Zero Gravity Double Bubble on a Yamaha Fazer

DOUBLE BUBBLE
Windscreen Installation on my Fazer.

One of the weak spots you immediately notice on the FZ-1 is the windscreen. In fact, calling it a windscreen is embellishing a bit. In reality, it is a cover for the gauges, because that is all it does. The gauges stay dry, and you get a nice blast of air right at the middle of your chest, up to your helmet. You can cut Yamaha a little bit of slack here, as a taller screen would upset the lines of the fairing, but I really wanted a functional screen that would provide some protection. The FZ-1 that I demo rode for a day in Vermont had the Yamaha Touring Screen on it, and this unit did a great job of deflecting the wind, but it was a bit ugly. I wanted a screen that would somewhat follow the lines of the bike, so the search was on.


Here is how the stock screen looks on the bike.

After searching high and low, I found several companies that made a screen for the Yamaha, including Rifle and Givi. Both were really tall, and reminded me of the optional Yamaha screen. However, I found that Zero Gravity also made a screen, and it followed the lines of the bike. This was the one I wanted. A quick trip to my dealer and I ordered the screen. I wanted the Zero Gravity Double Bubble in a dark smoke. The Double Bubble will give me a taller and wider pocket of air to work with, without the screen looking like a barn door bolted to the fairing. My dealer ordered the screen on a Monday, and by next Monday it still wasn't in. By Wednesday, it still wasn't in. So, I have my dealer call ZG and they say they haven't shipped it, but they have one here and it will go out that day..... Way to go, Zero Gravity!!!!!

When I finally get it, the windscreen is packed in a HUGE box, and wrapped in plastic. It looks great. I wanted dark smoke because you can't really look through it, and the dark color would look good with the silver. And it did look good. Very nice, in fact. Removing the old windscreen was a snap, as it's only held on by six fasteners, and the screw into a self-retaining plastic washer / bumper/ nut. There would be no fiddling around with a pair of needle nose pliers trying to get a nut buried behind the gauges. A Phillips screwdrivers made quick work of the six retaining screws, and the stock shield came right off. Even though the bike only has 400 miles on it, I still cleaned the mating surface in preparation for the new screen, and made sure that there were no burrs in the bodywork that might damage the screen. I also checked to make sure that the Double Bubble was the same thickness as the stocker, so the stock hardware could be used. Everything was perfect.


Stock screen is removed and new one installed.

All the screws are re-installed on to the new unit. The Double Bubble mounted up prefect, and every hole was lined up with the stock body work. No worries at all. With all the screws loosely installed, I begin to tighten each one from the bottom up, criss-crossing as I go up. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN these screws, as you will crack the windscreen. Maybe not now, but it will happen. I usually say " snug, and a bit". Just enough to ensure that they won't loosen up. I shy away from using stuff like Thread-Lock as you often can't remove the screws if you use this product. The screws themselves are often a soft plastic and strip quite easily.


Here is the finished product. See the difference?

The end result was just what I expected. A quick ride confirmed what a huge improvement this addition was to the touring capability of this bike. To not have the wind beating at your chest was nice, and the air was now directed around my helmet, not directly at it. The new screen helps retain the nice, original lines of the bike, cuts a larger pocket of air, and the dark smoke looks great with the silver paintwork. The screen itself was of excellent quality, fit and finish. At a retail price of $69.95, it is a bit pricey. But the comfort it can bring to a long ride is invaluable.

Dave Pawlikowski