BFF Accessories

The BFF can now supply a replacement screen and a backrest for the CN250 / Helix. The screen has been produced by Sprint Engineering and is UKP80.

The backrest is being produced by another BFF member and is likely to be around UKP70.

The rest is attached through the seat to a plate bolted underneath it. It's adjustable for height and rake.

If your interested in any of these, there are more pictures here, or get in touch with Ian at:-

Best Feet Forwards
c/o Ian Leslie
33 Gravel Hill
Ludlow
SY8 1QR
Tel & fax 01584-874-867.

You can get the backrest direct from:-
Leo Harris
25 Central Avenue,
Birmingham B31 4HT
UK
Phone: +44 121 604 5482
Leo has the rest made up to order but it is not a business activity.

The Screen is available direct from Sprint:-
Sprint Manufacturing
Upton Lovell,
Warminster
Wiltshire
UK
Phone: +44 1985 50821
Fax: +44 1985 50963.

The final version has a lower of GRP for lightness and rigidity, and a duet to direct air behind the screen to reduce top-edge eddying. The manufacturers cut the perspex (plexiglas) upper to individual size. You have to state your vertical measurement to top of head from sitting position back against a wall. Price around £80 (Check!) plus shipping cost. SPRINT Mfg, being a business, can accept payment by Credit Card.

Here's Ian's covering letter:-

This is my report to those of you who have expressed specific interest in an improved screen. Ever since I started to hear from other CN250 riders the unsatisfactory OE screen has been without doubt the most often mentioned complaint. It certainly does cause turbulence that affects the steadiness of the bike at speed and makes it most uncomfortable, not to say frightening, at speed in cross-winds.

One member, Ron Mouat (regularly crossing the Forth Bridge!) went so far as to cut off most of the screen, preferring direct exposure to the wind to this turbulence.

A replacement screen is offered by GIVI; this is wider and higher but still straight up; it increases protection but also increases turbulence.

I have always put protection above considerations of aerodynamics but had never before had a screen that was nearly vertical and a couple of feet away from my face. I had been used to fairings, e.g. by Craven or Rickman or that on the original BMW R1OORT, and had never noticed any adverse effect on handling. My primary consideration in commissioning a better screen for CN250 was to improve the personal weather protection and leave the rider in stiller air. The dramatic effect it has on steadiness was a surprise but I cannot emphasise too much how radical that effect is.

I delayed writing this because I am well aware of the self-delusion possible when one has taken a lot of trouble over an improvement and will naturally want to believe it is successful. But now I have ridden with it every day since I brought it home a fortnight ago and I am confident the improvement really is there. I have also got my son Julian to ride it. His other bike is an R1100RT and also he is invariably sceptical about anything I do - but he confirmed my opinion of the new CN250 screen.

The handling of our beloved mount has often been described with words like "wobbling". My own term for its behaviour at speed was "shimmying". I had ascribed this to the steering geometry, small wheels, suspension, I knew not what nor felt able to analyse it. I came to realise that it was not in fact unsafe and that the right response was to hold the bars more lightly rathefr~try and fight the meandering: the bike still went where it was pointed. But no way could I call the sensation comfortable or confidence-promoting! It has transpired that the real cause of the shimmying was the turbulence from the screen.

As I said in my previous notes: returning in the same stiff gale that had been blowing when I went to get the screen fitted, I rode 20 mph faster just because it felt OK now. After a fortnight of riding on many different sorts of roads, in many different wind speeds and directions, it still does.

I enclose a photo of my screen (the prototype). It does not keep wind off the upper part of the face but that wind is now a straight draught not a turbulent buffeting, and with a visor down (I always wear an open-face, with spectacles) I am perfectly happy. After the trouble already taken by Sprint Engineering (of which more later) I cannot at present persuade them to make a new mould to provide a "flip-up" but individuals will no doubt add their own pieces of transparent plastic if they think it worthwhile.

To reach this point has taken well over a year of steady pushing on my part. The essential trouble is the lack of any perception in the UK trade that there will be a market for things to do with this rare and under-esteemed model, so my screen project went again and again to the back while new bits got got made for BMWs, Triumphs and the rest. Then it proved very difficult to fabricate the screen on account of the extreme curvature required. I had decided against anything that would require turning the bars down from their standard position, the screen had to follow the original up to the point where it clears the bars on full left lock before it could tilt back as it should.

My original Honda screen was used as a template for the fixing holes. Because the new screen is in thicker Perspex, the curve followed by the black plastic cover strip is now a wider curve and it will be necessary for you to elongate the bolt-holes in this, but a few minutes with a rat-tail file will suffice for this.

The manufacturer is not prepared to make up a stock of screens "on spec" - but the up side is that as he makes them to order he will individualise the height (see below). (I have pestered him so much that he said he only went ahead "because you were so channing every time you chased me." !!! He said if there were no more orders he would write off the costs to experience, he wished he had never said yes.) I believe we shall surprise the maker with the number of orders, and that once a few of us have them we shall be able to sell some to our German counterparts.

If you would like one of these screens please let me know giving a definite commitment. You should then have it within two or three weeks. Exact price not even now certain, but it will not be more than £80. (GIVI screen is more than that, and I don't know the Honda OE spares price.) This will include a small contribution to BFF funds.

You also have to tell me vour sitting height. This is important as the prototype was made for me and I myself sit rather tall and have always had to heighten standard screens. To find yourself looking through this screen would not be good. Please sit against a wall, your bottom right back against the wall and your spine and neck straight, and get someone else to place a book or ruler horizontally on top of your head and measure the height from the floor. (I know that isn't how you sit on the bike, but it will give the necessary comparison with my own sitting height measured the same way.)

I look forward to hearing from you - a.s.a.p., please.

Good riding! Best wishes.

Ian