Interesting discussion. I didn’t anticipate that there would be any controversy. Maybe it’s not quite as straightforward as I initially thought. I am going to drive the motorcycle for another thousand miles or so with the bottom sealed and then I will reopen the compartment.
I didn’t want to complicate the thread, but the windshield I just installed was the second one. So I have had two chances to inspect the compartment. And so over the last thousand miles, without question, additional crud has definitely been accumulating in the compartment while that gap was present. I promise! My hunch is that if I check it again, there will be less crud in there. But I will post my outcome and be honest! I live near the ocean and so corrosion is a constant nemesis.
To show how more crud is definitely accumulating, the photo on the left was taken in March. The photo on the right was taken in May. 500 miles ridden between photos.
...My thoughts are that the gap is on all the bikes not for letting water out but for letting wind in. If there is wind blowing in there then water will dry out...Some of us use leaf blowers to dry our bikes after washing...same effect!.
I don't see how anyone thinks water can flow up hill to drain out. There are already drain holes in the bottom of the housing where the water goes out. It doesn't need any more drilled.
That opening can't allow anything to drain out being higher than the drain holes. You can see the salt and sand left behind AFTER the water drains out the BOTTOM holes already in the housing, not the opening in the welting that allows it to enter. Putting the seam of the new longer welting at the top stops that. It doesn't let any rain or road grime in.
While installing a new windshield, I noticed water intrusion, dirt and corrosion under the black cowling. Less than 1000 miles! See pics:
Look at all the dirt and sediment:
I noticed a gap in the black rubber seal where the water was obviously entering the compartment. Dealer had no explanation. So I ordered some "V-Gasket" or "Rubber U Channel Edge" for $9.99 on Amazon. Whole installation took 15 minutes!
...My thoughts are that the gap is on all the bikes not for letting water out but for letting wind in. If there is wind blowing in there then water will dry out...Some of us use leaf blowers to dry our bikes after washing...same effect!.
While installing a new windshield, I noticed water intrusion, dirt and corrosion under the black cowling. Less than 1000 miles! See pics:
Look at all the dirt and sediment:
I noticed a gap in the black rubber seal where the water was obviously entering the compartment. Dealer had no explanation. So I ordered some "V-Gasket" or "Rubber U Channel Edge" for $9.99 on Amazon. Whole installation took 15 minutes!
I don't think it was designed to be 100% waterproof. More like, water-resistant. Where you want to close it off, at the bottom, is where excess water would drain. Closing a drain seems would not make anything better.
I don't think it should be 100% waterproof, as all the wire connections are water-resistant, enough.
It is not a jet-ski. The label says, a Rocket, road capable, do not dip in sea water.