Custom console- will plastic work?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: Portland, ME
Custom console- will plastic work?
Hello all,
Since Harley refuses to make a low profile dash option for the 2011+ Softails, I am looking into custom options. I have a mental picture of what I am looking for, and I talked to a custom metal guy here, but I am thinking it's going to be way out of my price range.
So a friend of mine works on CAD and can make an accurate digital version of what I am looking for and send it out to be cast, possibly in metal, but also, I would imagine, in some sort of plastic or fiberglass type material.
My plan is to use the stock speedo and other internals from the stock dash, like the ignitions switch, idiot lights, etc.
Is anyone here familiar with this type of thing? Is there a synthetic material that, when painted, would work well and be durable enough?
Thanks!
Since Harley refuses to make a low profile dash option for the 2011+ Softails, I am looking into custom options. I have a mental picture of what I am looking for, and I talked to a custom metal guy here, but I am thinking it's going to be way out of my price range.
So a friend of mine works on CAD and can make an accurate digital version of what I am looking for and send it out to be cast, possibly in metal, but also, I would imagine, in some sort of plastic or fiberglass type material.
My plan is to use the stock speedo and other internals from the stock dash, like the ignitions switch, idiot lights, etc.
Is anyone here familiar with this type of thing? Is there a synthetic material that, when painted, would work well and be durable enough?
Thanks!
Not real sure what you are looking to do but, Kydex is a very cool product and very strong..Good luck.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: near Chitcago
I could be mistaken, but I believe pre-2011 consoles will fit...the only difference being that the console will have a hole on the side to accommodate the odometer button.
I used a console designated for '00-'10 (#71202-03) on my 2011 and put a chrome plug in the hole.
I used a console designated for '00-'10 (#71202-03) on my 2011 and put a chrome plug in the hole.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Albany, NY
You have a pic of that you could post?
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: near Chitcago
I don't have pics of mine and my bike's in the shop, but this thread has some good shots of that console. You can see the odometer button on the left. It doesn't come with the speedo visor...cpc added that to his.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/8496644-post1.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/8496644-post1.html
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
They now have resin's you can even chrome!! The auto industry is a great example. Most grill's now on trucks are plastics that have been chromed. I work in a lab for the largest plastic manufacture in the world. I am not one to put plastic on my bike but they now have plastic's for just about anything you want or need.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 174
Likes: 9
I don't have pics of mine and my bike's in the shop, but this thread has some good shots of that console. You can see the odometer button on the left. It doesn't come with the speedo visor...cpc added that to his.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/8496644-post1.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/8496644-post1.html
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 4
Hello all,
Since Harley refuses to make a low profile dash option for the 2011+ Softails, I am looking into custom options. I have a mental picture of what I am looking for, and I talked to a custom metal guy here, but I am thinking it's going to be way out of my price range.
So a friend of mine works on CAD and can make an accurate digital version of what I am looking for and send it out to be cast, possibly in metal, but also, I would imagine, in some sort of plastic or fiberglass type material.
My plan is to use the stock speedo and other internals from the stock dash, like the ignitions switch, idiot lights, etc.
Is anyone here familiar with this type of thing? Is there a synthetic material that, when painted, would work well and be durable enough?
Thanks!
Since Harley refuses to make a low profile dash option for the 2011+ Softails, I am looking into custom options. I have a mental picture of what I am looking for, and I talked to a custom metal guy here, but I am thinking it's going to be way out of my price range.
So a friend of mine works on CAD and can make an accurate digital version of what I am looking for and send it out to be cast, possibly in metal, but also, I would imagine, in some sort of plastic or fiberglass type material.
My plan is to use the stock speedo and other internals from the stock dash, like the ignitions switch, idiot lights, etc.
Is anyone here familiar with this type of thing? Is there a synthetic material that, when painted, would work well and be durable enough?
Thanks!
Some of the SLA materials (plastics) may be rugged but they may not withstand the UV...........sintered metal however many be strong enough to handle the weather and day to day handling.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: Portland, ME
As for the consoles from pre-2011 fitting, I imagine they would fit the tank, but someone here on the forums said that the wiring design is incompatible.
My buddy does CAD, so I will see how that goes.