 HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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OK...so I figured I’d share this with everyone. I made this in under an hour for under $10 with hand tools. BEFORE YOU PROCEED • Your working with metal...its sharp after you cut it, BE CAREFUL! • You will be displacing your turn signals….have a plan for those. SUPPLIES NEEDED Sheet metal – I went to Home Depot and got a small sheet (Shingle) for $.95. Screws with flat heads on them. They are in the screw aisle above the assorted specialty screw trays. They are brown in color. Part # – 23MMCNBLTWBZ $3.97 SS washers and nuts – ¼ x 20 coarse thread, they are $.98 per bag. I got nylon lock nuts because I didn’t want to use locktite but wanted to make sure these weren’t going to come off.  REMOVE YOUR REAR INDICATOR ASSEMBLY Remove your lic plate. Disconnect turn signals at the small black plastic connectors. Remove your tail light assembly (3 x 10mm bolts on the underside of the fender/mudguard). Remove the flanges sleeves from the rubber grommets. Leave the rubber grommets in place. If the large rubber pad has come off put it back in place. See pic below.  MAKE YOUR LAYDOWN PLATE • Mark your sheet metal for 4†x 7†• 5/8†From each edge mark a line. The four intersections will be four 1/4†holes for the lic plate bolts (not shown in the pic below, I forgot to do this). • Find and mark your center line on the plate (3 ½†from the edge). • On that center line from bottom to top mark 5/8†and 2 ¼†(2 2/8 in the pic….DOH!). • On the bottom line you marked at 5/8â€, from the center line mark 15/16†on each side. o The above two steps have just given you the positions to drill 3 x 11/32 holes. Should look like this but with the addition of the 4 holes marked for your lic plate bolts.  Trim, file, drill, file and it should look like this.  Make sure the rubber grommets are in place as well as the rubber pad, insert your flat screws through the plate, line up with the three grommets, push on and secure with washers and nuts. Don’t over tighten or the metal will bend. Should be snug but not gorilla tight. Should look like this.  Mount your plate and frame. Should look similar to this.  Now….sit back, heal your wounds (I told you to be careful…..metal is sharp!) and have a Dr Pepper (or whatever)!
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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I like it. Looks good Z. This looks like something I might give a try at. Thanks for the model.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Well done, Z. If I ever put my stock fender back on I'm definitely doing that. I could also see, if one didn't want to bolt turn signals directly to the fender, cutting the metal so that you leave a tab on each side. Then drill the tabs, bend them down 90 degrees and bolt lights there. Or duplicate the LED strips on the Rivco license plate bracket. 
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Should be Riding
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Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Loquacious
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I like it, I have been thinking about doing the same for a while, just don't want to mount the signals to the fender and am too cheap for the Rivco kit. Maybe FJ's idea will work for me.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Quote:
cutting the metal so that you leave a tab on each side. Then drill the tabs, bend them down 90 degrees and bolt lights there.
Im going to work on that for Karens bike. She likes the lay down but I dont want to drill into her fenders.
So two things....
1) Home Depot doesnt have metal sheets sturdy enough for that.
2) Youd have to space the plate up just a bit higher so you can clear the wires.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Cool, I already have a chrome license backing plate, so I only have to drill the holes you marked! Great tip, thanks for passing it on.
Edit: Crap, just remembered my plate holder bracket is stuffed full of the Electrical Connections box for the running/turn lights. Hmm, have to think on this one.
Last edited by ssjones; 01/30/2009 8:55 AM.
Al
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Excellent write-up. Thanks! 
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Didn't someone post a source for stock Triumph wiring connectors?
Get some of those and move it up in front of the fender. Plug it in between the main harness and rear fender harness. That's what I plan to do. I'm replacing a Back-off module with a run-turn-stop module. I already have some generic 6 pin connectors with molex (?) pins but I'd rather keep it all stock.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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I think it was Soren....he had a local electronics shop if I remeber correctly.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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SO....went to Lowes today and found they have a much better selection of steel plates than Home Depot.
About $10 for a 8x12 sheet...thick enough to keep it stiff and possibly mount the signals to, thin enough to look good.
Had to resort to using my jig saw to cut it all out.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Wouldn't it be easier to just buy a chrome/billet backing plate like this? Only $16 and ready to drill the needed holes, right? http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail...&model_id=0  Quote:
SO....went to Lowes today and found they have a much better selection of steel plates than Home Depot.
About $10 for a 8x12 sheet...thick enough to keep it stiff and possibly mount the signals to, thin enough to look good.
Had to resort to using my jig saw to cut it all out.
Al
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Looks like a good option. And it comes with a frame and hardware.
Nice find.
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Actualy....after some curiosity...they charge $6.95 handling for orders under $199.00 (I dont know if that covers shipping charges as well). So now your getting up to the $24 (when its on sale) to $27 range (when its not on sale).
You can get just the plate frame for about $5 at your local dealer.
Still a good fine IF you dont have the ability to make one, otherwise its still cheaper to make it and more rewarding.
Last edited by Zmilin; 01/31/2009 12:31 PM.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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I bought two separate pieces, but now can't find those items. The backing plate was only $10. Order Information Product # Description Qty. MSRP Price Extended Price KY-9163 Kuryakyn Small Ball-Milled License Plate Frame 1 $29.95 CC-LPBACKPLATE CruiserCustomizing License Plate Backing Plate, Polished 1 $9.95  Quote:
Looks like a good option. And it comes with a frame and hardware.
Nice find.
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Actualy....after some curiosity...they charge $6.95 handling for orders under $199.00 (I dont know if that covers shipping charges as well). So now your getting up to the $24 (when its on sale) to $27 range (when its not on sale).
You can get just the plate frame for about $5 at your local dealer.
Still a good fine IF you dont have the ability to make one, otherwise its still cheaper to make it and more rewarding.
Al
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 Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Hey great idea.How about making the plate with a curve to it to match the rear fender thus making it fit closer.It might just make it a tad harder for the %^&*() photo radar to read your license plate.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Quote:
I bought two separate pieces, but now can't find those items. The backing plate was only $10.
Order Information
Product # Description Qty. MSRP Price Extended Price
KY-9163 Kuryakyn Small Ball-Milled License Plate Frame 1 $29.95
CC-LPBACKPLATE CruiserCustomizing License Plate Backing Plate, Polished 1 $9.95
Thats all great but now this all gets away from my original intent which was to show how a do it yourselfer can make something kinda cool for really cheap that fits like it was meant to be there and looks awesome!
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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I hear you, but I just don't have the same metal cutting tools. Quote:
Thats all great but now this all gets away from my original intent which was to show how a do it yourselfer can make something kinda cool for really cheap that fits like it was meant to be there and looks awesome!
Al
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Coulpe things, 1st off: Awsome write-up Z. I wrote the part numbers down but forgot um when I went to The Depot. Cuz of your pics, I grabbed the right stuff. 2nd: could we get this moved to the "How To" section in the tech vault I think? It's an easy, well written and detailed write up. Hate to see it go the way of the dinosaur. 3rd. I'm going to start messing with this tonight, try and put signals on the tabs. I got spacers, and new taillights. Hopefully pics to come. Thnx Z. 
Sometimes you get the bar, sometimes the bar gets you.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Well I don't think anything gets auto-deleted on this site outside of the Lounge, so this shouldn't go the way of the dodo. However, you bring up an interesting point, that it should be easy to find in the future. But rather than stick it in How To's with all the maintenance-type stuff, I think I'd make a new subject called Custom Mods. I'll run it past the mods for opinions.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Aw, heck with it. Added to How To's...
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Dang. I thought this article would tell me how to avoid toll booth cameras.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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The title does sound a little jamesbondian, doesn't it?
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Quote:
Aw, heck with it. Added to How To's...
COOL! 
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Ha, thanks FJ. I mean comon, the name of the thread is "HOW TO-"  Okay, so I ended up doing a couple different things. I had ripped off the original taillight assembly and decided to make the lay down plate with tabs for aftermarket turnsignals. That was a peice of cake, looks good, and it felt good to do something myself. So anyway, my father see's me hacking and destroying in the basement because I went over there to steal his tools. (#1 reason apartment life sucks by the way.) Anywho...hes a tool guy, so his interest is piqued. We rip apart the original assembly and he says he can turn down and rethread the stems for the taillights. Me of little faith says, "Go ahead, that would be great." So today he comes home with the fixture, and tells me I owe him a six pack. It does look good, im sure someone else has already done this but whatever. Haha... Anyway, now I don't know what to do. The bike is in someone else's garage so I wont be able to put anything on it and take pics till tommorrow. Im even contemplating putting the aftermarket signals on the stock license plate holder. I want to try all three, see how it looks, take pics, and see what the concensus is around here. Again, thanks Z.
Last edited by DuckOner; 03/19/2009 8:03 PM.
Sometimes you get the bar, sometimes the bar gets you.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Here are 2 different aftermarket indiwinkers mounted on short stalks and stock plate mount.  
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Well, there are maintenance how to's and then there are custom how to's. This is the latter.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Here are more pics as requested. The left bike is Karens the right is mine. I kept her OEM lights mounted to shorter stems that mount to the plate bracket I made for hers. If you can visualize wings bent down or tabs so to speak. Turned out nice. I didnt take any pics when I made it so no instructions there.  A side view of both.  A better shot of Karens. 
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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OT - How'd you drill the exhaust pipes? Or are those tips?
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Quote:
OT - How'd you drill the exhaust pipes? Or are those tips?
Tips...Specialty Spares has them for their pipes.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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Thankyou for the instruction, I will be making the plate the next chance i get. 
07 SM, Thunder bike pipes, K ride bags, Driving lights, Backrest & rack, AI removed.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Member
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gr8 how to Z,been wondering what to do with lic plate,but now i do,peace
live fast,ride faster
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Quote:
Here are more pics as requested.
The left bike is Karens the right is mine. I kept her OEM lights mounted to shorter stems that mount to the plate bracket I made for hers. If you can visualize wings bent down or tabs so to speak. Turned out nice. I didnt take any pics when I made it so no instructions there.
So Karen's are the original signals mounted to "shorter stems"? Where did you get the shorter stems? Or did you shorten the stock stems? Looks great.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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I used these stems from JP cycle: part # 3200520 $8.99 for a set  The long end threads into the OEM turn signal housing. It needs to be cut down cause its too long and interferes with the bulb socket. I also used a thin nut, lock washer and red loctite on it as well.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Quote:
I used these stems from JP cycle:
part # 3200520
$8.99 for a set
The long end threads into the OEM turn signal housing. It needs to be cut down cause its too long and interferes with the bulb socket.
I also used a thin nut, lock washer and red loctite on it as well.
Thanks
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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I did similar shorter stems, except I bought hollow bolts and separate chrome spacers from JP Cycles.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Heres a variation on this theme which I've just finished. The cops over here are a bit hot on plates that lay as far down as the American ones so I decided to go half way, and I wanted to keep my flashers.  This is the bracket I made, had powder coated and fitted in place of original  These are with the plate back on, there not great pictures, in the garage and on my phone but you get the idea.   These pictures are rubbish, I'll take some better ones tommorrow.  Cheers Chris
All the best
Chris
Do it today - tommorrow it may be illegal.
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Chris....NICE WORK! Looks great!
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $10
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Nice job Chris! Quote:
Heres a variation on this theme which I've just finished.
The cops over here are a bit hot on plates that lay as far down as the American ones so I decided to go half way, and I wanted to keep my flashers.
......
Cheers
Chris
Al
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Re: HOW TO - make a laydown lic plate for under $1
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Really nice effort (and execution), Chris.
Edit: Okay, dumb question--how does the plate mount to the bracket?
Last edited by FriarJohn; 06/02/2009 9:57 PM.
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