The Klock Werks Flare™ Windshield for Street Glides has a fascinating history that began with a need for improved stability at high speeds. Back in 2006, Brian and our race team, at the time, faced a critical challenge when we set out to break a land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats with our custom-built Road Glide®—aptly named WFB (World’s Fastest Bagger). Despite various modifications, the bike suffered from the notorious bagger high-speed wobble, making the experience nerve-wracking.
To address this, Brian and the team theorized that the wobble was caused by the front of the bike lifting at high speeds, which destabilized the bike. On the way home from Bonneville that year, Brian and the kids had their hands out the window, flowing with the air. Brian was inspired by how the angle of his hand in the wind manipulated the air flow current to press his hand down or up. And just like that, a genius idea was born: he could use the air to add pressure and downforce to stabilize the front of the bike.
Their first and quickest try was forming a windshield with a particular shape with the theory that this would work with the air to help stabilize the front end. This theory, with trial and error, was a game changer for the Klock Werks racing team. That's what the original theory and windshield was for, but man did it pack a bigger punch for Klock Werks history!
This was truly a pivotal point for us. We realized after successful record breaking passes that this windshield and its new shape wasn't just beneficial to the racing world, this could help any biker add stability to their motorcycle in a stylish and affordable way. The team got to work, nailing down the design, testing it in wind tunnels, deciding size and tint factors and more.
What truly made this windshield such a game changer was the end design and shape; which is specifically shaped to harness the power of the air to create downforce on the front of the motorcycle. Unlike traditional windshields that merely deflect air, the Flare™ Windshield features a unique "flip" at the top and "hips" on the sides. The "flip" redirects air upward, pushing the front of the bike down, effectively reducing lift and increasing stability at high speeds. Meanwhile, the "hips" help route the wind around the rider, reducing buffeting and improving overall riding comfort.
The success on the salt flats and the validation from the wind tunnel testing led to the first Flare™ Windshield being introduced to the market in 2008. Initially designed for Road Glides, the overwhelming demand had us quickly shifting gears to expand to Street Glides. Recognizing this, Brian swiftly developed a 6.5" FLH Flare™ Windshield that mirrored the stock size but delivered ten times the performance. What truly made this windshield such a game changer was the end design and shape.
The first model was mocked up on a 2006 Street Glide, affectionately named the Crimson Bagger, owned by Brian’s friend Jerry Thomsen from Mitchell, South Dakota. The success of this initial size was nothing short of epic, with sales skyrocketing.
The first Street Glide Windshield sold in Sturgis 2008
The overwhelming response led to the creation of additional sizes, with an 8.5" and a 3.5" Flare™ Windshield introduced in 2009. These new sizes were met with equal enthusiasm, cementing the Flare™ Windshield’s place in the market. We have continued to innovate, adapting to the evolving design of Harley-Davidson fairings from the five-bolt configuration to the current bracket systems, ensuring that the FLH Flare™ Windshield would always be compatible with the latest models.
From 1998 to 2024, Harley-Davidson's fairing designs evolved significantly, and we have kept pace with every change. Whether it was adjusting the windshield to fit new fairing designs or responding to customer advice and opinions for better performance, the team remained at the forefront.
But the story doesn’t end there, in 2020, Brian received a special request from Shannon Pranschke of Gjerde Production Painting to create a Lime Green colored shield for his Nardo Grey Road Glide. Though initially intended as a one-off piece, this request marked a pivotal moment. Two years later, artist and stylist, Ray Drea, asked Brian for a fluorescent orange shield, sparking a conversation between the two about bringing a new niche to the market. Brian respected Ray’s opinion on the matter considering his industry knowledge, beautiful brain and well-known talent for working with colors and having an eye for style.
This is when Brian and the team looked into their options, later introducing a line of “ice” kolors were born- a range of eye-catching fluorescent windshields Brian admitted, “To be honest, I had no idea how complimentary people would be with the colors. I totally misunderstood this market. I was quite shocked. You expected the standout paint jobs to have and want a colored windshield to complement their paint, but it was more than just that. Here are die-heart, blacked-out everything type of riders, rockin' a fluorescent green ice shield!”
The success of the ice line led to the development of a collection of more traditional colors such as red, blue, purple and more. These shields resonated with riders as many began painting their bikes to match the windshield, a testament to the influence of Klock Werks in the world of custom motorcycles and aftermarket parts!
Klock Werks now offers a range of Flare™ Windshields for Street Glides, available in multiple sizes to accommodate various models and rider preferences. Our windshields are categorized by year groupings: 1996-2013 and 2014-2024 with call outs to old and new style fairings. This ensures that riders can find the perfect fit for their specific bike. Additionally, we offer a variety of tint options, including dark smoke, tint, clear, and black, as well as a vibrant collection of kolors and our distinctive "ice" series.
To help riders select the correct windshield size, we've created numerous informative videos, available both on our website and YouTube channel. These videos not only guide you through the process of choosing the right size based on your bike model and riding style but also offer step-by-step installation instructions to ensure a seamless fit.
As Harley-Davidson Street Glide fairings and rider preferences evolve, we remain at the forefront, ensuring that our products not only meet the highest standards but also exceed expectations, as we continue to listen and grow with the needs of our customers. The journey of the Flare™ Windshield is far from over, as the future promises even more exciting developments that will continue to shape the world of motorcycling. #getklocked
