Opinions for side panels please

[Kenny]

OK..fitted the Marving silencer to the bike yesterday...sounds gorgeous

Tis a tad wider than standard so I made an alloy side panel. This isn't the final version and the shape matches the standard silencer more than the Marving silencer.

The final ones will be laser cut and folded..and anodised accordingly..then we can all have some

Opinions and modification requests would be greatley appreciated. I found that the best way of fitting a rufty tufty sidepanel is by cable tie..they are cheap and very secure..so maybe the anodised should be black ( with a posh silver version if required - which would look like the engine alloy )

Bearing in mind that a OE side panel ( only supplied in primer ) would be £58 and these would definately ( hopefully ) be cheaper

 

[VAL. H.]

I think you have potentially a good idea there. Ruffty tuffty side panels that can take a beating and at the same time look great, have got to be a good thing. Providing of course the price is at least no more than the originals.

I like the idea of these and would be very interested in buying the finished version.

But:
I think you've missed the target with version 1. My first impression is that it looks like an expensive poorly thought out hash-up. The zip ties might be effective, but they make the whole thing look cheep, and what will you do out on the trail when a fuse blows and no one has any cable ties to cut them off? Ok you could use a screwdriver and make a nice dent in your £35.00 Alli panel?

There is easy access to at least the front mounting, so why not make sue of it? after all it's only a hole with a rubber grommet.
You'll then need to come up with a relatively simple 'L' shaped bracket that fixes to the inside of the frame with a simple bolt/knob.

Also I think you need to have more metal covering the exhaust. What you have is potentially a knife edge against the inside of your thigh if you happen to drop the bike. Don't forget the risk of cutting your fingers off too, when putting the bike on its main stand.

It is in my oppinion important too, to make it universal to fit as many shapes of exhaust as you can. Then we can all have a pair of spanky Ruffty tuffty Alli side panels.

It looks like you could be producing a great product that could be exactly what some airhead riders are looking for in order to preserve their original OE side panels.

Have you thought of producing them is stainless steel? No need to paint them and very easy to keep looking good Bit stronger too.


Sorry but you did ask and I am interested in buying something just like it.


Val.

 

[Kenny]

Thanks Val..need all the input I can get.

Stainless steel is out.....alloy is the way to go..and the hard anodising will look superb.

The one posted above is just a mock up...mainly for that Marving silencer...next version will be for the OE silencer and have more protection for a passenger ........and maybe the bottom part will end in a V as opposed to being flat.

Hell of an engineering project to mount as you say..maybe the front grommet mounting is worth studying..but the rear is to complicated so that would be cable tied. Nothing behind the side panels remember.

Thanks for the reply....main object is a rufty tufty version considerably ( again hopefully ) cheaper than the OE plastic stuff.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

a yes from me as well
same points as Val, make the rear of side panel hook under frame like on the old /6's and /7's if Possible

 

[Kenny]

I'm not old enough to know what a /6 or /7 is !!

I have a masterbater, sorry master welder to call upon....but I really would think a sidepanel laser cut from a single sheet and professionally folded is the way to go...once welding etc etc comes into the fold..then the price starts going up !! Panel has to protect the passengers leg so cant fold behind at the rear !

Proff, want me to muster up a new hip joint to save all that hassle tomorrow....anaodised of course

PS Is this an old Beemer ????

 

[(RIP) Proff]

I'm not old enough to know what a /6 or /7 is !!

I have a masterbater, sorry master welder to call upon....but I really would think a sidepanel laser cut from a single sheet and professionally folded is the way to go...once welding etc etc comes into the fold..then the price starts going up !! Panel has to protect the passengers leg so cant fold behind at the rear !

Proff, want me to muster up a new hip joint to save all that hassle tomorrow....anaodised of course

PS Is this an old Beemer ????

That one is Too old, upside down engine
The Bird and the Car is OK tho'
Slide on from front, but would need two hooks welded on the rear to engage frame or riveted if he can't do dainty stuff

 

[nick.ct]

My 2p, for what its worth. Can you make the panel 'not flat' almost any curve would do, there are no other flat areas on the bike? Cable ties are fine, colour matched to the panel, black's easy. Just that a flat panel, when it catches or reflects the light, looks really naff. Also, while you are at it, can you extend the area further over the silencer so that there is not an edge like a knife blade pointing outwards. I realise it would add a 2nd bend to the already high manufacturing costs

IMHO

Nick

 

[Kenny]

Good points although the left panel is flat on a g/s. I will be making the second version to wrap around the silencer a little more for leg protection. Second bend no problem ( ) so I can do that
Have to look at the overhaul cost of all the requests..probably start to get expensive so project would just be for me
Black anodising with the black cable ties gives me a horn so I may well stay with that. At least the bike will look slim

Anyone else?

 

[brassmonkey001]

What about P clips rather than cable ties? Like TT use for centrestand plates?
What about cutting and bending tabs to hook onto the frame at the normal mounting points?

 

[Voyager]

Good points although the left panel is flat on a g/s. I will be making the second version to wrap around the silencer a little more for leg protection. Second bend no problem ( ) so I can do that
Have to look at the overhaul cost of all the requests..probably start to get expensive so project would just be for me
Black anodising with the black cable ties gives me a horn so I may well stay with that. At least the bike will look slim

Anyone else?

Maybe you could sub-contract it to Civil


Bob.

 

[MattW]

It would require some permanent bracketry on the frame, but how about Dzus fasteners http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=dzus&_sacat=See-All-Categories for that race bike look.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

I,ll put my 1p,s worth in.. ( Then dive for cover)
With such a nice original bike I would not fek it about and so stick with the original panel. If you want to play off road, the bike will go without a side panel if you are worried about losing them . think pd.or if you want one then it doesnt really matter what it looks like. The rough draft you have made will do and that is very easy and cheap. I made this one for my old Triumph trailie for about three farthings.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I made this one for my old Triumph trailie for about three farthings.

Sod the side panels, that bike is gorgeous

Andres

 

[John Armstrong]

Maybe you could sub-contract it to Civil

Bob.

Wondered how long before his name cropped up