Simple mods for newbies

[Treborb]

After looking at SuprXnTxn's post about his ride, I saw he didnt do the plate mod.

So, for all the new klr riders on the board that may not have run across this mod, here goes:

First, it doesn't cost anything and may save your license plate from being bent or possibly torn off, especially if you like to do wheelies on your bike.
All you have to do is move the plate up so it mounts from the bottom of the plate holes rather than the top. You will have to bend the top of your plate forward a little so it will slide up in place but, thats it.

If anyone can think of any other simple and easy mods they have done to their bike that you have seen or heard about lately, you may want to post it for the new folks.
Bob

[Bakelite]

Great minds think alike. I posted some pics of some easy mods, one shows the license plate moved up where it should be.

[Treborb]

Bake...

I saw that and I wondered if I should have posted mine under that heading????

I think people get the point.

Stopped by the hardware store on the way home and picked up a piece of plexiglass and cutter to make my headlight cover. Should cost all of $6 or less.

The KLR is kind of like a grown man's erector set or lincoln logs, its almost limitless how you can mold and mod it. Whether you make it yourself or by the aftermarket.

Bob

[Pinky]

If you move the plate up, will the light still shine on it enough to keep the police happy? Also wondering about the "hangy downy thingy" that the plate connects to, its kind of goofy looking. Can the assembly come off the fender frame? I think the bike would look better without it, mount the plate on the bottom of the fender, and replace tail light with an after market universal tail light. Has anyone tried this? Pictures anyone?

Just a thought.

Brian

[ZRod]

Yea Pink, scrap that silly plastic plate that mounts the license plate. Move the mounting bolts to the lower license plate holes and the top of your plate stuffs nicely under the plate light.
It does obscure the very top of the plate a bit, but only if your standing right behind the bike.
Oh, and I think you would be hard pressed to find an aftermarket tail light that looks as cool as the stocker IMHO.
Rod

[Iwannaride]

I figured out that if you stick a stick on mirror you cut out 95 percent of the vibration. I have convex right now, but keep meaning to stop at a glass shop so they can cut me some regular mirror glass. Stick it on w/ some good double sided tape and the difference should be clearly visable *yes, pun intended* (drum roll in background)

[Dan311]

I removed my light and moved my license plate up, it fits perfect. I know I may get stopped but I'll just have to bullshit my way out of a fine!

[Treborb]

Dan,

You say you removed your light?

I didnt do that. I just bent the top of my plate so that it fit into the space behind the light. You do cover the reflector in the back, but I figure thats minor compaired to losing a plate.

[Dan311]

I removed the reflector too. That's right - I'm a rebel!

[Judjonzz]

I relocated my plate to the bottom holes. Just had to bow it a bit to get it to fit up under the light. Then a couple of days on jeep trails in the Bighorns and the K270 crunched the inner fender. Don't f*ck around, just mount the plate on the fender below the taillight. Use a dremel to take the inner fender off flush with the outer. Then you won't have to relocate it again.

[BlueSamurai22]

Hung my plate by the lower holes on the plate. It covers the reflector but the plate is still lit. I put some reflective tape on my back fender to make up for the covered reflector.

Not too many officers will write a money ticket for just a plate light but it's a good reason to stop someone. You may also find yourself getting a break on that speeding ticket or other moving violation but taking the small hit on the plate light. (You can only give someone so many breaks)

You should have your plate lit up to stay legal and avoid any unecessary "curbside counseling" by your local P.D. (You will also be a little more visible at night)

[Sc00byd00]

Thanks for the advice. Great idea.

[SuprXnTxn]

hey those are some good ideas fellas!! when i get back to the states...i'll have to try that....but right now the KLR is sittin in my pop's garage not gettin ridden

[Nev]

I drilled some new holes in my plate a little bit up from the bottom holes and mounted it like that so I didn't have to bend it. I took that reflector off and chucked it. If you really wanted reflectors you can use those license plate bolts that have reflectors for heads. I didn't bother though.

[David K]

Bluesamurai22 hit the nail on the head regarding modications etc. and enforcement attitudes. I took a different route rather than mvoing the whole thing, and I only go onto the ocassional dirt/gravel road anyway, I mounted a piece of aluminium benind the plate, and put two bends into it, away from the bike, and left enough at the bottom to create a "mud flap " ...the whole thing looks like a squashed " T " ......S/S lock nuts and shortest bolts , complete it, and it stays well away from the rear wheel, at least for what I use the bike for . Catches the chain lube thats throw off pretty well before the PX wears it ! ...... David K

[ZRod]

Speakin of cheap mods, besides license plates, I sure am glad to have been tipped off to the tool tube mod!
Thanks to all that talked me into it.
In addition to allowing me to store my tire tools and other stuff, it has saved the tank and shrouds half a dozen times in my scooters short life.
It also gives highway peg options to change foot positions.
10 bucks,
Rod

[Worm~Hole]

Originally posted by bluesamurai22
Hung my plate by the lower holes on the plate. It covers the reflector but the plate is still lit. I put some reflective tape on my back fender to make up for the covered reflector.

Not too many officers will write a money ticket for just a plate light but it's a good reason to stop someone. You may also find yourself getting a break on that speeding ticket or other moving violation but taking the small hit on the plate light. (You can only give someone so many breaks)

You should have your plate lit up to stay legal and avoid any unecessary "curbside counseling" by your local P.D. (You will also be a little more visible at night)

...here in my jurisdiction an equipment violation is usually a 'fix-it' ticket...fix it before the due date and get it signed off...small $10~$15 admin fee, I think...

...I've gone and mounted my license plate using the bottom holes of the plate...the plate light illuminates it and I'll be sticking a 3M reflective square over the bulge on the green fender ...if a cop wrote me up for it being less than optimum, then I'd say the cop is being a chicken shit hard ass (but not to their face of course), but it is Probable Cause to stop you and perhaps 'discover' other things...I should know...I wear a badge (*enter Dragnet theme music here...you know the one*)

[David K]

When "pulled over" in the past, I'd rather have had the coupon than the embarrasmnet ....can't plead ignorance can you ? David K.

[Worm~Hole]

Originally posted by David K
When "pulled over" in the past, I'd rather have had the coupon than the embarrasmnet ....can't plead ignorance can you ? David K.

...yes you can...sometimes...will it work?...sometimes...

[fledglingme]

that was the first thing i did to my bike, mostly because it didm't cost anything to do. it's been up there for three years now and, since i don't ride on forest service trails as much any more, it's not as important to do. still, i like it up there- makes the bike look like a klr than the stock position..is that possible?