Modern Vespa

First let me say that the service and speed of PJ's was unprecedented in my experience ordering anything online. Thanks guys, you have a great customer oriented business there.

So I got the tall Fabbri since I am relatively tall (6'2" and the top of the windscreen is about 2 inches above my eyes). Installation was easy even though the directions are in Italian After I installed it I took it for a short 10 mile ride at highway speeds and here are my initial impressions:

Pros:
1. Easy Install!
2. Absolutely removed all frontal wind buffet.
3. Good quality, clear view and sturdy. Even at 70mph I saw no signs of vibration.
4. Keeps wind off the hands which will be nice this winter.
5. Noise reduced.

Cons:
1. The rear push of wind while is not nearly as strong as the frontal buffet with the oem screen tended to push my helmet forward.
2. Install directions in Italian and some of the ink from the photocopy stuck to the inside of the screen and is hard to remove without scratching.
3. Had to remove the rubber grommets from the oem screen and put in the Fabbri...you would think that it would come with them installed or at least in the package.

Obviously, the quality and quantity of the pros outweigh the cons and I think I will be loving this screen as the weather gets cooler. I will probably have to trim the top a bit as I prefer to look over the screen. Maybe this will help to equalize the push from the rear on my helmet.

Might try Goof Off to get rid of the ink. Make sure it wont hurt the screen material though. I am sure it will take care of the ink.

Fabbi does good for the 250 and 400 but the 500 is junk IMO

I have heard that

I just installed my new screen also. PJ's is great. The rubber trim that came in the package stinks, I will also resuse the stock stuff. I am 5 ft 4 and the screen is great! IF i were any shorter I couldn't see over the top. More than 2-4 inches taller and I definately think there would be some buffeting.

I was tightening up my last screw and I heard a cracking sound. It is the bottom left screw/lbolt. The grommet was in place and I did not over-tighten. Do you think it is safe? The tall Fabbri, is brand new.
The crack is out from the hole and goes for about 1/2 inch. Maybe PJ's will help me out, with another one.

Bummer. Drill the crack to keep it from spreading.

I may wind up having to do that. Thanks for the suggestion.

I installed the Fabbri tall screen and I lowered the seat to 29," because I'm 5'3" and have to touch the ground. I look through the screen and am completely blocked from wind and flying debris. I love the screen.

I use Invisible Glass cleaner on the screen. I also use RainX on it. Both products are very good.

I found installing the screen very easy. The lack of extra grommets didn't bother me as I abhor waste and actually liked the frugality of reusing the orginal equipment parts when I can. Transfering the grommets, using a needle nose plyers as a "persuader" made the job very easy.

I used the black edging which can with the Fabbri screen, but it can loose during a ride and I eventually threw it away. It's not necessary and looks fine without the partial screen covered.
I also ordered from PJ's who were very responsive and timely in both communicating through emails and with delivery.

Excellent mod for me.

Do you have a link for PJ's? I've never heard of it.

http://www.pjsparts.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=74

PJ responded and said that they would help me a little on the cost of another windshield. I took it to a glass dealer and they countersank the hole and said that they did not believe it would be a problem, as small as the crack was. I must have tightened it, more than I thought. Learn from my mistake and just snug them up. I also had the windshield, cut down by 2". I am 6'2" and believe that will work good for me. I really like the windshield and the looks of it. I will report more, after more riding.

Only wish I had not waited so long, to get it.

I can not say enough about how good PJ is to deal with. I happen to live in KY and it is a short 90 mile ride there. His customer service is GREAT, he responds to email or phone calls promptly and will help you work through any problems you have.

I have mounted the Fabbri short and tall screen. The short screen gave me tremondous air hammer right at ear level. The tall screen was a lot better but still had air hammer on my right side at speeds of 50 mph or more. I'm 6'2" tall but couldn't find a workable solution with the Fabbri windscreen.

I ended up ordering a GIVI and put in on.....WOW it was like sitting in my car it is so quite. I do get some noticeable draft from the rear which is sometimes a bother so just unroll my collar for relief.

I think the major differnce is in the recurve of the GIVI screen at the top and the angle of rake for the length of the screen. The GIVI is just as long as the Fabbri but is angled low enough to see over. With the Fabbri I was looking through the screen. I does put me closer the edge of the screen but not enough so as to be a safety issue.

The handgrip fairings for all the screens do a good job of keeping cold air off the hands. All of the screens were easy to mount in the original locations by reusing the old gromments, bushings, and screws. One word of caution though - Two of the bushings are shorter than the other four. The short ones got in the two gromments at the bottom and the four longer ones go into the gromments on the sides.

Try adding the Micro Swirl edging from Saeng. It makes the GIVI even better for taller riders.

http://mp3scooter.wetpaint.com/album/46994/MP3+mods+and+add-ons

http://www.saeng.com/4000.htm

+1 on the edging. It's a little stiff when first applied and won't want to stay put. I used a bunch of clamps to hold it in place overnight, then no problems.

Mine went on fine on a warm day. I would recommend "warming it up" prior to application. Not a lot, just probably 70-90 degrees.

Update on the Fabbri.

Been using it for a month and it is a real life saver on cold mornings. However, one of the biggest, albeit unexpected, pros I found is a vast reduction to the pain in my upper back I sometimes got with the stock screen. It was a nice surprise. Anyway, here is what I have found for fog or light rain.

At 6'2" I still have to sit up very straight to see over the tall screen but on a recent foggy morning found two possible answers.

1st - I find that if I lean to the side and look around the screen and use a slight counter steer to counter the lean the scooter tracks strait and is easy to recover from quickly. It does draw some funny looks though. I usually run that way on one side for awhile then switch over to the other. The slipstream keeps most of the fog off my face shield. Works well for short distances.

2nd - Another less extreme method is to keep a cotton wash cloth down between the screen and the dash and use it to periodically wipe the top couple inches down. Also handy for goggles or face shields.

When I have time I will probably get the screen cut down a little to proper height but till then...these work for me.

And it's good fun.

Very true jim...how could I leave out the best part?