I've been wanting a side mount plate so this weekend I designed and made a protoype of a side mount to try.
Unfortunately due to Marland having large plates and vertical mount not being legal the mount is shown horizontal but will work eqaully well flipping the plate vertical. The problem with side mounts either on the shock bolt or axle is that vibration over time will snap them due ot lack of support. While for the time being I'm not going to use this due to vibration issues when mounted horizontal thanks to my large plate I wanted to post about it to give anyone looking to make one some ideas. I still think mounting this vertical will work and the dual bracket supporting on both sides of the shock helps to solve vibration issues that weaken the mount around the bolt holes.

The prototype is made from 16g sheet metal with 90 deg. bend and curved mounts cut with jigsaw. A flat backing plate is bolted to each side of the mounts that fit around the shock and are secured on each side then the plate/frame is bolted to the backing plate.
Though the 16g might hold itwill likely weaken over time and I think the best choice would be using 10-12g steel (harder to bend) and welding the mounts to a backing plate as well as boxing the middle and adding 45 deg supports to each side would do the trick (I don't weld or have a welder so I've not tried that. I'm a woodworker as well by trade but tinker with making parts with steel and aluminum to suit my needs.

Again this is just a prototype idea that I thought was worth sharing for those do it yourself folks and it was something I just had in my mind and thought I would try.





Fab Kevin www.fabkevin.com I think still makes the very best mounts on the market that will not break and he can custom make one for a reasonable fee for those interested. I aksed him about one for me mounting it on the shock bolt or axle to fit my plate with or without light mount out of 10g steel both bent and welded and his quote was $145. Most of his mounts to fit std. plates start at $80.

 

Great job. Now you got me thinking that I want to do one like that as well. More projects! My work is NEVER done and, I wonder why? In all actuality, heavier steel could make it too heavy and then, you would definatly have a problem with vibration and, possibly a mounting problem.The present gauge looks about right. I think.

 

I think the 16g sheet metal for the bracketswill work great for a vertically mounted smaller plate and reasonate vibes far less as well if you use an alum. backing plate vs. steel due to wgt. and vib. dampening.Mine with the large Maryland4.5" x 8 3/8 plate mounted horiz. at some RPMs and at speeds to 60 vibrated like a tuning fork both visually and if I reach back and felt it (very noticeable)and part of it was the length hanging out there and catching the wind. I might still mount it vertical but with it being technically illegal to mount vert.I did not want a fix-order from the cops after having done all the work making/painting it and wiring up some tag bolt lights. Probably would never get stopped for it unless for some other reason as I see them around from time to time but did not want the bother and many guys around here still run horizontal plates on the side in case of hassle.
I put mine back on the fender for now as a nearly flush mounted laydown.
I'm still kicking round ideas as I want to chop the fender back some and ditch the taillight and run with run/turn/brake turnsignals using the module.

Now a more streamlined version mounted similar to the nightster tag braketbehind the fender strut would be nice too but I've not figured out a way of creatively bending or welding a mount for it. Just not enough time to try stuff even in the winter

 

My only question is what to do about illumination as we need working tag lights in the state of WI?

 

Two questions to ask you captawees: ( 1 ) By moving the plate you expose the color and depth of the fender. Why do you want to remove part of the fender in view of that? 2) Would it be possible to purchase the nightster hardware to put on your existing bike that will hold the plate?

 

Hey Biker trash, lighting is easy by using an illuminated plate frame or in my case I've got a set of these light bolts I need to install:
http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup...All&page=6. Tons of light bolts and plate frames with illumination on the market.

bigtop, the bobbing or chopping of the fender is purely looks. If I do it I may cut it off something like this one:



or leave it near full length and weld up the talight hole or perhaps even mount a plate mount over and weld up the mounting holes.

As for the tag mount the nightster uses, its pretty chunky looking espeically with a big tag on itand if I recall someone said that when they tried getting one out of the parts book even from a discount HDdealer it was like $180-200 but it does in fact bolt right up with some work.

 

what does it look like from the rear? with a tag that large I think I would be dragging it in hard left turns. looks like it sticks way too far out.

 

I see what you mean. That does look good. Too bad the picture is on the side that dosen't show the tag/plate. I do see however, a lot of other modifications. If this is in your future then, keep your day job and, then some. I do like it though.

 

I got a decent looking side mount coming from eBay seller.....Yep, gotta use LED tag bolts, but the wiring is a snap.....Also eliminating main tail light and using turn signals as brake/turn/tails.....Then bobbing the fender and dropping it's azz.

YEHAW!

 

I made one out of a 1$ shelf bracket and a couple of nuts and bolts and drilled the holes I needed. Mounted using the old turn sig holes in the fender and support.