| Author | Message | ||
     Metaldude |
I finished my home-made lowers project. Trying to make something like the Memphis Shades product at a lower price, in black color and in a shape that I thought matched the look of the bike better. It was a bit of work. The worst was when I scratched the polycarbonate only to spend the next day sanding and buffing - only to still have a "smoky" look. But all told, the job was about $40 including tools and sandpaper. I started with a 12" x 12" sheet of black Delrin from http://www.plasticsintl.com/ They're a local firm for me but also take internet orders. I got .250 thickness which was way overboard. You could probably do fine with .187 thickness. To make the professional looking beveled edge, I bought this tool from Sky Geek http://www.skygeek.com/ats-ces01.html The brackets I made from aluminum stock from Home Depot. Very easy to cut, bend and drill. I took it on a 120 mile trip yesterday. At 60mph, wind noise is almost non-existant. But at 75-80mph, the benefit is much more pronounced. I used to hate cruising at those speeds as the noise in my helmet was very bad. Now, it's quite tollerable. I can't wait to take some long trips in the spring! | ||
| Metaldude |
 | ||
| Metaldude |
 | ||
| Metaldude |
 I was bumbed about the scratches. Maybe another winter project to sand them out. | ||
| Bobbuell1961 |
Very nice! | ||
| Mnrider |
Dude-Sweet! | ||
| 7873jake |
+1 on the 'nice'! The flat bar stock brackets allow for some angle adjustment, yes? You can tuck them in a little or tilt them out a tad to adjust for wind flow? | ||
| Metaldude |
Correct, they'd be easy to tilt back at a slight angle to make it look less boxy. Or for completely functional reasons like adjusting the air flow. I went rather conservative by setting them at 90 degrees at first as there's no way they'll collide with the left side scoop. But I might tilt them back a bit more to see how I like it. | ||
| Sperz1 |
Give us a report on how it affects buffeting if ya get a chance. | ||
| Eulysses |
Very nice Metaldude. I was staring at my little kit of Lexan and radiator clamps the other day (which led me to order the Memphis Shades) and I was thinking about just tucking the 8th inch lexan under the fly screen screws and cut out a notch for the signal light. That occur to you (sorry to bring it up at this point if you did not) I know you have some thick stuff there so would not be too good under the flyscreen. Nice job. All done and no buffeting anymore! | ||
| Metaldude |
Eulysses, I had the same thoughts as you about just putting some clear polycarbonate under the fly screen. That approach would have been very quick and painless. But aesthetically, I didn't like the clear look. I wanted it to be solid black to match the rest of the bike. Same reason why I waffled on the Memphis shades - I couldn't find them in solid black. The wind noise is greatly reduced in my helmet at 70-80mph, which is what I was obsessed at reducing. I still get blasted at shoulder and arm level but that's OK by me. In warmer weather, it will be appreciated. | ||
| Crackhead |
looks like a spitting lizard. like the Gieco temp form the commercial. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/363977518_e3743 336e7.jpg how do you link to pictures on this board? (Message edited by crackhead on November 30, 2009) | ||
| Neurorider |
Metaldude, nice job! I've been thinking of doing exactly what you did. I'm glad to hear it works! Here's something I use that you might find useful: http://www.novuspolish.com/ works great. doc | ||
| Eulysses |
Crackhead...matching the color would help...just a bigger fairing. Our faster orange would be tough...paint the backside of the clear with Testor Grabber Orange might be a way. | ||
| Crackhead |
i like the look, it make the Uly look even more serious about being pratical |
