"DIY MODS" and TRICKS to SAVE $$$$$$
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,282
Likes: 2
From: Northwestern Nevada
Many people are switching to the spun aluminum gauges. The standard has a couple gauges with just a black plug in the hole.For those who are missing a gauge or two from the set here is an idea tochangethat ugly black plug into a spun aluminum look!
Most of us have changed out the timing cover for something else and if not most of the time people will give them away or for little money. The inside ring of the stock timing cover fits almost perfectly inside the plug. All you have to do is trim it down to the inside ring. First, cover the middle with some tape and trim it with a razor blade. I used tin snips to cut the edge offbut it wanted to bend the thin cover so I would try another method of triming it. After the bulk was gone I ground the edge with a bench grinder. To fine tune the edge, I used a drimmel with a grinding stone and finished it off with a file. A little automotive adhesive (3M tape would work) and there you have a spun aluminum plug!
Make sure to position the plug in the fairing first (goes in one way) and then attach the aluminum piece making sure it is straight up and down!
Here is a couple pictures of how it looks both on and off the fairing. Cost $0
Update
Ok, so this didn't match my gauges well.. Stood out like a sore thumb!
I painted it with that flat black BBQ paint and then used thinner on a shop ragand very carfully rubbed the paint off the raised area. Looks alot better for my application
Most of us have changed out the timing cover for something else and if not most of the time people will give them away or for little money. The inside ring of the stock timing cover fits almost perfectly inside the plug. All you have to do is trim it down to the inside ring. First, cover the middle with some tape and trim it with a razor blade. I used tin snips to cut the edge offbut it wanted to bend the thin cover so I would try another method of triming it. After the bulk was gone I ground the edge with a bench grinder. To fine tune the edge, I used a drimmel with a grinding stone and finished it off with a file. A little automotive adhesive (3M tape would work) and there you have a spun aluminum plug!
Make sure to position the plug in the fairing first (goes in one way) and then attach the aluminum piece making sure it is straight up and down!Here is a couple pictures of how it looks both on and off the fairing. Cost $0
Update
Ok, so this didn't match my gauges well.. Stood out like a sore thumb!
I painted it with that flat black BBQ paint and then used thinner on a shop ragand very carfully rubbed the paint off the raised area. Looks alot better for my application
Those look awesome!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 902
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati, OH
Do you have any pics?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
I have some pics of a tour pac I did recently if interested. Same material and method.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...pac-lined.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...pac-lined.html
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Cheap riser mod
Guys, This mods is from another site that helped start several years ago. Started out as a site for VTX's but some of us have HD's too. Heres a link for a great riser mod, the sizes my be different but you'll get the idea. I ran these on my heavily modified VTX with no problems and they looked awesome.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...ocketMod-1.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...ocketMod-1.jpg
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 902
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati, OH
I have some pics of a tour pac I did recently if interested. Same material and method.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...pac-lined.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...pac-lined.html
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Australia
OK, I am the king of morons so it idea of cut to fit wire to work a garage door opener will happen in my next life time. I have a 2011 Road Glide Ultra which happen to come with heat shields by the seats, well there was enough room on the inside of the shield to just velcro my opener to it. Yeah yeah it may get too hot there but I'll see, if so I'll die and come back and wire it to the acc switch, for know the cost was zero and the job was like 3 min max (one sip of the can of beer .
If that doesn't work Ill drill a hole put a switch right on shield and but the opener under the seat, something about drilling holes in my fairing doesn't sit right. Thanks big time for all of the DIY's
If that doesn't work Ill drill a hole put a switch right on shield and but the opener under the seat, something about drilling holes in my fairing doesn't sit right. Thanks big time for all of the DIY's
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 462
From: Arizona
I've drilled into my inner fairing twice. Once below my voltmeter for a garage door opener switch, and once above the speedo & tach for my gps Ram mount.
The holes haven't affected performance or gas mileage yet. The engine doesn't leak and the tires hold air. My gps & door opener are within easy reach. All is good.
