anyone install a leather tank panel to replace the plastic factory one? i did but i had to modify it to get the instrument guage gaskrt to sit flush to the tank.

 

That was one of the first things that was replaced. I can't believe they would sell a bike with that crappy piece of plastic right under your nose and in full view of the public eye! No problems though with fitting it to the bike. Had a little problem parting with the money to do it!

 

Im gonna take my leather one off then use body filler to smooooooth the seam down and paint it.

 

Cowboy... your Brave or Crazy!
I hope your just foolin....cuz I think your bs ing this guy!

 

Got rid of that plastic piece of crap real quick.................put on a nice leather one with a pouch for my garage opener. Looks great

 

I bought my bike used...it already had the leather panel on it.

I don't see why they ship them with that crappy plastic piece...well, except for getting more of our money for the replacement part...

 

How DO those things go on and off anyway. Is it hard?

 

I took off that ugly piece of crap and made my own out of some diamond plate I had lying around.

 

no, it wasn't hard but like i said i had to modify it a bit so the instrument cluster would seat to the tank. the leather wrap on the edges was so thick the cluster gasket sat a 1/4 inch off the tank. I removed the nut that holds the guage, slipped it off and centered the new panel. I TIGHTEN THE GUAGE down to leave an imprint in the panel, removed it again and used shears to trim the edges of the leather panel. I then applied loctite and reseated the guage cluster and tightened it down. turned out great but i don't think i should have had to do anything. i also replaced the crappy looking fender skirt with a chrome one which looks 100% better.

 

I always make my own outta scrap leather I pick up from Tandy Leather. Piece & dye usually run me about $5.