Aligning new badges - ideas?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
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Aligning new badges - ideas?
I bought these new tank badges weeks ago. I haven't been able to talk myself into changing them yet. I've had no problem changing a lot of other things but, for some reason, I feel like if I change these, I'm sort of robbing my bike's identity. Since the stock ones are metal (or appear to be)though, I shouldn't mess them up taking them off which means they could always be put back on. Pictured below are the ones I bought to replace the stock ones with. I'm not asking for opinions because I know they will vary but, to each his own right? They appear to be similar in style and size to the ones on the Fat Bob without the "letter opener". I'm fairly comfortable removing the old badges and cleaning up the goo. But, does anyone have any recommendations on a good way to align the new ones so that they are as symetrical as possible and about the right location on the tank? Is there anything I can use as a reference point such as the gas cap on one side and the fuel gauge on the other and then measure from there, etc? Or is it just a thing that should be eyeballed? I'm planning on putting it on the lift to get the bike straight up so that should make it easier even if I have to eyeball it.
[IMG]local://upfiles/41150/466362698E454E1BB20B488A2AAA0E01.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/41150/466362698E454E1BB20B488A2AAA0E01.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Underworld, PA
RE: Aligning new badges - ideas?
I put the same ones on my old FDX.
Used string to lay it all out (around - over) and marked the tank with blue painters tape in key points.
Run string from rear tank mounting bolt to the front mounting bolt for example. Worked out well.
Used string to lay it all out (around - over) and marked the tank with blue painters tape in key points.
Run string from rear tank mounting bolt to the front mounting bolt for example. Worked out well.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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RE: Aligning new badges - ideas?
Any points of reference to be aware of? Like, should the center of the badge be lined up with the center point of the tank along a line such as between the gas cap and the bottom of the tank, etc. Things like that? Or, could I eyeball one side and then take measurements to use on the other to make sure they match?
I never gave this any thought until I finally decided to do this. I guess that is obvious.
I never gave this any thought until I finally decided to do this. I guess that is obvious.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Underworld, PA
RE: Aligning new badges - ideas?
lol no worries.
Just make sure the bike is strait and up right.
I folded over some of the painters tape and stuck it to the back of one. Then just kept moving it and looking at it from all dif points till i was happy. Then started with the string and tape to mark up the tank. But if the bike is not up right and level - what you like on one side will not look the same on the other. Know what I am trying to say????
Just make sure the bike is strait and up right.
I folded over some of the painters tape and stuck it to the back of one. Then just kept moving it and looking at it from all dif points till i was happy. Then started with the string and tape to mark up the tank. But if the bike is not up right and level - what you like on one side will not look the same on the other. Know what I am trying to say????
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
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RE: Aligning new badges - ideas?
ORIGINAL: subculture08
lol no worries.
Just make sure the bike is strait and up right.
I folded over some of the painters tape and stuck it to the back of one. Then just kept moving it and looking at it from all dif points till i was happy. Then started with the string and tape to mark up the tank. But if the bike is not up right and level - what you like on one side will not look the same on the other. Know what I am trying to say????
lol no worries.
Just make sure the bike is strait and up right.
I folded over some of the painters tape and stuck it to the back of one. Then just kept moving it and looking at it from all dif points till i was happy. Then started with the string and tape to mark up the tank. But if the bike is not up right and level - what you like on one side will not look the same on the other. Know what I am trying to say????
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
RE: Aligning new badges - ideas?
I think the "square" ones like yours look best aligned to the ground instead of the tank like the letter openers.
Sub has good tips!
Run the string between front and rear mounts to establish a ref line.
Slide the badges along the line to see where you think they look best as far as front to rear.
If you want to align them to the ground, just use a small level and establish the top line with a piece of tape.
Tape 'em down in a few positions before you commit!
I think they're gonna look great - the std bob badges don't have enough of a ball-sy look, to me anyway. Too much like the custom - not that it's a bad thing, LOL
Sub has good tips!
Run the string between front and rear mounts to establish a ref line.
Slide the badges along the line to see where you think they look best as far as front to rear.
If you want to align them to the ground, just use a small level and establish the top line with a piece of tape.
Tape 'em down in a few positions before you commit!
I think they're gonna look great - the std bob badges don't have enough of a ball-sy look, to me anyway. Too much like the custom - not that it's a bad thing, LOL
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 1
From: Backwoods of NH
RE: Aligning new badges - ideas?
All the above are good ideas, but don't sweat it if they're off a hair, tough to see both at once! LOL! I used 3M doubled sided trim tape and once it's on it's on!
String or cloth measuring tape from front to back and gas cap down were the most crucial I found, but eyeballing will get you close. You might try a little piece of Scotch double sided tape for initial placement then marking position you like w/masking tape, before permanently peeling off the emblems backing paper.
String or cloth measuring tape from front to back and gas cap down were the most crucial I found, but eyeballing will get you close. You might try a little piece of Scotch double sided tape for initial placement then marking position you like w/masking tape, before permanently peeling off the emblems backing paper.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
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RE: Aligning new badges - ideas?
Mark the locationof your current badge both vertically and horizontally wiith tape at the front end of the tank. The badge you have isoriented more to the upper front part of the tank. Good tip using tape to hold it in place until the final location is determined.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa, Ca
RE: Aligning new badges - ideas?
Providing your stock badges are on straight: Iused masking tapeto mark the center lines when my stock badges were on. After removing them I just centered the new badges based on the tape.