license plate holder- an idea
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license plate holder- an idea
I know everyone hates that license plate holder/fender that hangs down on our bikes. I have thought of an easy product that could get rid of that and let us have our license plates on road, and totally hide it when we decide to go off road.
Couldn't someone take a spring with a metal piece attached to it that would hold the plate itself, put the two together and mount them to the underside of the rear fender, when mounting leaving room for the license plate to fold up into the flat portion of the fender where it comes down toward the rear. It would then fold down when we ride on road, and once we're off-road, flip it up and it would be hidden under the fender. It would just be a spring that would lock in place both ways at a 180 degree swivel. Just an idea, but I think it would work. Is there already something out there like that? I really want my subfender gone but don't like the acerbis license/taillight holder and don't want to just mount it on the rear lip of the fender. Thanks, Travis
Couldn't someone take a spring with a metal piece attached to it that would hold the plate itself, put the two together and mount them to the underside of the rear fender, when mounting leaving room for the license plate to fold up into the flat portion of the fender where it comes down toward the rear. It would then fold down when we ride on road, and once we're off-road, flip it up and it would be hidden under the fender. It would just be a spring that would lock in place both ways at a 180 degree swivel. Just an idea, but I think it would work. Is there already something out there like that? I really want my subfender gone but don't like the acerbis license/taillight holder and don't want to just mount it on the rear lip of the fender. Thanks, Travis
Da dirty moderator
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,584
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: license plate holder- an idea
i was thinking of mounting the plate on the luggage rack so it was no wear near the tire, you could do the same thing mount it so it swings up for the road, and lays flat on the rack for off road, for those of us without a pelican case. or mount it to the case...
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,269
RE: license plate holder- an idea
Here's how I did mine. Cost = Free. Note - no ugly under-fender monstrosity. I did retain the license place bracket off that thing, though, and just drilled a pair of holes in the fender plastic and mounted it and the plate just below the tail light. The downside is that you no longer have a license plate light, which happens to be required in my state so I need to make up a few white leds or something to pass inspection when that comes up next year.
Edit: fix image link
Edit: fix image link
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RE: license plate holder- an idea
That does look better nobrakes, but I want the option to swing it up and totally out of the limelight when not needed. My idea would mount the contraption exactly where you mounted yours but it would be mounted on the underside of the fender on a spring that would flip down when on road, and up under the fender when off-road. It would be so convenient. When folded down, it would resemble yours but with the ability to be flipped up and out of the way. I'm surprised no one has thought of this before. I wish I was an engineer.
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RE: license plate holder- an idea
here's what I've come up with so far. I have been researching spring types, and it seems like a torsion spring would be the best suitable spring since it provides torsion in two different directions. I've thought about using a large door hinge like is on a newer front door to a house. Somehow mounting the spring onto the hinge and mounting the hinge to the underside of the fender. The hinge would provide the pivot action and the spring would keep it up or down. Can anyone see what I mean? Maybe it's simpler than I originally thought.
Da dirty moderator
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,584
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: license plate holder- an idea
Why not just mount it on top of the fender? That way you dont have to worry about flipping it down to go back on the street, personally i know i would forget about it and get busted, i think i am gonna mount mine on top of the fender, that way its out of the way and dont have to worry about if its up or down. All the crap kicking up from the tire will hit the plate if its underneath. Just some food for thaught.
Your Humble Moderator/Admin
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Washington
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RE: license plate holder- an idea
The reason I went with the new tail light and fender mount is that it looks great, but also I wanted the plate to have a light. It only takes one cop with an eye for this kind of stuff to mess your day up. The install was easy, Gravy and one other person here has done the same mod, it's one of the best changes I did. I just wish I would bite the bullet and get the exhaust and carb work done. Hmmm I do have the Kawasaki card and could get it done at the same time I get the valves checked. Maybe.
