My bike doesn't like tags...

[SergioK]

So far, after taking delivery of my 02 11S, she's been quite adamant about not liking California license plates. She's on her third one! I got home today to discover that she was summarily rejecting this one as well. The first one just rattled completely loose. So, on the second one I locked everything down, okay, I went too far and overtorqued a couple bolts. I ended up with metal fatigue on the main piece that held the license plate bracket.

This third rendition, I canabalized the oem bracket along with the rubber bushings yet I think I did a little too much canabalization since I ended up with, yet again, metal fatigue...






Tomorrow I'm gonna have to do a bit of fabbing with that aluminum stock that I used on the HP2S radar mount. Any suggestions for added structural integrity while permiting sufficient flex to not cause metal fatigue?

[AZ-Twin]

The only advice I can give is don't listen to Lightfighter. He lost his plate in Moab off the GS, and I had to stop him this past weekend when the plate was falling off his DR. I think he has the hotts for the chick at the DMV.

(like there is a "chick" at the DMV )

You might consider rubber mounting the plate bracket, I think there is considerable vibration back there. I had the plate on a bike (xt-500) crack once because of vibration. I have a home built plate bracket on my Ducati and R12S and they are both rubber mounted. No issues on the Ducati, BMW bracket is new so time will tell.

You can get rubber grommets at ACE hardware that work good.

[lightfighter]

oddly enuf, the plate that twin saved for me was attached to the DR650 with the R1100S bracket that I replaced with a trimmer piece.

and it broke in the same place yours is broken!

[chewie]

+1 Rob, I have rubber grommets that sit inside the holes and then small metal sleeves go through the rubber grommets. Maybe spring washers with nyloc nuts if all else fails or an interstate plate perhaps

[hirsty]

Nyloc nuts, and less force.

[IvanTT]

Zip ties?

[Guest24]

Just put it in the tank bag and explain the the officer that your bike don't like being just another number, Serg.

[SergioK]

Ya, I've got nylock nuts on all the bolts, plus I used the rubber bushings / grommets that were on the oem bracket. I'll fab something up and post a pic... I like the input from my pelican bros. Ivan, zip ties, freakin genius. I'll pass that tip along to our nasa friend, silly engineers are wasting our tax dollars by not using them on spacecraft.

Chewie, I'll see if I can get one of them Caliarizoni plates.

[OwenM]

I have a solution; get rid of that vibrating HP2 and get a nice smooth running R1200S and you won’t have any problems with plates falling off.

[signit98]

What are you talking about, Serg??? Arbi is masterful in astudely applying his frugality to Motorcycle technology... remember the Arizona Exhaust Can Extension?... or the subsequently following progression of the NASA Special in Oakhurst?

Those are well in line with Ivan's ingenuity!

Actually, I should show you what I did... simple, works well (on the 11) and never lost or broke a thing!

Owen, it's his 11S thatr's acting up... but I believe it's just jealous of the HP2S... that's why it's been crying for attention... like the $2K clutch job and such...

[SergioK]

Owen, the HP2S' engine is the smoothest I've ever ridden. In fact, doesn't feel like an 85 year old design at ALL! Now, my 11S, which is having the tag issues, is a completely different animal.

So, I fabbed up some aluminum stock. I'm not asking for tire/type pressure recommendations, nor if I should go with dino/synth and I'm good in the tread dept too. Just wondering where/what I can do to add some vibration damping.

[signit98]

Sergio, if you take out the cushions and screws and get some rubber silent blocks, you are golden!

You know, the rubber thingies with screws on top and bottom and rubber in between... I have a ton of them from the 748 I dismanteled!

[OwenM]

Me thinks you took my post too seriously.

[SergioK]

See, proof positive that my coffee hasn't kicked in yet.

[jduke]

Red Locktite

[SergioK]

So I picked up two of these from McMaster Carr. I think they'll do the trick to dampen vibes out thus abating metal fatigue.

Thanks Ralf for the suggestion.

[bill pierce]

I used some aluminum plate and stock BMW rubber grommets with steel inserts. Then I put a small LED to light the plate.

[SergioK]

Bill, I went with a simple L bracket (pic posted above). I have some grommets but the difference with these from McMaster is that they are not connectd internally.

[wswartzwel]

Originally Posted by IvanTT

Zip ties?

+1

you are spending too much time on something that has a simple solution Sergio