License plate went south... or north, or west, or east

[jjg3]

Almost home from work, stopped at a parking lot to meet a guy who was selling a new-in-the-plastic Stebel Nautilus with wire kit for $20 from CL. After exchanging money/horn we started talking about DR650s (we both have, the Stebel is for the DR) and other bikes. As I was getting ready to go I notice the license plate and IBA plate back are gone! I've never lost a license plate before! It was on there as good as I've ever put one on. Is this something I was suppose to be checking? Anyway, ordered another that should be here in a week or so and it gave me an opportunity to order a custom plate (09NOMD). Will ride on the DR plate until the new plate gets here. Maybe I'll use loctite next time!

[cactusjack]

Maybe your old one didn't fall off? Maybe someone stole it.

[jjg3]

Thought that for an instant, but I park in a guarded basement parking garage and all the other riders are pretty stand-up guys. I've left the key in the ignition for the past 10 years (a Bonneville America and then an R1100RT).
http://images52.fotki.com/v1553/photos/6/962226/10903737/P1020896-vi.jpg

[mobandy78]

I'm with CJ on this one... That was my first thought. Maybe it wasn't taken at work? Could've been swiped somewhere else and you just didn't notice.

[ringadingh]

My daughters boyfriend has his plate stolen at the mall on Sunday, It only takes one person.

[Monkeyman]

I've got my plate rigged up so that it would probably get mangled beyond use before it could be removed (unless you know what you're doing...or you tear up the back of the bike). I will gladly sell my secret for....................$7k. :D

[AlabamaNomadRider]

There is a lot of vibration and things loosen up but I doubt this is the case with yours. Probably taken somewhere else and you just happened to notice. That is the first thing I notice every time I ride. Never hurts to check for loose screws, bolts and nuts.

[Monkeyman]

I already know I have a screw loose and I'm a nut. Just leaves the bolt. :D

[jjg3]

Appreciate the suggestions and comments. I get on the bike in my garage and get off in the garage at work. The only chance for someone to get to it would be at work or when I'm stopped at a red light. I really think it vibrated off, I just need to be watchful of things vibrating loose. thanks all.

[jestephens]

I'd say put the new one on with Nylon lock nuts or something of the sort. - On my Vaquero, I've broken a plastic lic plate frame from the vibrations. I think the plate mounting is exceptionally susceptible to vibrations, if not also amplifying them. - On the next plate, I put screws in all four holes and all have lock nuts.

[jlreeves]

We had the plate taken from our bike and a trailer at Thunder Beach one year. Because the theft happened in FL and I had to report it in GA, it was a major hassle.

After that I decided to use security screws from JimmyJammer (http://www.jimmijammer.com/Product,%20Plate%20Keeper.html) on all my cars, trucks, bikes and trailers.

[cnc]

I'm sure this isn't the case, but when I was riding bikes in my youth it was common for the plates to viberate and crack from metal fatigue leaving the bolts behind and maybe a bit of the plate. It might have been the type of material used for the plate or the vibrating back then. It was common practice to bolt them to a steel backing plate.
I never had a problem with the bikes I've had lately but I use four bolts and a billet frame.

[ringadingh]

Ive held my plate on with 3M two sided body tape, it holds extremely well with no bolts at all. You will bend the plate trying to remove it hastily.

[Loafer]

Use a lock washer.

http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/ehow/images/a06/jh/4c/common-uses-lock-washers-1.1-800x800.jpg

[ray2]

I'm sure this isn't the case, but when I was riding bikes in my youth it was common for the plates to viberate and crack from metal fatigue leaving the bolts behind and maybe a bit of the plate. It might have been the type of material used for the plate or the vibrating back then. It was common practice to bolt them to a steel backing plate.
I never had a problem with the bikes I've had lately but I use four bolts and a billet frame.

That is what happend to my first plate. I cut down a old mouse pad to the size of the plate and used it for backing no trouble after that.

[recumbentbob]

I've got my plate rigged up so that it would probably get mangled beyond use before it could be removed (unless you know what you're doing...or you tear up the back of the bike). I will gladly sell my secret for....................$7k. :D


The check's in the mail.................:P

[Monkeyman]

So's the secret. :D