and here we go with the windshield spikes..
this is the shield before. keeps the wind and bugs off, but sure isn't much to look at!
we started sensibly by taping the line where we wanted to drill. i would recommend always masking before drilling any kind of plastic!
then we marked out where we wanted to drill
then we started drilling
time: 10 minutes
tools needed: drill, 5/64" bit, 5/32" bit
instructions: once your tape is down and marks are where you want them, drill pilot holes in the shield with the 5/64" (very stinkin' small) bit. then go 'round and drill out to the required size (5/32" for the screws we used), again starting slowly, and holding the shield with one hand to prevent excess flexing
then we got the spikes threaded in
time: 5 minutes
tools needed: #2 phillips screwdriver, loctite, 1/2" #8-32 flat-head screws, flat washers, 7 screw spikes
instructions: we didn't use lock washers for the shield, because we didn't want to put that kind of pressure on the edge of the plastic. the flat washers should distribute the pressure over a larger area, and the loctite should prevent unthreading. coat the threads of the screw, put on a washer, and push through the hole from the back to the front of the shield. thread on the spikes, tighten with the screwdriver, and you're in business!
NOTE: the day we did this it was about 16 degrees. that night it went down to about 3 degrees. the effin' screws contracted, and tanker's windshield developed spider cracks around a number of the spike holes. they don't go all the way through the shield, and they don't seem to be getting any bigger, but i would strongly recommend using rubber o-rings under the washers if doing this mod. we will be putting some on soon, so when the screws contract in colder temperatures, they can compress the rubber, rather than the shield itself.
looks pretty badass if you ask me!
and it really does suit tanker much better now ;)
of course, if i left it to tank, the shield never even would have got cleaned ;)
but i don't believe that bug guts add anything to the look *lol*
of course, now that we're done, i may need a wire brush to get all the scum off my hands!
so that's all for now folks! we're waiting on tank's ace of spades grips (currently backordered until the beginning of june/06), and thinking about what else we can do to turn his shadow into an even meaner machine..
we did one more mod on may 20th, which i've been totally lazy about posting - our friend fix_it_gus from SCRC 270, upon finding out about tanker's norwegian heritage, made him a little thor's hammer in his forge at home! tank of course wanted to put it on his bike, so we found a spot on top of his idiot light console and gooped it on!
looks fantastic, if you ask me :)
still working on getting those grips in...will be sure to post pics as soon as they're in and on!
got some decals on a ride to double r leathers in erin, ontario on june 10th, 2006
to see what we did with them, proceed to page 3!
go back to page 1 - or - go to page 3 - or - go to k's mods
