Magnets to mount racing number plates as side covers

[MechMessiah]

My bike didn't come with side covers and I have no interest in paying $50 or more for used ones on ebay. So my plan was to do racing number plates. Basically going for the same look as this Honda.



I'm not really sure about the best way to mount them however. I was thinking about using magnets, but when I went to buy some I discovered there's a lot I don't know about magnets. I just had no idea what I was looking for. If anybody could give me a idea of what to use for this application I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm also open to other mounting methods if there are other suggestions. Thanks in advance!

 

[sam000lee]

I use neodynium magnets (N52 grade) to sew into tank bags I make. They're strong...dangerously so. I use the 1/8" by 1.26" diameters ones - they are rated at 18lbs and it's pretty tough to separate two that are stuck together, strong enough for my uses.


Here's where I get 'em - scroll to the bottom for the larger diameter ones:

http://www.magnet4less.com/index.php?cPath=1_11

They also carry magnets with holes in them which may be useful for your application.

 

[Guest]

Some people have used industrial grade velcro to hold side covers on. The heavy duty stuff is very stout and will easily do the job and will last years with the number of times side covers have to come off once a bike is sorted.


Mark

 

[bccap]

I use rare earth magnets to replace the broken stud I have on each of my side covers.........

 

[tom203]

I'd just use a bolt thru the existing front mount (for the stock sidecover's pin) and run it thru your racing plate with a fancy knob. You might not need anything at rear, but maybe a magnet to keep it from flapping .

 

[80GS850GBob]

I'd add this much....strong magnets will hold well enough to not easily pull apart...but...they will slide apart. You'd want some sort of solid indexing point{s} to keep the covers from sliding off. If your top mounts are the same as my bikes, you can make a pair of top plates that are mounted {bolted/riveted?} onto the number plates, then use a magnet on the bottom mounting point.
Just a suggestion.

 

[Steve]

Before you get too gung ho with your project, make sure that a flat number plate will actually fit.

Some bikes have things that stick out a bit past the frame, which is why the stock side covers have curves and bulges in them.

.

 

[MechMessiah]

I use neodynium magnets (N52 grade) to sew into tank bags I make. They're strong...dangerously so. I use the 1/8" by 1.26" diameters ones - they are rated at 18lbs and it's pretty tough to separate two that are stuck together, strong enough for my uses.

Here's where I get 'em - scroll to the bottom for the larger diameter ones:

http://www.magnet4less.com/index.php?cPath=1_11

They also carry magnets with holes in them which may be useful for your application.

Thanks! That's all really useful. If the 18lbs rated magnets work for your tank bag I should easily be able to use a couple less powerful ones to hold the 10oz number plates on.

 

[MechMessiah]

Before you get too gung ho with your project, make sure that a flat number plate will actually fit.

Some bikes have things that stick out a bit past the frame, which is why the stock side covers have curves and bulges in them.

.

I already have the plates and they fit just fine. They're really only covering the battery box and air filter box. Both of which have nothing sticking out on my bike.

 

[MechMessiah]

Thanks for all the info & suggestions! I should be able to get these mounted now and have this bike looking more respectable.

 

[Guest]

...a bit of wind catches an edge....
Road Worker - "I found a funny oval frisbee with a number & some magnets on it"


Zip Ties. - I hear the green ones are the strongest.

I can't believe there's not some app where you can take a picture of your side cover on your phone
then print a 3-D replica from a 2-litre plastic bottle 10 mins later.