Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner Replacement metal tank instrument cover?

Does anyone know of anyone who has created a metal (chromed) instrument cover for the TBA/TBS to replace the (cheap) plastic one that comes stock (and doesn't even fit snug)?

If I found someone to build one, how many people would be interested in purchasing? How much would you pay?

Just thinking....
Chuckles

If it was a quality made metal chrome piece, I would definitely want one! Polished stainless or aluminum would be the best for no rust issues.

Ya, I would get one too as long it wasn't priced like a Triumph part. I guess I would pay up to $100.00 if it was a quality piece that fits snug.

I'm thinking a stamped stainless sheet metal of nice stiff gauge, then either polish/brush it and chrome it, for two versions. A molded part might be another option but probably overkill. Once a stamping press mold is made, should be easy to crank these out rather reasonably, then have chromed. I'll talk with some friends with experience (or chime in folks). Should be easy to take existing cover, do 3D scan, import to a CNC and have it create some press molds (for how much $$ don't know). Project!
Chuckles

Brushed stainless would look nice too, would kind of carry over the look from the fork shrouds and not be so reflective in your eyes around mid-day.

Count me in!!

I'd pay a couple hundred bucks for one, but I would prefer more of a straight line shape

Anyone have an extra instrument cover they can donate/lend for a 3D scan (maybe 2 weeks ship/scan/return)? I can take mine but then can't ride until returned... prefer not to buy another one for just this. I found some companies who will reverse engineer to 3D file, and then mfg who can create parts from 3D files (either sheet metal itself, or CNC mold... I'll compare which costs less in long run).

Thanks
Chuckles

Count me in, I'd definitely buy one.

so...in case no one ever compared the "old" tank vs the "new" tank there is a slight difference in curvature at teh top of the tank.

ALL the current new and old dashs are the same.

Good idea. Count me in.

I'd be interested depending on cost and I agree with the brushed look as I have been blinded a couple of times. And I would also add agreement that it doesn't have to look like the original, though that might be your biggest market first. Straight line or maybe a triangular shape to match the logos (depending on fit).

Yes Please. Particularly a Brushed stainless for my tastes and would go with the flow on price. Great idea btw

Just my 2 cents. I'm all for the reverse engineering but to cnc some stamps for one style and then there's talk about custom designs? I would think it would be easier to cnc each one from aluminum? Then you could polish, paint, powdercoat etc for a custom look. Or a real one-off using the mounting holes and curve established for the "base" model then do something funky with the surface? Just throwin' it out there.

I'd consider a nice billet one with crisp edges and a matching fuel cap. Would be an opportunity to do something different with the idiot lights.

Chuckles,

You can still ride without your dash, just unplug the idiot light cluster. I hope you know where neutral is.

And it really cant fit too flush cause it'll rub the paint. You could maybe get the fit tolerance a little closer, but touching wouldnt be good.

I know Brent looked at doing one a few years back, but it was going to work out to around $600 each for them and noone was willing to pay that much. I reckon if you found a cheap way of churning them out you'd have a good seller (and could probably sell them through Brent's company for a wider market).

Chuck, heres one on e-bay.
About half price of a new one in case you can't get anyone to donate for a scan.

Click Here

I'd be interested, if I could get it in black/powder coat

For those who have gaps between crome and tank,get a piece of the trim that comes with the summer screens and put it around the crome piece,it makes a nice filler.

I'd take one in chrome if available.

Sandmann is right brent looked into this a few years and found the cost to make it sell it would be over 600 bucks each

at that price.. I belive most people would not go for it..

Ed

$600!!! All of a sudden I like my plastic/chrome one.

Thanks, good feedback. I plan on trying some different materials, SS, aluminum, and see what works best. I want it to last and resist corrosion, so focused on these two. Maybe two options. May change shape a bit, either for look or for manufacturing (might have to since stock is molded plastic, might be hard to recreate 100% with stamped, some draws might be too deep...). I would like to shorten it but have to match the mounting screw holes of course... these are so long they interfere with typical tank bags, I find. We'll see what we come up with. I hope one master stamp can handle both SS and aluminum so easy to make both, we'll see what experts say.

Keep the feedback coming.

Got your point, I was thinking rubber gasket standoffs at screws, follow form close (better than stock) but not touching - just find mine has some really large gaps, more than necessary. Thanks.

We'll see what I find the cost is, obviously a "no-go" at $600. Depends how you do it. One by one CNC, sure, $600. But if stamped from a master press plate set (CNC once) then maybe much less. I'll let you know... my goal is less than $150 but we'll see. Prefer to have made in good 'ol USA, but might have to go off-shore, but will try to avoid. I will NOT buy from China... don't start me on that.

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my goal is less than $150 but we'll see.

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heck it will cost that much just to get the chrome plating done...

and to make the mold/die so you can stamp them...
you will really go HOLY ****** when you see the cost of that



Ed

Stamp them out of stainless or aluminum and polish or paint.

So, if these get made, will it be custom or accessory?

I would love a polished stainless one if not out of my price range.

I'd need brass, as my other, one off, home made things are brass (I like the green, gold, brass theme).
But as usual, I'll have to go some other route, as I can't get myself to pay OCC money for aesthetic accessories.

If I get to point of having master press molds, I can probably stamp out any material that comes in sheet metal you want. Aluminum, stainless, brass... you into this "steampunk" stuff?

I'm also thinking two-step stamping, to give some options on the instrument holes:
- just like stock for single large or clock
- maybe two smaller holes for other after market tach & clock both together
- reorient the warning lights...

Since I plan stamped sheet metal as the plan as of now, some of the shape may change slightly from stock to take into account the limits of "drawing" the material too deep, too thin, etc... but the experts will give me feedback on that. The mounting hole areas are the most problematic as they stand, so some mod in those areas, but generally the same. Maybe overall "rounder" edges and corners, more gradual.

I like someone's idea of changing the overall shape into sort of "Triumph Logo" triangle shape, which is not that far off the existing, but that would be only if stock-shaped with maybe 1 or 2 hole options takes off to pay back the investment. But once I have the 3D it will be relatively easy to "morph" the existing shape into a triangle, checking vs. tank. I have sources to do "3D Printing" which is now pretty reasonable cost out of plastic, to check, etc...

I bought another stock panel to do 3D model and use for comparing during the whole process rather than drive around "bare" on my bike (I know I that I CAN, I don't want to...).

If the admin wants to move this to "accessories" or "vendors" that is fine. I was thinking it is for "customizing" your bike in general sense... whatever.

I'll keep you updated and I'm going to get several inputs on the overall process from experts so I have an idea of cost in the end before jumping in both feet. I might also sell "roughs" (the basic stamped piece without finishing in sheet metal of choice) and also nicely finished and polished and coated pieces. We'll see... step at a time.

Chuckles

Thanks for doing the leg work on this!

On my first long trip I found the glare off the console really annoying. I fantasized about getting a replacement item made out of black plastic that would be a bit bigger and serve as storage - sort of a permanent tank bag. I didn't have a tach at the time and the it seemed like the idiot lights could move to the headlight/handlebar area.

I'm no metallurgist, but I think brass & copper would be the easyest (softest), and would be more likely to conform to a deep stamping. I beleive the copper would be the best base material to chrome?

its too bad Triumph didnt make it out of steel from the beginning I would've paid $200 or so extra.

But if this project gets off thr ground id like to get one without the holes for the lights or switches. Id mount the lights between the risers where i can see them as i wear a full face helmet I would also get rid of the rubber plugs that are always crooked. if you wanted to u could drill the holes yourself

There are a huge number of good ideas here. Chuck, thanks for getting into this like you did. Would really mean a lot of a bunch of us to do something about that chunk of plastic. Wouldn't be so bad if it didn't stare you in the face for every moment of riding.

To keep costs down I think chroming is out. I just got some rails chromed on an antique set of hard bags and it cost WAYYYYYYYYYY too much... like $400 too much. The idea of shipping an unfinished piece really makes sense then it's up to the individual to do what they want.