Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 25 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 Does the smush naturally follow the center of the tube? anyways... I just got back from our local Tractor Supply, the smallest tube they carry is 1/2x1/16 I think that is too large. The big A has this I'll get a stick next weekend and practice. Plenty to do in the meantime. The 3M idea and the fairing stay may be a winner as well; the "nesting" surfaces i stuck in the bezel will hold the tape perfect. Thanks Cap., as always your input is invaluable...you should charge by the word...extra for pics...well, except for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 25 Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 If the dies are mirrored, it self centers. If you need a "flat" side, like for up against bodywork at a shallow angle just stagger the dies as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 25 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 4 minutes ago, Captain 80s said: If you need a "flat" side, like for up against bodywork at a shallow angle just stagger the dies as needed. I was going to ask, the side at the bezel...would be desirable. All I have is a vise, cast iron surface plate (ok for common sence beating and filtering) and a bernzomatic torch. My team and I got this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 25 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 I was check out pictures of your "Chrissy" loaded for camping, taking me back some. 🙂 This is what I have with the official Honda bracket and my idea with the tape. How does this plan sound? I create a flat on the tube with a hook on the end that goes down that bolt hole for the mirror? There is more than enough clearance for the mirror bolt and the flat piece of tube, then the bracket tightens on this side with the mirror bolt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 25 Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 The problem with sandwiching anything fairly thick on top is that the mirror spacing is designed to apply pressure to hold the cowl securely. Why don't you dremel away a "relief" in the rolled over lip of the mirror mount just wide enough for the bracket to run thru and be flush to the underside. That short of a bracket bolted in that manner will be very secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 25 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 15 minutes ago, Captain 80s said: Why don't you dremel away a "relief" in the rolled over lip of the mirror mount just wide enough for the bracket to run thru and be flush to the underside. Yes, very doable and perhaps use the mirror mount and a good grade 8 nut and bolt to put the initial smush on the tube... this sucks no computer in the garage and my old MacBook does not do VFRD well. Hows this one... the tube will reach down to the stamped oval-ish hole in the left upper in-fill panel mount tab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 25 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 It looks to be running parallel to the gauges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 25 Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 Doable. I personally would be running to the mirror mount for strength. The clocking is easy and can be fine tuned after the fact. I usually have to do a little tweaking for final fitment. I also think you want the bracket away from the bike so you can throw some serious heat at it. It helps a lot on the smush. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 25 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 Option 3... I like this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 25 Member Contributer Share Posted February 25 So do I. Smush and then hole drilled in the wall of the cowl stay? The angle to the mirror mount is better for staying in position, but that is a cleaner looking install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 Then the 3M tape or a velcro application at the speedo. I will follow this tomorrow. Thanks for walking thru this with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 I was thinking drilling thru the tube and the side of the gauge mount bracket as is right there, small bolt and nut, conical washer. The tube would be so much more sturdy or rigid not smushed down there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 yea just disregard that last one, its late... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 26 Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 2 hours ago, tsmitty said: yea just disregard that last one, its late... Too late... smush it. You don't lose any strength in the same plane and it's a much nicer install. Plus flat on flat is a better engagement to hold it's position. Maybe there's a machine shop near you that will let you have 5 minutes on their press. But if you have a big enough vise and a torch, it will go easy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 I think I'm golden Captain. I don't think I'll need any tape, if so can be applied anytime. The speedo and bezel can wiggle together or separately. The only alteration to the bike is 13/64 hole in the cowl sub-frame. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 26 Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 Smush for the win! Nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 Here is the meter mounted with the rubber overlay. I don't have the harness made up yet...easy-pezy to do later. I have another meter I got on eslay for 5.00 that one is to experiment on changing the letters and numbers to match the stock colors. And...here is what she looks like with her cloths back on. Please, an honest opinion of the final look. Represent? The good news is 1 bolt, its off of there and no one will ever know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 26 Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 That's pretty cool. Nice job. Def unique. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 Thanks Captain, its nice to have a forum with tallied Gents. to bounce ideas off of. And in case you're wondering...I aint ready to paint yet...I got a kanutin valve to fix yet...and the fix-diziler started rattling again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 26 Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 You're gonna throw a little paint on that bracket tho... riiiiiiiiiight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 What bracket... ...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 26 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 26 Yes I was planning on squirting the bracket... I was looking at that poor cowl frame and the messed up paint and heat marks... I never expected that bike, dumped in my garage in a box, all burnt up, would turn into this. So no...I haven't been painting stuff as I went along. I had found out that the son dumped it here so old "Pops" would have something to tinker with. Well, no one was expecting it but when it started coming back together...and ran...and started looking pretty...and your in-fills went on and gave her a touch of class. This is the overall badist bike I ever owned, and always regretted selling her, hell man the bike and I both earned our "broken wings". So seriously Mike, to answer your question...I'm going to paint that bracket and someday I might pull that sub-frame and paint it too, but I won't paint that tank, the blue needs shot too I believe. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tsmitty Posted February 27 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 27 Ok, now that the boo-hoo session is over and moving forward. Below, side by side, is a totally "toast" speedo and a 5.00 ebay sacrificial volt gauge. I have two questions... 1) How do I change the white letters and numbers into pretty reddish/orangish letters and numbers? 2) How do I transfer those techniques to the gauge that I have currently mounted to the bike? Aaannd...go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted February 27 Member Contributer Share Posted February 27 I would take another hit with that lighter, chill out with a finger of bourbon and look at my killer bike with it's new custom Volt Meter. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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