Paul wrote:

BTW I was hoping to get a 3/16 windshield from Rich as he owes me a

bit of

money and he told me he would order one for me. I don't think the 1/8 is
too safe when it comes to bird strikes. I would like Lexan but so far
I cannot
find a reasonably source. What is Solly shipping in the way of Cruiser
windshields these days? Has anybody discovered who made the windshields
for Rich?

Paul Lamar

Bulent Aliev wrote:

Paul, you may be better with Plexiglas than Lexan. I hear that Lexan

scratches

easy and is hard to buff out.

Yes I think you are right. Not to mention expensive. It is not considered
modern and cool to have a steel tube in the middle of your windshield now
a days but it sure makes it harder for the birds to get through. Probably
help in a roll over accident as well.

Paul Lamar

Ken Powell wrote:

I have always understood that Lexan was much harder and more scratch

resistant

than Plexi - that is why off road goggle lens are made from it (it doesn't
scratch as easy).  The problem with making windshields out of it is that the
moisture content makes it hard to heat and form with molds.  There was an
article on windshields in Sport Aviation last year that was very

informative.

Ken Powell

Bill Freeman wrote:

You're both right.  Plain Lexan (polycarbonate) scratehes VERY easily.  Most
consumer items of significant value (like eyeglass lenses) are coated,

dramatically

improving scratch resistance.  The reason for goggles (motorcycle, shooting

glasses,

industrial safety) is that polycarbonate is VERY impact resistant.  I have shot
a 12 gauge with #6 at 1/16" inch Lexan at 10 yds and got no penetration.  Does
mess it up a lot, but your eyes would be OK.  I imagine that a coated Lexan
windshield would be pretty good.

The water content thing is exactly the problem with heat forming.

Polycarbonate

needs to be dried out in an oven before heat forming or it will fog

permanently.

I used to work at Union Carbide about a hundred years ago.

Oh, one other MAJOR big deal about polycarbonate.  Many solvents make it
craze and fall into pieces very quickly, like even a one-time wipe down.  This
is a serious problem with safety gear.  Like only special stickers as the

adhesive

solvent could destroy the item (like helmets).  Plexiglass is MUCH more
forgiving for solvents.

Bill

 
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