DIY Cheap Mods
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: United Socialist Republic of Massachusetts
After sketching the design (roughly the same as what I'd seen for sale)
I drilled the holes
used a bench grinder to rough grind the shape
then put two bolts to keep them aligned
then finished grinding to final shape
made the inboard end slightly larger than the windshield mount grommet
made the outboard end slightly larger than directional mount
Made sure they were long enough to drop below windshield
used a 4" grinder with a "flap" disc to "ease" the edges
Rattle canned them, first primer, then matte black
Purchased 4 (2 long &2 short) stainless steel button head bolts (I think they were 1/4" longer than original)
I used a small washer between the directional and the bracket, to make sure it didn't get gouged when I rotated it.
Loc-tite on the bolts, made sure they were level Tightened them
Took off the original brackets, and stuck a 1/4"(err 3/8") spacer (rattle canned) on top of the mirror stem, allows the acorn nuts (I can't remember, you might have to pickup a couple Stainless) to tightens up without having to cut the stem.
right now the wires are wire tied out of the way, once I get beach bars on, I'll tuck the excess under the tank.
The brackets I saw on-line, had what looked like a tab on the inboard end, my guess was to keep it from moving, but because of where I was mounting mine, a tab wouldn't help
7000+ miles, and they haven't moved
looks like it wasn't needed
Want more pics, just holler.
Last edited by xraybox; Jun 28, 2011 at 12:54 PM. Reason: Added 2 closeups / note on washer for directional
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Internet
Hello all! I have a small mod im about to make (if it can be called a mod?).
I dont have many windows to ride, so one of my nightly excuses to hop on the scoot is to head to dunkin donuts and pick up 2 large iced coffees for my wife and I.
They have a 4-cup holding eggcarton tray, i tear it in half and lower it into my saddlebag. I then prop up a sweater next to the large cups so they dont spill.
WELL, my idea is to hit the autopart store and pick up either a console type of thing that has 2 deep cup holders in it, or even 2 indevidual cup holders.
If i get the console thing my idea is to dremel off the section that has the cup holders.
If i get 2 individual cup holders, my idea is to find some sort of a spacer, and then maybe just use black electrical tape to join them (the spacer is so they arent too close). Once joined they cannot fall to the side because of either side of the saddlebags, and they cannot fall front/back because of the width of the 2 cups joined together.
The purpose for me doing this is because the eggcarton holders get moist from being left in the bike, and its a pain in the *** to tear them in the store each time, and i look like a weirdo doing it haha.
In total, this mod should be under $20 im thinking.
Thank you. Anyone else go on DD runs? hahaha
I dont have many windows to ride, so one of my nightly excuses to hop on the scoot is to head to dunkin donuts and pick up 2 large iced coffees for my wife and I.
They have a 4-cup holding eggcarton tray, i tear it in half and lower it into my saddlebag. I then prop up a sweater next to the large cups so they dont spill.
WELL, my idea is to hit the autopart store and pick up either a console type of thing that has 2 deep cup holders in it, or even 2 indevidual cup holders.
If i get the console thing my idea is to dremel off the section that has the cup holders.
If i get 2 individual cup holders, my idea is to find some sort of a spacer, and then maybe just use black electrical tape to join them (the spacer is so they arent too close). Once joined they cannot fall to the side because of either side of the saddlebags, and they cannot fall front/back because of the width of the 2 cups joined together.
The purpose for me doing this is because the eggcarton holders get moist from being left in the bike, and its a pain in the *** to tear them in the store each time, and i look like a weirdo doing it haha.
In total, this mod should be under $20 im thinking.
Thank you. Anyone else go on DD runs? hahaha
We made some cheap exhaust for my friend's old shovel out of the piping from a trampoline. Used a hydraulic bender and a plasma cutter, and welded it straight on to the heads.... We were young and stupid but it worked.
Thread Starter
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May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Thaks xraybox, that' should be good enough.
BTW I like that idea of the spacer on the mirror stem.
Its easier and cheaper than trying to find the extra deep Acorn nut I used on mine.
Great job.
rsarno,
Instead of buying a couple of cup holders and cutting them up why not just get a piece of plywood, any thickness will do.
Cut it to fit the inside of the bag, then use a hole saw to cut two holes for the cups and put 4" to 6" long carrage bolts in the four corners with the nice wide domed heads agains't the bottom of the bag (they won't over stress the leather that way) to hold it up off the bottom.
Then you can stand the cups in the holes to hold them securely when you need it.
Then when you don't need it, just tip it on its side so the wood is virtically oriented agains't the inside or outside of the bag.
It shouldn't take up much if any space laying like that, but you'll still have it in there whenever you need it.
If you have some scrap plywood, a can of black spray paint, and carrage bolts laying around it shouldn't cost more than a couple of hours work.
BTW I like that idea of the spacer on the mirror stem.
Its easier and cheaper than trying to find the extra deep Acorn nut I used on mine.
Great job.
rsarno,
Instead of buying a couple of cup holders and cutting them up why not just get a piece of plywood, any thickness will do.
Cut it to fit the inside of the bag, then use a hole saw to cut two holes for the cups and put 4" to 6" long carrage bolts in the four corners with the nice wide domed heads agains't the bottom of the bag (they won't over stress the leather that way) to hold it up off the bottom.
Then you can stand the cups in the holes to hold them securely when you need it.
Then when you don't need it, just tip it on its side so the wood is virtically oriented agains't the inside or outside of the bag.
It shouldn't take up much if any space laying like that, but you'll still have it in there whenever you need it.
If you have some scrap plywood, a can of black spray paint, and carrage bolts laying around it shouldn't cost more than a couple of hours work.
Last edited by In Memoriam Citoriplus; Jun 28, 2011 at 09:29 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 707
Likes: 38
here is my contribution for the thread. this is a free mod if you're already buying cables or in some cases the stock cables may reach. i was switching all my cables to the diamond braid ones so i ordered all of them two inches over stock length then i routed them through the hole in the trees. i was running the stock length clutch cable like this before ordering the diamond braid. thanks for a great thread!
Last edited by 2deuceguy; Jul 1, 2011 at 01:12 PM.
Nice look. Just a suggestion: where the cables touch/rub/vibrate against the risers or bars - eventually it could rub thru to the metal and scratch stuff. I just thought of a simple drop of "Shoe Goo" at the contact point might last forever and be unseen.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 707
Likes: 38
I just checked that out, got about 3 years and over 20,000 on it like that and no noticeable wear. U can see on the cable where it rubs but it's just a 1" dull spot. definitely something to keep my eye on though. Thanks for the suggestion
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Hello all! I have a small mod im about to make (if it can be called a mod?).
I dont have many windows to ride, so one of my nightly excuses to hop on the scoot is to head to dunkin donuts and pick up 2 large iced coffees for my wife and I.
They have a 4-cup holding eggcarton tray, i tear it in half and lower it into my saddlebag. I then prop up a sweater next to the large cups so they dont spill.
WELL, my idea is to hit the autopart store and pick up either a console type of thing that has 2 deep cup holders in it, or even 2 indevidual cup holders.
If i get the console thing my idea is to dremel off the section that has the cup holders.
If i get 2 individual cup holders, my idea is to find some sort of a spacer, and then maybe just use black electrical tape to join them (the spacer is so they arent too close). Once joined they cannot fall to the side because of either side of the saddlebags, and they cannot fall front/back because of the width of the 2 cups joined together.
The purpose for me doing this is because the eggcarton holders get moist from being left in the bike, and its a pain in the *** to tear them in the store each time, and i look like a weirdo doing it haha.
In total, this mod should be under $20 im thinking.
Thank you. Anyone else go on DD runs? hahaha
I dont have many windows to ride, so one of my nightly excuses to hop on the scoot is to head to dunkin donuts and pick up 2 large iced coffees for my wife and I.
They have a 4-cup holding eggcarton tray, i tear it in half and lower it into my saddlebag. I then prop up a sweater next to the large cups so they dont spill.
WELL, my idea is to hit the autopart store and pick up either a console type of thing that has 2 deep cup holders in it, or even 2 indevidual cup holders.
If i get the console thing my idea is to dremel off the section that has the cup holders.
If i get 2 individual cup holders, my idea is to find some sort of a spacer, and then maybe just use black electrical tape to join them (the spacer is so they arent too close). Once joined they cannot fall to the side because of either side of the saddlebags, and they cannot fall front/back because of the width of the 2 cups joined together.
The purpose for me doing this is because the eggcarton holders get moist from being left in the bike, and its a pain in the *** to tear them in the store each time, and i look like a weirdo doing it haha.
In total, this mod should be under $20 im thinking.
Thank you. Anyone else go on DD runs? hahaha
Dan
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane, Australia
thats a lot better idea , mmmmm beer