Homemade modifications

[motojeff]

I fabricated some accessories for my 12GS and thought someone on here would be interested in viewing them.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69867&highlight=jstdoit

[bearsfolks]

You do nice work!

[motojeff]

This was the headlight protector mod for the 12GS.

Items needed: one sheet of plexiglass big enough to cover your headlight. About 12 inches by 16 inches will do it. A marker to outline the headlight. A bandsaw to cut the plexiglass. An oven. 3M dual lock (i got mine at radio shack for 3.99). Be sure to remove protective film.

Place the plexiglass on a metal pan in the oven. Set the temp at 350. Let it sit in the oven for about 3 minutes. Just watch it and you can see when it starts to droop.

I took it out of the oven using oven mits, carried out the motorcycle with great speed and pressed the warm plexiglass up against my headlight to form the curvature of the headlamp. In a minute or two the plexiglass cooled and retained its shape. I then outlined the headlight with a sharpy marker.

I then used the bandsaw to cut the shape out of the molded plexiglass sheet. Sanded the edges with sandpaper and then cleaned the plastic with plexus.

Using the 3M dual locks, which I cut into half inch squares, I placed them strategically on the headlight. The dual locks were pressed together when placed on the headlight. This allows you to just peel the backing off the piece that sticks to your plastic so you can hold your plexiglass molded piece up to your headlight and press it on straight.

Jeff's homemade headlight protector. I have $4.38 invested since someone gave me the plexiglass for a birdhouse about three years ago.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/21/21623/folders/9284/1432409Headlightprotector1.JPG
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/21/21623/folders/9284/1432411Headlightprotector2.JPG

[Cliffy777]

nice looking work.

[BradfordBenn]

Cool.

[Ghostryder]

Nice work!!!!! :thumb :thumb

[motojeff]

Thanks All!

"Low funds" is the mother of invention, and I just like making things.

[CHPBike]

That's inspirational! :thumb

Scott

[boofer]

My brother in law needs a windshield for a luftmeister on his R100s. Do you think using your meathod would be too difficult?

Tim

[jetdriverfla]

My brother in law needs a windshield for a luftmeister on his R100s. Do you think using your meathod would be too difficult?

Tim

Boofer, you might want to refer your brother in law to
www.bikescreen.com I fairly sure they sell Luftmeister replacement screens
and (or) can make one to order.

[NYRIDER]

Hi,
:type
I've been exploring an extention to my windscreen as well and appreciate the craftsmanship and effort that you put into your work. I do share the feeling that the fasteners used take away from your overall design (Duallok, is also available in black) . Another option (if u are OK with drilling your part), fasten it with bolts - thru holes placed in your OEM screen (a flanged nut and rubber washers to receive it behind). Obtain rubber grommets (like those used on BMW roadster windscreens). It would serve to distribute stress from fastener and act as a vibration isolator (security against movement potentially caused by strong winds).

Casual flame polishing might yellow plexi(unless u have access to Oxy/hydrogen rig), but scraping the edge is a clean and preferred solution(acrylic readily shows “stress crazing” and has a quality known as “Notch Sensitivity”, basically under flex situations, physical irregularity in the surface potentially initiate breakage). Poly carbonate sheet (brand name like Lexan) is a great substitute for acrylic(used by BMW on their screen). The stuff is damn near impossible to break and forgiving to machine processing.

I was wondering if working with a slightly thinner sheet of plastic(polycarb) might offer a solution other might try. Just bolting it to original screen might persuade it to conform to the original windscreen shape thereby creating a form that would provide structure without thermoforming.

My 2¢ at bargain rate!

[amishjim]

The cool thing about most MC riders is their ingenuity. There should be a section just for Home-made/Frugal/Budget/I'm-so-crafty-I-can-do-it-myself-and-save-100-dollars solutions. I'm constructing a new GPS mount for my 1200GS. The OEM one that mounts to the handlebars is too low, it blocks a tank bag and lowers my eyes too far from the road for my liking. I am going to mount it above instrument cluster, inside the windshield. Anyway, thanks to all creative types that share their wisdom and creativity with us uninspired types :D

[motojeff]

The cool thing about most MC riders is their ingenuity. There should be a section just for Home-made/Frugal/Budget/I'm-so-crafty-I-can-do-it-myself-and-save-100-dollars solutions. I'm constructing a new GPS mount for my 1200GS. The OEM one that mounts to the handlebars is too low, it blocks a tank bag and lowers my eyes too far from the road for my liking. I am going to mount it above instrument cluster, inside the windshield. Anyway, thanks to all creative types that share their wisdom and creativity with us uninspired types :D

Thanks for the kind words. I also appreciate the folks who post their ideas on the forum. It helps spark the creativity. I am currently trying to design a tail rack cover to give my rack a smoother surface when I use the passenger backrest. My backrest uses a knob to hold the backrest in place. I want something to build up the rack to the same height as the knob. When packing on the rack it would give me a level surface. Hard black rubber about 1.5 inches thick would be perfect. I don't know where to get that stuff.

[YB in IN]

Thanks for the kind words. I also appreciate the folks who post their ideas on the forum. It helps spark the creativity. I am currently trying to design a tail rack cover to give my rack a smoother surface when I use the passenger backrest. My backrest uses a knob to hold the backrest in place. I want something to build up the rack to the same height as the knob. When packing on the rack it would give me a level surface. Hard black rubber about 1.5 inches thick would be perfect. I don't know where to get that stuff.

Restaurants use mats in ther kitchens that might work. Usually they have something of a texture for traction, and have holes in them for food and liquids to go through. They are about a 1/2 inch thick, so you may be able to buy one and then cut it to size and glue it together. Check with a restaurant supply house, or the company (usually Cintas or somebody like that) in you're area who provides the rugs that businesses use for their entranceways.