Gauge plug idea (update)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 34
From: Iowa
Gauge plug idea (update)
I added this to the DIY section but thought I would make a post here too!
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 to protect the face. 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. Peel the tape off the front and thenlittle 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
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 to protect the face. 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. Peel the tape off the front and thenlittle 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
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 34
From: Iowa
RE: Gauge plug idea (update)
Cheap, that's me. Have to when you don't have a lot of money. Isn't that the beginnings of a "real" custom? Anyone can bolt parts on and call it a custom.
Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for the feedback!
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