Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner SM/America: Instrument console/filler cap surround

Hi, guys. A little help/advice needed here: I'm not sure what the thing is called so I couldn't do a proper search for it but, I want to remove or colour the bit at the top of the tank that the tacho,lights and filler cap sits in. Ideally, I'd like to remove it as I think it's a bloody ugly thing-if I did remove it and relocated the lights and tacho, what would I be left with? (2 screw holes, obviously-could these be filled?) Would the filler cap now sit too high? Has anybody done this mod?
Does anyone make aftermarket/replacement parts?
How does one go about colouring the chrome?

Thanks in advance, neill

It's the dash you are asking about.Just sand it down and spray it to color it. There are tabs that stick up to secure it if my memory serves. The gas cap area looks similar to a harley if you have ever seen one of them. doesn't stick up much. You could make a leather piece to attach to the 2 front screws that covers the area where the dash was and attach it with 3 stainless bolts. Or maybe just 2 stainless bolts at the front and take it all the way to the front of the seat and make it tie to the tank mounting tab.

It doesn't look horrible, depending on the look you're going for, but you're definitely going to paint if you want to cut the three dash mounting tabs off:



(More in Strick's gallery)

That has got to be the ugliest mod I have seen yet.

this is what i did


and you can get the gauges you can get out of jp cycles and drag fat book

BIKER

I'm diggin the tank look, alot cleaner looking. The instruments and lights, though...not so sure about. I'm Obsessive Ccompulsive and balance is one of of my compulsions...

I kinda like the gauge set up but not the idiot lights so much.And I can't stand Z bars. I must have 10 sets rusting away I took off bikes and tossed in a pile. I personally like the dash but each to his own.I would like it even better if it was more like the 37 Speedtwin.

That's a great job, biker. What did you use to fill in the indentation on the top front of the tank?

The only thing that I'm not too crazy about is that the filler cap sits so far up from the rest of the tank, and atop what I feel looks like an...areola.(can I say that word around here?)

But I doubt that there is any way to dispense with that, huh?!

you could fix that but not for the beginner.Would have to cut the filler neck out of the tank and weld it back in lower. Possibly get one of those custom flush set ups and weld that in for a totally smooth look.

they are not really z bars..i made them i know the look close but not the same thing and with the right set up z bars do look good.but that is all to that person
and these bar's look great with my girder front end..

BIKER

DWIGHT i just used some deraglass.. bondo i cut the tab's off and gound them even with the tank. now see i like the gas cap standing out like that but thats just me..

BIKER

IS NO BEGINNER have been welding and fabing for many year's even thinking about make a custom tank for mine

BIKER

Oh you have a girder on there? Cool I love girders. I just don't like narrow bars for my own comfort I didn't mean the look.I have always been partial to girder and springer front ends.If I ever manage to get a crashed America or SM I plan on doing a chopper with one or the other.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm not a fan of the t*t look so, for now, I'm gonna paint the dash and when I've got the funds, get a flush-fit cap welded in.

(To think, I've not even got the bike yet and already I know what it's gonna look like in a few years from now. I've already got my billet LED indicators ordered!! :] )

PS Nipple aside, I love the bike that FJ posted

PPS What does 'bobbed' mean?

Cheers,
neill

]:>

Echoance, bobbed (or bobber) is more of a style of customs. Hmm... pictures speak louder than words... or are they worth a thousand words... might be both. Here is a link that might help you out on the definition of bobbed. Bobber

Bobbed usually refers to "bobbed" fenders. Fenders cut short. There is more to the Bobbed look but thats where it comes from.

What? ....Who?......HuH?...OHHH you were talking about motorcycles. nevermind.

The other bobbed look is a whole other can of worms!!

<--is a fan of the 'bobbed' look.

As I've mentioned before, I want to paint the dash (the same colour as the tank). One idea I've had is just to paint the *top* of the dash, along with the gas cap, lights and tacho surround and leave the sides of the dash chromed. I think it'd look smart. Comments? Anyone done it/seen it done?

You mean like this?

I found one way to hide the plastic hole covers and add bettery symetry to the console set up. I removed the plastic plugs from the accessory holes and put on conchos.
Tandy Leather/The Leather Factory sells several styles of conchos that screw on. I used celtic, but I believe they may be offering skulls now. If you check thier web site you'll see the variety.
Anyhow, they cover the holes nicely, are easy to install and shine up yearly with Mothers Mag cleaner.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?DEPT=123&Page=8
177 different conchos. Western, Antique coin, biker, celtic, hearts, crosses.....you name it. ALSO easy to add to saddle bags ect.

VERY cool idea!!

you know, depending on the look you're going for, some of those "conchos" might look cool on the end cap of the grip. it seems like the round 1 1/4" ones would fit nicely (possibly a little trimming required.)

just something to ponder. the trick would be: how to keep them from flying off.

thorn

I took medalions with a rose on them and made bar ends for Wendys bike.

what did you use to fasten them to the bar ends?

I think the black one with the cross would look and fit nicely on the end. would have the cut the screw off the back and glue it somehow. i'll name that as my project for next weekend. (besides a cinco de mayo party).

The origonal bolt.

I'm about a month late but here's what I did. I have added a Dakota digital since so its all black. Just sand and spray.

How bout your fork shrouds? How were they done?

Very good job Robert. beautiful bike.

thorn

I haven't done anything with the shrouds yet Benny, but I am going to take them off when I put the gaitors on. Also I'm doing something with the front fender, cutting it down or taking it off, or replacing it with something different. Thank you Thorn, My wife is going to be N. O. La. for a couple of weeks for a family wedding.

she'll love it in New Orleans. Just be sure not to go to the East-Bank and surrounding areas... they still haven't cleaned it up from Katrina.