Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner Battery Relocation: Plasti-Dip to cover PowderCoat

Like a few others, I have recently gone through the process of relocating my Battery box to underneath the seat. I had been struggling with what to do with some of the mounting tabs that were no longer needed. I found a product called Plasti-Dip which I picked up at the local Home Depot. This is a product that is used to apply a rubberized coating to just about anything. One main application is to dip tool handles to rubberize them.

I found that after cutting off the mounting tabs from the frame and then "painting" on black Plasti-Dip, it blended VERY nicely into the existing powdercoating. It now looks like the area was re-powdercoated. I can't tell yet about the durability, but given what the product is supposed to be used for, I am guessing it will hold up well.

Here is the latest progress. In addition to cutting off the unused mounting tabs, I have also just mounted a set of Norman Hydy M-Bars. Personally, I really like the new, more agressive riding position.

Next up, I need to figure out what to do with the Console...love the idea of getting rid of it and smoothing the tank...hmmm.



Here's a picture of my two bikes together. The new R3 Touring is the reason I am now really working to make the America a much different bike.



Steven

Great idea with the Plasti-Dip, I'm sure it'll be pretty durable. Nice job on the battery move, I'm doing it myself as soon as I can get back to Texas. I wish I had two Triumphs...

I used plasti-dip on my first set of homemade saddlebag brackets. It doesn't handle friction over time. The bags rubbed it off where then contacted the brackets. It should be fine on the frame as you've used it, through.

That is a fantastic looking America!

Soren

That is a cool looking America! Very classic Triumph. I like the new battery location, was it very hard to do?

very nice looking bike - I wouldn't have thought moving the battery box would make such a difference but it does.

did you modify that front fender at all?
Bike looks very cool BTW

Nice lookin America.

Thanks for the comments.

To EG1967, the mod isn't really that difficult. I just followed the advice in This Thread and worked a couple other things out such as being patient with trying to get the wiring to be as neat and hidden as possible. I also needed a carb brace after the mod...my first was a hardware turnbuckle until the stainless carb brace arrived from Brent.

davespain, the only mod to the Front Fender is new paint. I tried to recreate a paint scheme from some Triumphs of the '60s.

Cheers,
Steven

Is that the light bar from JC whitney? and where did you get your new turn signals all around as well? Gonna have to add a picture of your bike to my screen saver for inspiration.

The Light Bar and the Lights are from JC Whitney. It did take a little "tweaking" to make it line up...I think their quality control is lacking because it is off center a bit.

The signals are Kuryakyn Silver Bullets. I purchased them (all four) and the front mounting kit from Mas Cycles. The front turn signal mounting kit is great because it also adds much needed support underneath the JC Whitney Light Bar.

I also did the wiring for the lights per a post on this site. It allows me to have a switch on the console that will turn the lights on with either the Low Beams, the High Beams or Off all together. It also works to turn off the lights when the starter is engaged to reduce the load on the battery.

Hope this helps,

Steven

Very nice bike