When I first got my 83 the windshield was impossible to see through. I spent most of my maiden voyage half standing in an effort to see the road ahead. The solution I came up with was to remove the shield from the bike and buff it inside and out with a 6" orbital buffer using the buffing compound from a lens clarifying kit I had laying around the garage.
I'm pretty sure that the hard surface they applied in 1983 was largely responsible for the condition of the shield, I buffed all of it off and got awesome results.
As far as scratching goes, I can't really say since I've only rode about 500 miles since restoring the windshield. I haven't noticed any scratching at all but that doesn't mean it won't happen in the future.
I always use rain-x in the aerosol can to clean my windshield because it does a great job without breaking the bank. It also coats the shield so hopefully that will be enough to keep it going for a season or two.
It would be a shame to have to replace it since it's been on there for 31 years.
