Vaquero side cover project... Need your help

ZZVaquero · 02-06-2013, 10:12 PM

I am working on building a custom side cover for my Vaquero. I had installed the Thunder MFG kit, and that left the left side of the engine wide open... And I don't want to use the factory piece.

So, as I begin my winter project, I need to build this piece first. Now I need your help. I have developed two different sized pieces, and I want to know what you guys and gals think looks better.

Both will be flat black powder coated, and will have a cool symbol cut into them, and lit from behind. They will probably blend in pretty well as I will be removing all chrome anyway. Both will have spacers so that they stick out from the engine just slightly, and will appear about 1/2in thick, so they have a beefy look to them as well.

The first one is a smaller sized triangle with all equal length sides. Smaller and cleaner, but doesn't follow the lines of the engine exactly.

The second was designed to fill as much if the gap as possible.

I would love to hear your thoughts... I will try to keep this thread updated as I build. Maybe build a few for other folks?:)

napom · 02-06-2013, 10:14 PM

I'd be interested in whichever one you don't use! :-)

**Jared** · 02-06-2013, 10:21 PM

Perhaps something like what Jay came up with? http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31300

Rotoman40 · 02-06-2013, 10:26 PM

The larger one is more fits space better so looks better. Would love to see what design you put in it.

ZZVaquero · 02-06-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Perhaps something like what Jay came up with? http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31300

That is how I got the idea, but I am not too fond of the bottom of that piece.

ZZVaquero · 02-06-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotoman40

The larger one is more fits space better so looks better. Would love to see what design you put in it.

It does fill it in a little better... Just wondering if it is too big? Or does the clean fit make up for it?

I honestly don't know which route to go.

Rotoman40 · 02-06-2013, 10:42 PM

I do think its a little large but the smaller one doesn't look right. I think once you cut design out it will take some of the largeness away.

**ringadingh** · 02-06-2013, 10:49 PM

I like the second one better, the first one doesn't look proportioned just right.

ZZVaquero · 02-06-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

I like the second one better, the first one doesn't look proportioned just right.

Thanks... It is equal length sides...not really built to fit the gap of the engine.

talon · 02-06-2013, 11:13 PM

The second one looks better and follows the lines more than the small. All things you already noticed yourself though. :)

**jestephens** · 02-06-2013, 11:14 PM

I wouldn't think it needs to be 1/2" thick though. Mine is 1/4" and rock solid (that's what she said)
I agree with Rotoman40, once the design is cut, it will have a more finished look.

ZZVaquero · 02-06-2013, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jestephens

I wouldn't think it needs to be 1/2" thick though. Mine is 1/4" and rock solid (that's what she said)
I agree with Rotoman40, once the design is cut, it will have a more finished look.

Oh no... I am not going that thick, just rolling the edge over making a lip on it so it appears that thick. I think I am going to pick up some aluminum tomorrow and try that route. Who knows.

Old Bear · 02-07-2013, 10:09 AM

I'll vote twice! I like the second one, the way it matches the lines of the engine.
Now when is production starting, and do we get to pick our logo?

ZZVaquero · 02-07-2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Bear

I'll vote twice! I like the second one, the way it matches the lines of the engine.
Now when is production starting, and do we get to pick our logo?

I am building these by hand... So it takes some time.
As far as logos... I don't know how many different versions I will be able to cut out, but I am sure I could come up with a few standard options.

How much do you think folks would pay for one of these? I have one full day, maybe more into each one, plus the cost of parts.

ZZVaquero · 02-07-2013, 03:18 PM

Just an update of what I finished so far today...I only had a few hours to dedicate to it today.

I finished the outer triangle piece, and also cut the acrylic for the backside. I fit them together so that the backlighting will also have a border with a fiber optic effect. You can see that in the second picture. I am planning on adding a second piece of sheet metal to sandwich the acrylic in the middle and finish off the appearance.

I also made a bracket to secure the bottom of the triangle. It will make sure there is no vibration making it come loose or rub on the engine at all.

Let me know what you think... I am doing this all by hand and with simple tools, so hopefully it looks good. In person it is very clean and fits great.

02-06-2013, 10:12 PM	#1
ZZVaquero Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 98	Vaquero side cover project... Need your help I am working on building a custom side cover for my Vaquero. I had installed the Thunder MFG kit, and that left the left side of the engine wide open... And I don't want to use the factory piece. So, as I begin my winter project, I need to build this piece first. Now I need your help. I have developed two different sized pieces, and I want to know what you guys and gals think looks better. Both will be flat black powder coated, and will have a cool symbol cut into them, and lit from behind. They will probably blend in pretty well as I will be removing all chrome anyway. Both will have spacers so that they stick out from the engine just slightly, and will appear about 1/2in thick, so they have a beefy look to them as well. The first one is a smaller sized triangle with all equal length sides. Smaller and cleaner, but doesn't follow the lines of the engine exactly. The second was designed to fill as much if the gap as possible. I would love to hear your thoughts... I will try to keep this thread updated as I build. Maybe build a few for other folks?:) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-06-2013, 10:14 PM	#2
napom Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: VA Posts: 566	I'd be interested in whichever one you don't use! :-) __________________ 2011 Voyager ABS Thunder Air Kit Power Pro Cobra Tri-Ovals Wrapped Header Pipes Heat Deflectors (from ebay) CB/Rear Speakers Avon grips with Throttle Magic by RACNRAY Shiny Chrome stuff Michelin Commander IIs Kury T/S Mirrors Sagebrush Design tank bib w/pouch Russell Day Long Seat w/Backrest Lots of Miles and Many More Smiles! Blue Knights - Virginia II Ride With Pride
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02-06-2013, 10:21 PM	#3
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Perhaps something like what Jay came up with? http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31300 __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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02-06-2013, 10:49 PM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I like the second one better, the first one doesn't look proportioned just right. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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02-06-2013, 11:13 PM	#10
talon Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Van Buren, AR Posts: 462	The second one looks better and follows the lines more than the small. All things you already noticed yourself though. :) __________________ Heath Cady aka "Talon" VBA #01416 2012 Vaquero SE Candy-Lime Green/Black aka "T'Kehla" 2005 Nomad 1600 Black/Silver aka "Mystique" (SOLD) 2006 Vulcan Classic aka "Lil'Wolf" (SOLD) "Life isn't a race; no one gets out alive. May as well slow down and enjoy the ride."
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02-06-2013, 10:26 PM	#4
Rotoman40 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: South Bend IN Posts: 89	The larger one is more fits space better so looks better. Would love to see what design you put in it.
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02-06-2013, 10:42 PM	#7
Rotoman40 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: South Bend IN Posts: 89	I do think its a little large but the smaller one doesn't look right. I think once you cut design out it will take some of the largeness away.
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02-06-2013, 11:14 PM	#11
jestephens Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis) Posts: 1,601	I wouldn't think it needs to be 1/2" thick though. Mine is 1/4" and rock solid (that's what she said) I agree with Rotoman40, once the design is cut, it will have a more finished look. __________________ Jay Stephens, Former National Vice President (2013-2015) 2006 Yamaha FJR1300 formerly 2011 Vaquero- Black formerly 2005 Nomad - black/silver
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02-07-2013, 10:09 AM	#13
Old Bear Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 1,434	I'll vote twice! I like the second one, the way it matches the lines of the engine. Now when is production starting, and do we get to pick our logo? __________________ Jerry "Old Bear" Barker Clarksville, TN Americas Guardians PS MC President, Tennessee 16-A VBA #02203 "Blaze" 2017 Vaquero "Black Magic" 2011 Vaquero, 69k miles, handed down to my son for hopefully many more miles!
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02-07-2013, 03:18 PM	#15
ZZVaquero Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 98	Just an update of what I finished so far today...I only had a few hours to dedicate to it today. I finished the outer triangle piece, and also cut the acrylic for the backside. I fit them together so that the backlighting will also have a border with a fiber optic effect. You can see that in the second picture. I am planning on adding a second piece of sheet metal to sandwich the acrylic in the middle and finish off the appearance. I also made a bracket to secure the bottom of the triangle. It will make sure there is no vibration making it come loose or rub on the engine at all. Let me know what you think... I am doing this all by hand and with simple tools, so hopefully it looks good. In person it is very clean and fits great. Last edited by ZZVaquero; 02-07-2013 at 03:49 PM.
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