Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: zaoguzzi on June 17, 2012, 10:37:17 PM
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Been working on this for a couple months. I wanted to just get everything lowered up there - I didn't like the how high the speedo and tach sat above everything else up front. Especially after I put on clip ons, it just looks like a periscope up there!
A friend who's good at this stuff made me a custom headlight bracket - very slick, laser cut, powder coated. It lowered the headlight by about an inch, and laid down instrument panel flush with the triple clamp plate. I love it - low and lean...
I don't post much, sorry if getting pix attached correctly takes me a few tries...
Ben
Seattle
(http://s15.postimage.org/wh0ouq1o7/IMG_1313.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wh0ouq1o7/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/ya3lj1muv/IMG_1314.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ya3lj1muv/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/cq8gourxz/IMG_1315.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cq8gourxz/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/warl5dhx3/IMG_1322.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/warl5dhx3/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/j7vym3rp3/IMG_1330.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/j7vym3rp3/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/yj5rmpp13/IMG_1334.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/yj5rmpp13/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/hxy571xx3/IMG_1336.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/hxy571xx3/)
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looks cool, where are your saddle bags from? Put some rear sets on and some new cans and the picture is complete. ;-T ;-T ;-T ;-T
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Looks good! Is the instrumentation any harder to read at that flat angle?
It looks a lot sportier that way. I agree that the next thing to complete it would be rear-sets.
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I LIKEY !!! ;D
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Very nice. A more sporting profile. A good modification, and one that most people would never think of.
Joe
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Spiffy! He might have a small business opportunity there.
Well, that's the thing, Carl, once the thing is all figured out in autoCAD and you're going to laser cut and powder one, that's kind of your best chance to do more than one.
So we made 5. I used one - I'd love to sell the other four and cover some of the time and materials. Don't really know the best way to get that info out there, besides this one post. (I don't want to to bug people.)
But thanks for the low softball over the plate!
Ben
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Nicely done! Makes the bike look it is hunkered down, like a cat before it pounces!
I see you lowered your fork clamps on the front forks. Like the change? (stock springs?)
;-T
I do! I think it turns in a little better.
Yes, stock springs. Man, they are pretty jarring. Got a suggestion for a replacement?
Ben
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looks cool, where are your saddle bags from? Put some rear sets on and some new cans and the picture is complete. ;-T ;-T ;-T ;-T
They're just Willie and Max - they sell a line with an eagle on them, which almost looks stock for a guzzi!
And it's not a saddlebag, it's just a $30 tool bag, and it's only on one side - and I actually use it for tools.
Rear sets, huh? Man, you guys are getting into my brain. And here I thought I was done! OKAY, where do I get them?
Ben
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Looks good! Is the instrumentation any harder to read at that flat angle?
It looks a lot sportier that way. I agree that the next thing to complete it would be rear-sets.
I was worried about the angle, Unkept, but it works great.
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Very nice. A more sporting profile. A good modification, and one that most people would never think of.
Joe
Thanks, Joe, and thanks for the pm, I'll check that out.
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Heck, I don't even OWN a V7C but I'm almost willing to buy one of those brackets! :D
...I kinda want a V7 Stone when they come out, and I don't have room for two bikes :'(
I'll test ride one when they show up, and weigh it against the V11 Lemans. You guys have inspired me with your "Passing the bike along to another caretaker" line. :BEER:
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This is a popular mod on new Bonnevilles, also. Its sorta like putting on a Lucas taillight; it streamlines the bike and gives it a look that is closer to its late sixties origin. Very well executed...
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Well, that's the thing, Carl, once the thing is all figured out in autoCAD and you're going to laser cut and powder one, that's kind of your best chance to do more than one.
So we made 5. I used one - I'd love to sell the other four and cover some of the time and materials. Don't really know the best way to get that info out there, besides this one post. (I don't want to to bug people.)
But thanks for the low softball over the plate!
Ben
You could put an ad in the classifieds section here on WildGuzzi to start...
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Nice - the gauges look way less like an afterthought now. Imagine how fast it would look had you bought a red one?
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I might be interested in a bracket. Thought about price yet? I was wanting to drop my front a tad too, so this would be perfect to do at the same time.
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I might be interested in a bracket. Thought about price yet? I was wanting to drop my front a tad too, so this would be perfect to do at the same time.
We are wavering on that - still talking about it. My fabricator (and the numbers guy - and my partner in this affair...) said we need $240 a bracket. But I'm thinking at $195 each we're more likely to sell all 4. But since he's not on this forum, I win!
(But you can pay either $240 OR $195. Whatever.)
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Wow, okay, that pretty much killed the thread! Oh well! :)
We are wavering on that - still talking about it. My fabricator (and the numbers guy - and my partner in this affair...) said we need $240 a bracket. But I'm thinking at $195 each we're more likely to sell all 4. But since he's not on this forum, I win!
(But you can pay either $240 OR $195. Whatever.)
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hey mate I'll be in for $195. Just bear in mind I'm in Australia and so would have to organise shipping on top.
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Yikes! Er, I mean, awesome!
Okay, let's see...email me privately, and we'll try to work this out. Thanks!
Ben Oleson
Seattle, WA
ben@zaogardening.com
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Hey, mate, you still thinking about buying my bracket to lower your headlight and speedo? I'm getting a ton of compliments. But I'm still sitting on a couple brackets, I thought I better lower the price to $175. Deal?
Ben Oleson
Seattle, WA
ben@zaogardening.com
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Hey, Muzak, you interested in one of these brackets? I gotta get them out of my garage. I thought I'd lower the price to $175. Let me know.
Ben Oleson
Seattle, WA
ben@zaogardening.com
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I've been thinking of bumping this thread!
So, you've got a couple brackets left, then?
Have you taken anymore "after" pictures?
:PICS!:
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I will try. Not my forte! I could email them easily!
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I will try. Not my forte! I could email them easily!
PM sent
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got it, thanks. Let me know!
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Hey, mate, you still thinking about buying my bracket to lower your headlight and speedo? I'm getting a ton of compliments. But I'm still sitting on a couple brackets, I thought I better lower the price to $175. Deal?
Ben Oleson
Seattle, WA
ben@zaogardening.com
Woah I missed your earlier response, dammit. Have you still any left? I'm still keen.
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Hey, fkpaul, sure! Want to send me an email and we'll work out the details?
ben@zaogardening.com
Thanks!
Ben
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Hey Ben - thanks for getting it all sorted out today. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of said part.
I'll post some pics back into this thread once I've got them installed ;D
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I just noticed this as well from being bumped (don't get on here everyday). Any still available?
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Got my bracket today. Build quality is top notch and it only took about 30 minutes to install.
Installation hint.......If you are installing this bracket on a V7R or a bike with clipons loosen the clipons and swing them forward. This will allow the wiring/cabeling enough "give" to extract the factory bracket and install the new bracket.
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Thanks, Perazzimx14! And thanks for the tip.
fkpaul in Australia, I imagine yours will take longer to arrive but I'll cross my fingers.
muzak, I have one more left, $195 + $20 shipping and it's all yours.
I'm glad this seems to be working out.
Ben
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Ben, rec'd my lowering bracket today and what a PROFESSIONAL JOB ! Will get around to mounting it in the near future, sounds easy ! GREAT PART !
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oooh, I'm looking forward to receiving mine now, thanks zaoguzzi !
It will take 2 or 3 weeks to get here. I'll post pics once done.
Perazzimix... :PICS!:
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oooh, I'm looking forward to receiving mine now, thanks zaoguzzi !
It will take 2 or 3 weeks to get here. I'll post pics once done.
Perazzimix... :PICS!:
Pictures are only going to make your wait longer, but you asked for them!
(http://s14.postimage.org/5p23d0ovx/100_0380.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5p23d0ovx/)
(http://s18.postimage.org/bwtk7ejjp/100_0381.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/bwtk7ejjp/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/s9mfzk0mf/100_0383.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/s9mfzk0mf/)
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;D ;D ;D
Thanks mate. Yes... now the wait begins... :food
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Installed my bracket today. Here are some before (left) and after (right) shots.
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj591/fkpaul/5e1ccc79.jpg)
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj591/fkpaul/0b6fabef.jpg)
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj591/fkpaul/5d10da2b.jpg)
The bracket fabrication is really professional. It's solid and nicely finished. Installation would have been super easy, though mine took a little longer than 30 min as I have some after-market indicators (i.e. metal ones, not the OEM plastic ones) and I had to unwire/ rewire my connector fittings etc.
The clock angle looks just great now, not the mickey mouse ears they used to be. Viewability of the clocks are not adversely affected, though with the idiot lights recessed into the instrument panel they aren't as obvious as when they are in the stock position - not a bad thing... I like it. Also, I need to fiddle a little bit more to get the l/h lower bolt hole lined up correctly, but not a huge deal.
Thanks again zaoguzzi, I'm really happy with the result! ;-T
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fkpaul, digging your V7. What mirrors are you using? I plan to install my bracket this weekend. One mod you might consider to clean-up the handlebar area is the riser/bar clamp from the Breva. It fits the V7 as well. I painted mine black (I have the black Laverda Jotta Clubman bars) and it looks very sharp. Just thought I'd pass that a long.
(http://pinwallcycle.com/ebay/bike2772/355.jpg)
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Nice modification. It does improve the look, and should make the instruments easier to see.
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Hey Muzak
Thanks for the comment about the bike. Thanks for the tip regarding the Breva handlebar mount, I'll definitely consider it ! First I've got to deal with a very frustrating issue with the bike at the moment, its a fueling or electrical issue and I'm bending all my spare attention to its diagnosis and remediation haha. It even has my local Guzzi expert stumped. Ah, the joys of owing motorcycles, even modern ones...
The mirrors I'm using are Tanax Napoleon Baren AA. I'm not sure if they are still widely available, I picked mine up from my local motorcycle shop. I was originally going to go for bar ends like everyone else, but instead opted to go with the more conventional mount as I do a lot of lane splitting/ filtering through heavy urban traffic. While bar ends are great in certain circumstances, squeezing through tight rows of stationary vehicles be not one of them.
(http://118.151.181.34/jp_images/images/catalogue/10656/apa-10.jpg)
Franco
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One more thing Muzak, given you are installing your bracket soon - when I installed mine, I had a wee bit of trouble lining up the bottom right bolt to the fork brace bolt holes. In my efforts I almost cross threaded the bolt.
If you do end have the same issue, suggest you start by centering and bolting the two bottom ones first, and then finish with the two top ones. Just my 2c.
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Hey thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to do it that way the first time just in case.
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Right on, fkpaul, looking sharp!
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I found it a bit like changing a flat tire on a car - you can't torque one bolt all the way down and hope to get the other holes to all line up.
You need to put on all 4 lightly, and tighten them incrementally in a rotation so they all get torqued down equally. (To be fair, I found putting on the stock bracket to be that way as well.)
Hey, I told a couple guys I'd have the second batch by now, but the lasercutting guy is slower than I guessed. Sorry. I am told I will have them in my hand Friday, so I'll be mailing Saturday or Monday if that's the case? Thanks so much for your patience!
Ben
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^
That's what I did, no issues. Everything turned out and looks great. Easy install.
It's one of those mods that no one will take notice it's not stock, but overall it makes the bike look a bit better by creating a horizontal line across the top.
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got some CAD drawings for the curious:
(http://s13.postimage.org/qg95je9zn/Headlight_Backet_ISO_1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/qg95je9zn/)
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Cool!
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I gotta say, having lived with the mod for a wee while now, I love it. Like muzak said, it's such a subtle thing, and only other V7 owners might spot the difference. To me I love those clocks being at a flatter angle, the bike feels 'more classic' hahaha. Thanks again zaoguzzi, good work.
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Ugh. Hey, I need to get these out of my shop! I better lower the price to $175. Which makes me feel weird about a handful of people that had to pay $195 - I don't know whether to say "tough nuggies, that's how it goes" or try to make it up to you or what. Give me a call if you feel screwed.
(I'm working on a fender eliminator next, I could give those folks $20 off that!)
Anyway, if you're on the fence, hopefully this will push you over, I need to wrap up this project and move on.
Ben
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Loving your set up. I noticed that you have the official MG tank pad grips on your bike. Any tips on where I could find a pair?
Oh, and I look forward to your work with the fender eliminator also!
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I tried to send you a PM, but not sure if it worked.
I got the tank grips at Moto International, but I don't think they come through that often. They pulled me aside, like "hey, we got one set of these as a fluke, you want 'em?" Not sure if they are easy to find. They were expensive, too!
I'll keep you posted on the fender elim!
Loving your set up. I noticed that you have the official MG tank pad grips on your bike. Any tips on where I could find a pair?
Oh, and I look forward to your work with the fender eliminator also!
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I noticed that you have the official MG tank pad grips on your bike. Any tips on where I could find a pair?
MG part number 897021. You can order them from AF1racing. US$66.
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Hey, gentleman, it's weird, some folks have had no trouble at all attaching the bracket and others have. Specifically, a couple folks wished some of the holes were slotted, rather than round. I've also figured out that having the holes at fixed points forces the triple clamp plate into a certain position - for instance, it comes from the dealer flush with the top of the forks, but in my case I feel I have better turn in with the plate lowered about 1/2" from the top of the forks.
Anyway, I don't want to be forcing anyone to change their desired triple clamp plate height (and I also suspect Moto Guzzi is not speccing these things out to the gnat's ass - gasp! - I believe there are different measurements between identical stock bikes.) So without trying getting to the bottom of it, and following some detailed advice from Carl Allison (thanks, Carl!) I have lengthened the upper bolt holes on the remaining pieces (well, I haven't yet, but I can in about 20 minutes if anyone orders one.) I want to make sure this is an easy installation job, and I don't want anyone worried about fit.
Happy November, folks, I hope you're all still riding!
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Picked this up from Ben and installed it today. I have a 2011 Classic with clip-ons and it fit great with no issues. Like others had said, it's made insanely well - looks factory.
Thanks Ben!
BEFORE:
(http://s8.postimage.org/mu2ndxoj5/photo_15.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mu2ndxoj5/)
AFTER:
(http://s9.postimage.org/48agdcnhn/photo_13.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/48agdcnhn/)
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Awesome, Ryan!
I rattlecanned my headlight bucket black, but your photo makes me want to go back to chrome. grrr - it never ends...
Ben
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Ben, do you have any of these brackets left?
Thanks,
Steve
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Ben, do you have any of these brackets left?
Thanks,
Steve
Steve,
Check out the classifieds. He has them listed there.
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Steve,
Check out the classifieds. He has them listed there.
Looks like on ebay as well...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V7-Classic-gauge-headlight-lowering-bracket-/200833405132?fits=Model:V7|Make:Moto%20Guzzi&hash=item2ec29a90cc&item=200833405132&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V7-Classic-gauge-headlight-lowering-bracket-/200833405132?fits=Model:V7|Make:Moto%20Guzzi&hash=item2ec29a90cc&item=200833405132&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr)
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Sorry, guys, I've been slammed at work at haven't been able to check out the forum!
Steve, bear with me, I saw your post, I'll get back to you in a day or two.
Yeah, that Ebay ad is mine, although it hasn't yielded a single sale.
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Hey, since the moderators said the photo uploader was down, we had to use a photo hosting site, which I'd never used in my life. I guess it's not rocket science, but I don't brave new technological frontiers very often.
Anyway, I randomly picked Shutterfly, because I wanted post some pictures of a new fender eliminator I was trying to sell on another thread, and in very short order I had what looks to me almost like a real website! (Maybe not to you, but I am easily impressed.)
So it's finally a good place to compile the various photos of this gauge lowering bracket in this thread. (Photos that I haven't really managed very well up to this point...) And thanks, moderators, for pushing me out of my comfort zone and making me learn about photohosting sites! Who knew.
http://v7cfendereliminator.shutterfly.com/pictures
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Hey, because folks have different heights set for their triple clamp plates, that caused about 30% of you to need the mounting holes in a different place. (If you didn't want to move your plate.)
We are in the third batch of product now, and that problem has been addressed. I replaced the hole with a vertical slot, to accomodate various plate heights relative to your forks. You may have seen earlier in this thread a couple guys had to drill out new holes (thanks, guys, sorry) but that won't come up anymore.
The ad is in the classified section, or just contact me:
ben@zaogardening.com
206 595 2793
$180 plus shipping
shipping is $15 in the US, or more overseas, call for a quote
Thanks!
Ben
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Thanks Ben!
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Anyone have their stock headlight bracket that they want to get rid of?
email me ryanwburke@gmail.com
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I sold my V7C and my stock headlight bracket is buried in a box in my storage unit. The new owner really wants the stock bracket. I told him I'd post here to see if anyone would want to swap their stock bracket for this lowering bracket straight up. (pic of my red V7C above)
He's also taking off my TP clip on bars, CRG bar end mirrors and cafe clutch cable to return it to stock bars. Might be a good opportunity to score some good parts...
email me if you're interested and I'll put you in touch ryanwburke@gmail.com
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Ben,
I found your fender elim. kit on ebay and I'll be ordering one here in a bit, looks perfect for getting rid of that chunky giant lurking underneath the seat of my 2012 v7 racer. Thank you for that nice clean design. I looked at your shutterfly pics of your v7 classic... did you keep the stock tail lights/turn signals on yours? With the seat off it looks like two wires on your bike to splice, no? You said starting from scratch could be a project but it looks pretty easy. I don't know.
On a related note, your instrument/headlamp lowering bracket is quite nice as well. However, I like the cheesy fairing/numberplate with the number 7 on the front of the bike. And I'm ok with where the headlamp sits. I do think the instrument panel sits too high and I'd like to lower mine. Question: could I mount your bracket and lower the instrument panel but leave the headlamp where it is and keep my fairing on the bike?
thanks,
Chris
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Anyone have problems removing the top Allen bolts on the bracket?
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Anyone have problems removing the top Allen bolts on the bracket?
Julohan,
Use a ratchet wrench with hex sockets. With those, it becomes easy.
Joe
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Ben,
Would this fit a 2014???
Ed
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Just installed mine this morning, and figured I'd add a few notes.
1. The mounting tabs are not on the new piece to mount the the shroud that goes around the ignition switch
2. You'll need a very small zip tie to mount the temp sensor to the new bracket (I ended up using a temporary twist tie).
3. If you want to take the extensions of of the directionals, you'll need 2 shorter bolts.
4. The Dart flyscreen will work, but the "stops" on it won't work, so it will rest against the instrument cluster. I'll be adding a small piece of foam insulation against the cluster to keep it from rubbing.
All in all, it's a great addition, thanks Ben!
Ken
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/ksiegel7/2009%20V7%20Classic/V7011715-1_zps4acac128.jpg) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/ksiegel7/media/2009%20V7%20Classic/V7011715-1_zps4acac128.jpg.html)
I'll have to make a new ignition switch surround, as this one is now too small.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/ksiegel7/2009%20V7%20Classic/V7011715-3_zps9ed2f5c2.jpg) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/ksiegel7/media/2009%20V7%20Classic/V7011715-3_zps9ed2f5c2.jpg.html)
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I made a new filler plate that fits between the triple clamp and instrument cluster. I just need to find the proper black sheen to repaint it, and I'm also going to add a cig lighter outlet and move my voltmeter and CHT sensor to it in order to not make it look so barren.
Ken
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/ksiegel7/2009%20V7%20Classic/V7filler_zps4fb5d485.jpg) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/ksiegel7/media/2009%20V7%20Classic/V7filler_zps4fb5d485.jpg.html)
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Wow, Ken, love the shroud! Looks great. Did you ever add the cig outlet?
Ben