 About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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OP
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Always thought the mismatched sides on our machines looked a little strange, what with the right side having the rounder classic side cover and the left side having the sharper edged battery sticking out for all the world to see.
And thus, yesterday I found a left side cover off a '96 Thunderbird on Ebaymotors for less than 30 bucks and thought I'd give a shot at cutting the back side of it down in order to see if I could make it somehow fit over the battery.
(...I guess we'll see...and heck, if I can't make it work or maybe don't like the looks of it afterward, I'm only out 30 bucks, right?!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left-side cover
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Joined: Mar 2008
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left-side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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OP
Fe Butt
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Thanks. I'll be sure to post some pics, Marty.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left-side cover
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Will be great to see the final result Dwight. I've always reckoned our left hand battery area looked too Harley Davidsonish. 
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
...And thus, yesterday I found a left side cover off a '96 Thunderbird on Ebaymotors for less than 30 bucks and thought I'd give a shot at cutting the back side of it down in order to see if I could make it somehow fit over the battery.
I LOVE IT! 
YOU GO BOY!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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OP
Fe Butt
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Yeah, I THINK I know why you're laughin' here, erle. I mean I first cut down and made smaller those big ol' fenders on my BA, and then put gaiters on it, and THEN moved my foot controls back under me and not way out front anymore where I was constantly sittin' right on my tailbone...and now THIS! Yep, it seems I'm bound and determined to make my BA into a standard Bonneville, huh! (...yep, kinda like how you're in the process of turnin' YOUR bike into a Thruxton, huh!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Great idea! 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: May 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
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Quote:
Always thought the mismatched sides on our machines looked a little strange, what with the right side having the rounder classic side cover and the left side having the sharper edged battery sticking out for all the world to see.
I always thought that was a throwback homage to the original Speed Twin, it is the same symmetry...battery exposed on the left, painted oil tank on the right.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Are you done yet? I wanna see, hurry up.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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OP
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Quote:
Quote:
Always thought the mismatched sides on our machines looked a little strange, what with the right side having the rounder classic side cover and the left side having the sharper edged battery sticking out for all the world to see.
I always thought that was a throwback homage to the original Speed Twin, it is the same symmetry...battery exposed on the left, painted oil tank on the right.
Yeah, good point Ed. And, considering the fact that both the old classic and our bikes have the tank consoles, and for a few years had those(ugly in my book, and thus one of the first things I removed after buying my BA) passenger footpeg holders that were designed to mimic the tool boxes on the Speed Twins, I suppose that that was another styling cue in common to both that I never really thought about before.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I just ordered it on Monday, Matt. It's coming from Nebraska, I think it was. And so, it'll probably get here later this week, at which time I'll start on this project. And, I'll definitely post some pics of it, ASAP. 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Yeah, I THINK I know why you're laughin' here...Yep, it seems I'm bound and determined to make my BA into a standard Bonneville, huh!
(...yep, kinda like how you're in the process of turnin' YOUR bike into a Thruxton, huh!)
Yep! NOT laughin' at ya, just laughin' with ya!
Grown men just CAN'T leave ANYTHING alone! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Apr 2012
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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looking forward to seeing what it looks like bud.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I'm excited to see how this turns out as well even though I ditched all that stuff long ago.
2008 Speedy, AI removed, DIY airbox destruction with K&N filters, spectres, re-jetted and "custom" rattle can paint job.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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OP
Fe Butt
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Okay guys. I received the side cover yesterday, and TAH-DAH, it now done! Yeah, I move fast when I'm motivated. First, I thought this baby was gonna be made of plastic, but it was actually made of metal. Had to do a lot of cutting with my little jigsaw. Then there was the indentation for the oval "Thunderbird" insignia plate on it, which I bondo-ed in. After a lot of sanding, I then striped the red paint off of it and repainted it black to match the right side cove. After letting it dry, I rubbed it out a bit to give it a little shine, and then mounted it on the bike. So, whaddaya all think?    
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4 |
Sorry Dwight, I know how hard it is to have a vision and see it come up short, but any piece that has to be zip tied on just seems cobbed together. Plus, it looks too bulbous, not like the other side that hugs the frame more.
A++ for effort, C- for execution.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,816
Freelance Jedi Knight
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Freelance Jedi Knight
Joined: Sep 2005
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nice try but
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Yeah, I know what ya mean about the zip-ties, and was thinkin' about other means of attaching it. At this point however I just wanted to get an idea of how it would look.
And while it does appear to stick out farther than the right side cover in this pics, looking down from the seat and comparing it to the ride side over, it actually doesn't stick out any further at all. I think the fact that the bottom of the left side cover goes a bit further foward in order to cover the front of the battery, and the way I had to cut around the faux air-cleaners as I went upward, makes it looks a little like what you're talkin' about here.
Tell ya what. I'll take another pic looking straight down from the seat, and I think you'll see what I mean.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4 |
I don't think it should be covering the cheese grater either, I guess it's too long to tuck back in behind it, huh?
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Here's that pic looking straight down...  And another looking back from the left side... However, looking at it again, I think I can grind down a little more on the inside bottom of the left cover in order to fit it a little closer to the bottom of the battery. Yeah, I think the bottom IS sticking out a little more than the ride side cover's bottom is. Be back in 20 minutes. (...btw, thanks for your input here, Dave!)
Last edited by Dwight; 02/16/2013 5:52 PM.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
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I think it looks just fine, and definitely serves the purpose you were after. I'd compound/polish out the paint more till it REALLY shines, put a chrome bolt in that grommet hole (wether it's functional, or not), and put another "Bonneville" decal like on the rear fender on it. Where was that picture taken? Looks like what I'd expect Nagasaki to look like.  If you worried what others thought, You'd be in for a COMPLETE make-over. Love ya brother! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
...Be back in 20 minutes.
Well, Guess THAT didn't pan out.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Fe Butt
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OP
Fe Butt
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Okay Dave. I'm back. Ground down the bottom back of the cover, and was able to get it in another 1/4" or so. And, you might notice I at least got rid of one of those zip-ties...the one at the bottom. What I did was fit a large washer behind that bottom mount, and now that washer slides into the little slot/space between the battery and the lip on the battery tray. I think now I have the covers sticking out on each side of the bike as about as symetrical and equal as possible. Now, whaddaya think?...   
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Just read your posts here, erle! Thanks for your input also. Yep, the more I reshape this sucker down, the more I'm likin' it myself. (...oh, and no...not unless Nagasaki is lined with beautiful Red Rock formations also!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
...not unless Nagasaki is lined with Red Rock formations also!)
I thought it MIGHT be.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Nope. As far as I know, they don't have any red rock formations there. BUT, I hear they DID have a big red flash in the SKY like THIS once there... 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
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Looks pretty good to me, Dwight.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Thanks Rich!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: May 2010
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Posts: 5,720 |
Looks good to me too, might even be an aerodynamic enhancement.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I like it too Dwight. Good job!
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Thanks Ryk and Brent. Yeah, if I had to place a percent of satisfaction on this thing, I'd say I'm about 80 or so percent satisfied with it. I think the thing that's lettin' it down a bit is that it doesn't completely cover the back half of the battery, though I suppose the "upswept" look on it kinda sorta flows into the sweep of the fender and fender bracket.
(...yep, this MAY become an ongoing venture here...we'll see)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: May 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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That's coming along nicely. I suspect now you'll fiddle with it more until the profile slims a tad and then it will look factory made.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I think it looks pretty alright. Is suppose if i still had an air box it would be something to consider.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: May 2007
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
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What does I thinks ? Well, I like the cover, and you effotes is noble, but I jus cain't get away from that tree in the background all locked up in that steel contraption. Either that tree was planted in 1823 by Helmholtz Prescott or ya'll have one mo' serious tree stealin' problem.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: May 2010
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Posts: 5,720 |
Quote:
, but I jus cain't get away from that tree in the background all locked up in that steel contraption.
Deer Fence, so you actually get some Fruit out of the deal? My guess.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Apr 2012
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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nice job dwight. looks good man.
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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OP
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Quote:
What does I thinks ? Well, I like the cover, and you effotes is noble, but I jus cain't get away from that tree in the background all locked up in that steel contraption. Either that tree was planted in 1823 by Helmholtz Prescott or ya'll have one mo' serious tree stealin' problem.
Okay Wade, here's the deal on that tree. As you probably know, we purchased this home here in Sedona just about a year ago now, and the husband of the widow we purchased it from was quite the builder and woodworker. He actually drew up the plans and built this house himself back in 1980. Just one of the things that impressed me about this house the first time I saw it was all the excellently handbuilt and custom made cabinetry in the garage. I can store so much stuff in 'em that I ALMOST don't mind the garage downsizing from the 4 car garage space I had in the Prescott home to this 2 car garage space I have here.
And, another of the deceased gentleman's projects were those (as erle might say, "Nagasaki-inspired" )cages that he built around the two peach trees on this property to keep the birds from eatin' up all the fruit on 'em, and from which Judie made some delicious pies last Summer.
The problem with the cages though is that they're pretty much rotten and fallin' apart now, with the little roof on one of 'em having collasped after the weight of a couple of snow storms causing that, and so they'll be comin' down within the next few months.
(...oh, and btw, thanks for likin' my project)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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OP
Fe Butt
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Thanks, Lucas!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Joined: May 2007
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Whew !  Now I knows all about woodworkin' an storage an Nagasaki pens fo'peach trees an widows an all sorts of cabinits an stuff but now I just cain't seem to get away from thinkin' 'bout Miss Judie's delishus PEACH PIES. 
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Re: About to experiment with making a left side cover
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Yep, they's were sure deeeee-lish-us, alright! (...'specially served al la mode!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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