FINALLY going to replace the stock Neck Plates this weekend

[matcom]

but have a feeling it is going to be a pain.

have to remove BOTH seats AND "drop" the gas tank down to get to the bolts. HOPEFULLY will have my "bike-neighbor" help out but not sure yet.

will take before and aft pics.

wish me luck! :hi:

[ThomWV]

1. Make me smarter ...

What are neck plates?

[guitar man]

2. I think that's what he was talkin about

in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=393x614

[matcom]

3. That's them

don't worry. The parts guy at the dealer didn't know what they were called either :rofl:

[ThomWV]

4. In the Harley world those are called "covers" and they make the company rich

No kidding. Here is the Harley way to great wealth (for Willie G. that is, not your or I). They make the bikes look pretty enough but there are lots of parts that Harley guys like to have chromed. Harley guys are just like crows, any god dam thing that shines catches their attention; its like a 2-year-old and an animal cracker - but back to the point. So Harley makes all those parts you want chromed in chrome as well as the dull version they stuck on the bike you bought. But they will be more than Happy to sell you the chrome replacement. When you see the price you will quake. No shit, that is exactly the word, you will 'quake'. However in their infinite generosity Harley also usually make another part that you can bolt on over top of the dull part they put on the bike in the first place. These are the Harley 'covers' and they are everywhere. Most of the chrome you see on any Harley rolling down the road is probably covers. They have frame covers, neck covers, primary covers, tool box covers, oil tank covers, control covers. Now don't get the impression that these covers are particularly cheap. They are not. What they are is cheaper than the actual part if you buy it in chrome. Here's an example, a chrome sprocket costs about $150 but you can get a cover for it that looks exactly like the chrome version for about $50. So you and me buy one each and Willie G. gets to light another cigar with a $100-bill. It is pleasing to know that Yamaha is getting into the same business.

Now you have to decide if I was being factious or not.

[matcom]

5. LOL!

well these don't bolt over the top, hence the need to unbolt and "drop" the tank. They are 100% chrome replacements that set me back $49.99 (a deal if you ask me).

I'll take before and afters. Hoping the weather holds out on Saturday for me to make the 'upgrade' :D

[HamstersFromHell]

6. Ah, the very cause of my very favorite motorcycle related expression!

One of my club brothers back some 30 years ago built this absolutely beautiful Panhead old school chopper. Straight leg rigid, low tunnel sporty tank, horseshoe bag, 8" over wide glide with 8" risers and drag bars. All finished in a stunning candy red.

After riding it one year, he tore down for wintertime. Took the engine over to the local ace wrench, who overhauled it completely.

Upon reassembly, everything was just fine. Till the urge hit to make it prettier. Not satisfied with a chrome cover for the oil pump, my old bro took the oil pump apart and sent the outer cover off to the plating shop. Well, the plating shop, not knowing just what it was they were plating, did an exemplary job of making it very shiny. My bro bolted it all back together and went out riding...about 20 miles worth before the engine seized. Seems the plater didn't apply the plating evenly to the entire surface...the inside part had a variance of a few thou...thicker in the middle. When bolted in place, the extra thickness of the plating caused the oil pump gears to bind once it got warmed up, snapping the oil pump key and starving the engine.

When he took his newly trashed almost new engine back to have it overhauled again, Ray (the wrench) just looked at him, grinned and told him:

I guess you know now...chrome don't get ya home!"