No plastic on V9 Bobber?

[Guzzidad]

   I guess for the most part that's true. But today I opened the headlight and was surprised the bucket is plastic. The reason I opened the headlight is I'm chasing down a metalic noise that sure sounds like valve noise. But a thorough inspection under the valve covers revealed nothing. It only happens when I'm moving. I've had both wheels off the ground to spin them and they feel good. Tapped all around the exhaust but can't replicate the noise. I'll just keep riding it and it will reveal itself eventually.

[Dirk_S]

Headlight bucket is the same as the one on the V7 III…if you’re talking about a pre-E5. So I imagine the E5 V9 and V7 also share the same buckets.

But come now—there’s plenty of plastic on them—the starter motor guard, the corner lights, tail light, gauge bucket, I believe. But those mudguards sure feel quality.

Hope you figure out your metal noise!

[Kev m]

How are the floating disc bobbins?

When they get really loose you can hear clicking from vertical suspension movement.

[Guzzidad]

    checked the bobbins. They're fine.

[bad Chad]

The gage bucket on a v9, at least mine is steel.   Compared to almost all other motorcycles, there is not much plastic on a v9. 

Fenders, steel
gas tank, steel
gage bucket, steel
side covers, steel? definitely metal
headlight bucket ring, steel
Wheels, alloy

As said the starter cover is indeed plastic, toss it away!

[Vagrant]

If it has heat shields check them.

[faffi]

Seriously, for non-structural parts like fenders and sidecovers and seat pans etc., I see no benefit of using metal over plastic. Plastic will not rust, will not corrode, will not easily dent and usually weighs less than metal parts. Which is why BMW used plastic fenders and side covers and more from the late 60s on their motorcycles.

[Kev m]

Seriously, for non-structural parts like fenders and sidecovers and seat pans etc., I see no benefit of using metal over plastic. Plastic will not rust, will not corrode, will not easily dent and usually weighs less than metal parts. Which is why BMW used plastic fenders and side covers and more from the late 60s on their motorcycles.

Though I agree with you intellectually, there's something emotionally satisfying about metal on a bike. Call it a nod to the past, I dunno. It gives me warm and fuzzies.

That said it's arguably ridiculous as you point out.

So what's dumber, metal bodywork on these bikes or the carbon fiber on my Carbon Dark to save all that weight over plastic.   

[Dirk_S]

I get that plastic has its benefits, but I was fond of walking all over ON TOP of my Ural when I had it—and that included all three steel mudguards. Can’t do that on plastic (or aluminum)