Windshields for Moto Guzzi California
There are a variety of windshields to choose from if you are looking to just replace or to update the looks and function on your Moto Guzzi California motorcycle.
Here we’ll explore a few different brands and styles that have versions available for the Cali.
When selecting a motorcycle windshield, the recommended height is to have the top edge of the windshield just slightly below eye level, about the height of your nose. Of course, the best height is whatever makes you comfortable for how you like to ride; however, windshields taller than eye-level can be really difficult to see though when they’re wet.
For the California Vintage, Rifle Fairings has replacement windshields that are pre-drilled to fit the factory mounting hardware. National’s standard width is 22.5 inches and is 1 inch wider than stock. As an extra-cost option, you can order 25.5 inch width.
The Rifle aftermarket California Vintage windshield is available in three different heights: 19.5 inches (1 inch taller than stock), 21.5 inches (3 inches taller than stock), and 23.5 inches (5 inches taller than stock) as measured from the top of the headlight to the top of the windshield. Color choices are dark gray, light gray or medium bronze.
The stock Moto Guzzi Cal Vintage windshield is polycarbonate (says “Lexan FMR” on it). This grade of polycarbonate has excellent impact resistance as well as hard coating for abrasion resistance. Good stuff.
Many aftermarket windshields, including these specific models from National Cycle, are acrylic instead of polycarbonate. Generally, acrylic is not nearly as impact-resistant as polycarbonate. National does offer polycarbonate windshields, but not specifically designed for the Californias.
For the Moto Guzzi California EV, Rifle offers similar to the above, except heights are 15, 17, 19 inches, and widths are 22 inches or the “slim” version at 2o inches.
National Cycle (available at Motorcycle Superstore) offers several different options that can be fit to a variety of Moto Guzzi California motorcycles. A minimalist windshield, called the “Flyscreen” just about covers the gauge cluster and provides a little wind deflection, but no serious protection from the wind.
Other National Cycle windshield options for the Guzzi California are the Street Shield, the Street Shield EX, Deflector Screen, Deflector Screen DX, and the Plexistar 2. The greatest wind protection comes from the Plexifairing 3 which as built-in lowers as well as hand grip coverage. The Plexistar 2 is similar, but does not have the lower extended shield feature. Costs for these vary between $100-$200 USD.
Clearview Shields of Colorado offers their classic (16.5 or 20.5 inches height) and sport (15 inch or 17 inch height) acrylic windshields for the Moto Guzzi California EV, Stone, Titanium and Aluminum. Also available are replacement windshields for the EV and Stone touring fairings. Stock windshield size is 18 inches high x 20.5 inches wide. Their model GT22 is 21.5 x 21.5 inches for extra coverage.
One of the better deals for a windshield for the Moto Guzzi California touring fairing is the Slipstreamer replacement fairing windshield p/n 10696G available at JC Whitney for about $63 USD depending on what size option you choose. It is guaranteed to fit the factory fairing.
Whatever type of Moto Guzzi California windshield you choose, be sure to keep it clean the right way. Be very careful when cleaning a motorcycle windshield, otherwise you could create tiny micro-scratches that can make it look hazed. Those scratches could take some effort to get rid of, depending how deep they are, but usually they can be polished away to a like-new shine with some effort.
What make and model of windshield works best on your Guzzi California?
About J.Clay
John Clay is the author of MotoGuzziCalifornia.Com. He and his family reside in North Carolina in the United States. A graduate of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Experienced Rider Course, he enjoys riding and maintaining his Moto Guzzi California Vintage. John participates in local charity rides and also serves as a volunteer motorcycle marshal for one of the largest annual bicycle charity event in the Carolinas.
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I was wondering if there are any full fairings for newer Moto Guzzi’s other than H&H and Hannigan. I have a California Vintage and the stock windsheild just does not cut during cold weather. What are the pros and cons as far as frame or bar mounted fairings?
I’ve fitted the original California EV large screen to my vintage, for me (6 feet tall) the perfect screen up to top speed! Just had to make 2 metal strips for the foglight brackets, and this screen has the original California look to it and not the Harley style!
I would like to purchase a California Vintage windshield the one I would like is the 21.5 inches (3 inches taller than stock) as measured from the top of the headlight to the top of the windshield. My Colour choice light gray.
Can you advise on how I can buy the screen,including delivery cost to the UK?
Is the above screen available in Polycarbonate Instead of acrylic?
Jon, you might try contacting Rifle Fairings in USA to see if they ship windshields to UK or if they have a distributor there. If you go to http://www.rifle.com and select “replacement windshield” for Moto Guzzi, you can pick the size configuration you want. Keep us posted as to what you get and your impressions of it. I may eventually do the same.
Thanks,
John
I just installed a Rifle Classic (tall) on my ’04 Titanium before I left on a 2,500 mile trip from my home in Wyoming thru Saskatchewan and Alberta. the quality and sturdiness of the Rifle are outstanding, though I still got more buffeting than I like. when I got back I contacted Laminar Lip and put a universal lip on top of the Rifle. I’d say the buffeting has been reduced by maybe 50%, though the lip looks a little funky up there. I’m leaving on another trip to Illinois, then to the Salt Flats after that so I’ll have a better impression of how I like this set-up when I get back…I’ll let you know.
Hi Bob:
Just wondering how your ride with Laminar Lip turned out – I just bought a new Vintage, and also need some to alleviate the wind moise on my helmet caused by original windshield alone…
Thanks.
Roy