Made one shield at a time
From the first shields in the garage to today, the work is done by hand, start to finish: cut, sanded and polished, hand formed, inspected and hand wrapped before it ships.
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FREEDOM SHIELDS · HANDMADE IN PINE, COLORADO
How Your Freedom Shield Is Made
A windshield is something you look through for hundreds of miles. Freedom Shields are 30% thicker than the stock shield, so they feel solid at highway speed, and every one is hand formed and inspected to keep the view clear. Here is how that clarity is built in, and how to choose the right shield for your bike.
Family owned since 2010 · Hand made start to finish · Inspected before it ships
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SHIELD
John and Deb started it in their garage. Every shield is still made by hand.
Freedom Shields began in 2010, when John and Deb started making windshields in their garage. Today John Lauk is president of the company, and it is still a small, family-owned shop in Pine, Colorado, where every shield is hand made in the USA.
- Started in a garage in 2010
- John Lauk, president
- Hand made in the USA
- Every shield inspected
- 5-year warranty
Over 200 templates
There is a template for every shield type and every size, over 200 in all. Your shield starts from the one made for your bike and your height, not a one-size blank.
Backed after it ships
Every shield is inspected before it leaves and wrapped in film so you can test-ride it on your bike. Freedom Shields backs each windshield with a 5-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship.
“John and his staff are the epitome of how and what customer service should look and feel like. Don't overthink the decision, touch base with John and get your shield.”
WHY DREADED IRON STANDS BEHIND THEM
We only sell what we would run. Here is how to judge any touring windshield.
You look through a windshield for every mile you ride, so it is worth choosing slowly. These are the four questions we ask of any shield, and how a Freedom Shield answers each one.
- 01
Does it stay steady at speed?
Freedom Shields are 30% thicker than stock, in high impact modified acrylic, for less flex at highway speed and in crosswinds.
- 02
Can you forget it is there?
Each shield is hand formed to limit distortion, then inspected for distortion, scratches and dimples before it ships.
- 03
Does it move the air, or just block it?
The AirCurve at the top edge drives the airflow 2–3 inches higher, up and over your helmet instead of into your face.
- 04
Can you get the height right?
Pick your height and tint (Clear, Light Grey, Medium Grey or Dark Grey) with our sizing guide, then test-ride it with the film still on.
The one Rocco runs on his own Street Glide.
Shop Freedom Shields by Bike
Almost 10 years behind the same Freedom Shield is why it is the windshield we stand behind. Built in 3–12 business days, made for your order, and shipped free from Dreaded Iron.
WHAT RIDERS SAY
From riders who run one.
Word for word, from Dreaded Iron customers and Freedom Shields riders.
“Love the product and shopping experience. Great customer service. Packaged great to avoid damage and the windshield itself is quality built.”
Street Glide Windshield 2024-Present
“I am very happy. It moves the wind just as described. The wider width does not affect visibility, and distortion is not a problem. Very nice!”
Tri Glide Trike Windshield 2014-2025
“John and the team cared more about making sure I had my windshield in time for my trip than they did about the missing windshield.”
Freedom Shields customer testimonial
Dreaded Iron reviews are from verified buyers on our Freedom Shields product pages.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Why do Freedom Shields ride so solid and look so clear?
Two things work together. The shield is thick: Freedom Shields makes it from premium high impact modified acrylic, 30% thicker than the stock shield, for more stability and added strength. That means less flex at highway speeds and in crosswinds. And it is hand formed: Freedom Shields heats each shield and forms it by hand while watching the temperature and the pressure, so they limit distortions. Then every shield is inspected for distortion, scratches, dimples or any other imperfection before it is wrapped and shipped. Freedom Shields’ own promise is “crystal clear optical clarity, no distortion,” from a small family-owned shop in Pine, Colorado.
WHY IT MATTERS ON A TOURING BIKE
Thick enough to stay steady. Clear enough to forget it’s there.
On a long day in the saddle, a shield that flexes, shakes your helmet or bends the view through it wears you out. These are the three things to look for, and how Freedom Shields builds each one in.
Less flex at highway speed
Premium high impact modified acrylic, 30% thicker than the stock shield and other shields for more stability and added strength. On the bike, that means less flex at speed and in crosswinds and a more solid feel.
A distortion-free view
Clarity is decided when the shield is formed. Each one is heated and formed by hand while the temperature and pressure are watched to limit distortions, and then inspected for distortion, scratches and dimples before it can ship.
Cleaner air at your helmet
The AirCurve at the top of the shield drives the airflow higher, for cleaner air with less wind noise and turbulence for the rider and passenger. The right height does the rest.
THE AIRCURVE
The curve at the top is what manages the wind.
The AirCurve is a recurve, an upward flip, at the top edge of the shield. Freedom Shields pairs it with a shape that is slightly wider on the upper half, so the wind is deflected wider as well as higher.
- 01
Lifts the air higher
The recurve drives the airflow 2–3 inches higher than a standard windshield, up and over the rider instead of into your face.
- 02
Cleaner, quieter air
Cleaner airflow means less wind noise and turbulence for the rider and passenger. The wider upper half spreads that deflection for a quieter, more comfortable ride.
- 03
A better view over the top
Because the air is lifted higher, you can run a shorter shield for a better view over the top without giving up comfort, or the same size or taller for added comfort. It also helps stabilize the bike at higher speeds.
Honest expectation: the AirCurve dramatically reduces buffeting by improving airflow, but final results depend on rider height, seat and riding position. That is why choosing the right height matters.
INSIDE THE BUILD
Five steps. Every shield made by hand, start to finish.
Freedom Shields keeps its shop floor private, so here is the order of work as they describe it, from a flat sheet to a boxed shield at your door.
- 01
Cut, sanded, polished, drilled
Each shield is cut from a flat sheet using one of over 200 templates, one for every shield type and size. The edges are hand sanded and polished and the mounting holes drilled.
- 02
Heated and hand formed
The shield is heated and formed by hand while the temperature and pressure are watched, so distortions are limited. Hand forming gives control over how each shield turns out.
- 03
Final inspection
Every shield is checked for distortion, scratches, dimples or any imperfection that might hold it back.
- 04
Hand wrapped in film
Shields that pass are hand wrapped in protective film. It protects the shield in shipping and lets you mount it for a quick test ride.
- 05
Boxed and shipped
The finished shield is boxed up and shipped. Free shipping on your Freedom Shield from Dreaded Iron.
THE BUILD-TIME QUESTION
Why is my shield built in 3–12 business days?
Because it is made for your order, by hand. Freedom Shields is a small family-owned business: three owners and six employees, each with the company four or more years. Working by hand, they ship about 30–50 shields a day. Your Freedom Shield is built in 3–12 business days; carrier travel comes after that.
SINCE 2010
Started in a garage
John and Deb started Freedom Shields in their garage, making shields for the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide.
30–50 A DAY
Small-batch output
That is the daily range shipped out of the Pine, Colorado shop. Every one is still made by hand.
22+ HARLEY · 10 INDIAN
Shield types today
Freedom Shields now makes over 22 shield types for Harley-Davidson bikes and 10 for Indian Motorcycle bikes.
FROM THE OWNER
“I’ve run a Freedom Shields 8-inch medium tint on my 2018 Street Glide for almost 10 years. That’s a long time behind one windshield. It’s the one I trust when the miles get long. Freedom Shields’ attention to perfection and passion for motorcycle riders is why I will only run their windshield.”
HOW TO CHOOSE
Pick the height first. Then the tint.
Height determines everything: too short means constant buffeting, too tall means looking through the shield. Tint is mostly about the look and glare; it does not change fit or airflow.
Look over the shield
Most riders want to look over the windshield, not through it. On most Freedom Shields (Street Glide, Road Glide, Electra Glide, Ultra and trikes), you measure from the top of the dash: sit in your normal riding position, hold a level straight out from the tip of your nose over the dash, and measure up from the dash to it. Match that number to the height chart on your bike's product page. That puts the top edge about level with the tip of your nose. Road King, Heritage and Deadwood shields measure from the top of the headlight cutout to the top edge instead. Each Freedom Shields product page has the measuring steps for that model. Long-distance touring riders, or riders carrying a passenger, usually go a bit taller.
Find your bike's Freedom Shields page → Freedom Shields sizing guide →Match the tint to when you ride
Clear: best visibility at night, in rain and on long multi-day rides. Light Grey: takes the edge off glare and stays easy to see through. Medium Grey: cuts daytime glare and still looks clean; the tint our riders order most. Dark Grey: the darkest look and most glare cut; best if you ride mostly in daylight and look over the shield.
If you’re unsure, start with Medium Grey.Test it with the film on. Your shield ships with protective film on it. Leave the film on for your test ride. If the height isn’t right, contact us before you take the film off; the shield must still have its protective film on to be exchanged or returned. Return policy
QUICK ANSWERS
Questions before you order
Where are Freedom Shields made?
In Pine, Colorado, a little mountain community, by a family-owned team. John and Deb started the company in their garage in 2010. Freedom Shields describes its shields as hand made in the USA.
Are they really made by hand?
Yes. Freedom Shields hand makes each shield from start to finish: cut, hand sanded and polished, drilled, heated and hand formed, inspected, and hand wrapped before it is boxed.
What are Freedom Shields made of?
Premium high impact modified acrylic, 30% thicker than the stock shield. Freedom Shields says it is very durable, the same type of material used around hockey rinks.
Will it completely eliminate buffeting?
It dramatically reduces it by improving airflow, but final results depend on rider height, seat and riding position. Choosing the right height is the biggest factor.
Can I test ride it?
Yes. Leave the protective film on for your test ride so it stays eligible for exchange. If the height isn’t right, contact us before you take the film off.
How long until it ships?
Your shield is built to order in 3–12 business days, then shipped. Free shipping.
SHOP BY MOTORCYCLE
Find the Freedom Shield made for your bike
Check the year and exact fitment on the product page, then choose your height and tint.
STREET GLIDE · ULTRA · ELECTRA GLIDEBatwing Windshields →
ROAD GLIDERoad Glide Windshields →
ROAD KINGRoad King Windshield →
TRI GLIDE · FREEWHEELER · TRIKESTrike Windshields →
HERITAGE 2018–2026Heritage Windshield →
DEADWOODDeadwood Windshield →
Riding a 2000–2017 Heritage? See the 2000–2017 Heritage windshield. Or browse every Freedom Shields windshield.
KEEP RESEARCHING
Make the decision with the right context
CONFIDENCE BEFORE COMMITTING
A thick, clear, hand-formed shield. We’ll help you get the height right.
Built in 3–12 business days · Free shipping · Film-on test ride
Built To Order
Made For Your Order
Each shield is hand made from start to finish in Pine, Colorado.
Build Time
3–12 Business Days
Built to order by a small family-owned team, then shipped. Free shipping.
Inspected Before Shipping
Checked For Distortion
Every shield is inspected for distortion, scratches and dimples before it is wrapped.
Need Help?
Talk To A Rider
Questions about height or fitment? Ask us before you buy — we would rather get it right the first time.
