Motorcycle Racing Forum

Motorcycle Talk => Wrenching => Topic started by: G-reg on June 16, 2008, 10:56:15 AM

Title: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: G-reg on June 16, 2008, 10:56:15 AM
Is there any trick to drilling mounting holes in a windscreen?  The only one I can find for this bike come without the holes drilled.. Attempted to drill holes in it this weekend and of course it broke.  Tried drilling more practice holes in it and cracked it more every time!

It seemed to get almost all the way through, and then as soon as it broke through on the opposite side it would split. 
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: bambam on June 16, 2008, 11:28:08 AM
 try using a very small bit ( like what you would use for safety wire )  and then stepping it up in small increments.  you can also try drilling part way through from the front then finishing it from the back.  it's been a while since i've drilled one so i cannot remember which method worked best.
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: Team_Serpent on June 16, 2008, 12:01:51 PM
I remember buying a windscreen without mounting holes once, it came with a special drill bit for drilling plexi.  Check your local hardware store, maybe they have something that will work for you.
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: G-reg on June 16, 2008, 12:22:32 PM
I'll try both those ideas, thanks!
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: Eric Kelcher on June 16, 2008, 12:48:33 PM
Try placing it on a soft piece of wood or hard piece of cardboard, helps disperse the pressure.
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: Gixxerblade on June 16, 2008, 12:56:13 PM
I used a step bit to drill mine. I never had a problem. YMMV.
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: HAWK on June 16, 2008, 01:20:56 PM
The trick to drilling acrylic is to use a special bit which is almost flat on the tip so as to almost melt its way through, the step or uni bit is very close to this. The problem is that a regular bit tries to take too big a bite as it comes through, kind of like when you drill metal and the bit catches ans stops as it punches through. Eric's idea with a piece of wood works too as long as the windshield is held tightly to the wood, ie clamped.
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: Super Dave on June 16, 2008, 01:37:21 PM
I seem to remember using a piece of tape on the area where I was going to drill.  Kept the drill in the right spot.
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: G-reg on June 16, 2008, 02:26:04 PM
Excellent tips!  You'd think they could include these instructions, instead of just printing "Warranty void if holes are drilled in windscreen"  :whine:
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: wolf44 on June 16, 2008, 02:40:10 PM
I always drilled with a piece of wood behind it and very light pressure
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: Sobottka on June 16, 2008, 03:50:40 PM
drilled mine yesterday, on the bike with a standard bit (probably 1/8th or 3 /16th inch) with no problem. just go slow and light
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: monica_ranis53 on June 16, 2008, 07:04:44 PM
You cant drill speed holes in your windscreen can you?  If its legal I think that I could use a couple....................................hundred.  Homer Simpson was onto something. :thumb:
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: Jason748 on June 16, 2008, 10:00:53 PM
Greg if you're still working on what I think you are... You should just give up and send that thing my way, I'll be more than happy to give it a loving home  :lmao:
We drill plex & acrylic at work all the time, Like Hawk wrote - We use a special near flat point bit and a mid speed with very little pressure and a solid surface beneath it.

Oh Yea... I'm still sorry about what Max did to your trailer door... I hope it cleaned up well.  I own you a  :cheers:
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: G-reg on June 17, 2008, 11:02:44 AM
Quote from: Jason748 on June 16, 2008, 10:00:53 PM
Greg if you're still working on what I think you are... You should just give up and send that thing my way, I'll be more than happy to give it a loving home  :lmao:

I can't give up yet, I haven't even had a chance to crash it yet  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Drilling holes in a windscreen..
Post by: Burt Munro on June 17, 2008, 01:05:27 PM
Quote from: monica_ranis53 on June 16, 2008, 07:04:44 PM
You cant drill speed holes in your windscreen can you?  If its legal I think that I could use a couple....................................hundred.  Homer Simpson was onto something. :thumb:

There's only one problem with hundreds of speed holes in your windscreen. 

They have to precisely line up with ones you drill in your helmet and visor which have to precisely line up with the ones you drill in your head!   :ass:   :biggrin: