30-minute quiet trundle round the lanes. Most of the time this is fine, but occasionally it's a PITA. Having had some significant hits on my visor, I don't want to drive without some face protection! Also my missus is not so keen on wearing a helmet, and even when wearing hers has been got by flying objects under her visor in the past (she wears an open-face helmet with a full-face visor).

The alternative is to fit a windscreen - I know that they do nothing for aerodynamics, but I don't do trackdays and rarely exceed 70mph (honest, constable!).

I know that I could make my own windscreen - I have the technology - but that would probably be a long, drawn-out affair. I've been in contact with Mango and his frames would cost me a bit more (but a very fair price when you add up material and labour costs). That would result in a quicker fit.

Having a screen would also mean that I could rig up some basic weather protection!

What else would I need to consider when fitting a screen? So far I've thought of:

• Wipers - I believe that old-style Mini or Land Rover types are favourite.
  
• Screenwash - loads of kits available, just needs a bit more wiring and a switch.
  
• Demisters - I've done SVA so that's not a requirement, but these seem like a 'nice to have' accessory! This is probably the biggest problem for me, as I'm not sure where I'd fit a heater (the plumbing and electrics would be easy, but the physical location would be an issue). I doubt whether those electric jobbies would be up to the task.
  

No screen is fun for a while but will get a bit much on long journeys and is dreadful if it starts to rain.

You could do what I did with the buggy and fit a fold flat screen like the jeeps/landys or old cars had, it’s just a simple hinge and some catches. You can buy old landy wiper arms that have a butterfly bolt on them for quick removal. Just a suggestion really, as I like the buggy’s one since I have the best off both worlds, its great for round town driving with it down, then a quick flick up for the dual carriageways, its wipers are mounted on the top edge of the screen so don't need to be removed

If space is limited for a demister/heater, you could try and pick up a caterham heated screen if one ever comes up reasonably priced., you do see them 2nd hand now and again. Im assuming they are very expensive new though.

As long as it will fit your car ?

Im fitting a screen to mine because i want to make a small canvas top from the screen to the roll bar for those drizzly days - mind you, i need to build the car first

Good luck...

If you are fitting a windscreen, then side screens / doors are a must (IMHO).

Try to blag a passenger ride in a car with a windscreen, first with the doors off and then again with the doors on.

The buffeting that comes round the screen is incredible. I had a passenger ride in Jambojeefs car when it had just a windscreen and I had my eyes closed most of the time!

In comparison I've done 300 miles in a Caterham with a full windscreen and doors and it was great! Apart from the sunburnt head!

Mike

I would have a screen adn obv wash wipe, but I'm not sure I'd bother with demister as there's no interior for it to get misty from?

The cool thing about having a screen is that you can easily knock up some really good looking weather protection...


[img][/img]

^ that looks quite nice

re the comment about sidescreens and buffetting, I can confirm the problem. On one occassion I had to stop because my passenger was unable to breath properly, but I was having no problem. At first I couldn't work out what was going on, but then I guessed it was buffetting and asked her to hold her arms out as if she were driving - suddenly she could breath okay, but it did look very silly!

never even chew mint chewing gum when driving with no windscreen

you cannot breath as the mintyness is too cold

Yes - I like the look of that hood! It's the sort of thing I'd think of fitting (but I hadn't thought of using yellow... until now )

As for the buffeting - I wouldn't want side-screens/doors as that would take away too much of the open-air feeling that I love so much. Would those little wind deflectors found on Cobra screens make a difference?

I've had a screen for years and on long journeys side screens are good. For the odd run out I dont bother unless it is cold or just sitting doing 70 mph.

i went on a trip to B&Q last weekend without the doors on and it was freezing cold!! the wind made it so cold in the cockpit, also the passenger complained of not being able to breath properly through their nostrils.

In the afternoon, after dropping off the stuff from B&Q and beer from Morrisons, went up and over the moors with the doors on and no problem, no buffrerting, could breath easily, and talk to each other at all speeds, and it is so warm, got out of the car for 20 mins and when we got back in it was like the car had a heater in it!!

Also judging by the amount of fly's on the windscreen had managed to avoid getting splatted on the face a few times!!

Bunch of wosses!
Just fit a simple flat edge deflector along the scuttle.
You will be suprised how much just a small flat edge will shift the airflow above your head.

I'm going through just the same thought process re windscreen. I've also got Brooklands aero screens. I had them fitted to my 2CV special for years and they were fine except for the odd monsoon, but they are nowhere near as effective on the Locost.
Keep us posted with progress.

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
You could do what I did with the buggy and fit a fold flat screen like the jeeps/landys or old cars had, it’s just a simple hinge and some catches. You can buy old landy wiper arms that have a butterfly bolt on them for quick removal. Just a suggestion really, as I like the buggy’s one since I have the best off both worlds, its great for round town driving with it down, then a quick flick up for the dual carriageways, its wipers are mounted on the top edge of the screen so don't need to be removed

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quote:

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Originally posted by nitram38
Bunch of wosses!
Just fit a simple flat edge deflector along the scuttle.
You will be suprised how much just a small flat edge will shift the airflow above your head.

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I can confirm that the Cobra type wind deflectors work. They kept my hands nice and warm through a tropical storm in France! They are fitted with friction hinges too so altering the angle is simple.
See pic below:



Description

My screen is a Caterham heated one, £50 from Eblag with home made uprights although I've never needed to use the heated bit. You only get condensation if the air around the screen is at different temperatures on each side, rarely (if ever) happens in a 7!!

It's looking tempting! (that's very tidy)

this is how to mount the wipers on a fold flat screen. I used rubber door stops to protect the bonnet and the wind pressure holds it down as its lower at the front, rather than level.




[Edited on 24/4/09 by Mr Whippy]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.osborne42/extras.htm