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Old 01-15-2007   #1 (permalink)
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Hey everyone. One of the main things on the Thruxton that had been bothering me was the stock gauge pods. They seemed too large and textured plastic stood out as cheap against the better looking metal bits. I thought about getting the chrome gauge pods that can be found on some websites but again, I didn't care for the stock shape of the pods, don't care much for chrome, and didn't want to pay $100 to change the pods. I really like the look of the old Bonnie's gauges and my original intent was to make some pods that would be closer to that size. After measuring it didn't seem possible to significantly decrease the size of the gauge pods from stock due to all the wires and such on the gauges. What is pictured below is my solution:





I am extremely happy with the way it turned out. The metal is a brushed stainless steel and has a black plastic insert. The new pods fit very nicely. I cut the metal using a saber saw (I think that's what it's called). The hardest part was doing the cutting. Was difficult to keep the gauge pods still when cutting and not crushing them in the vise. The cuts aren't completely perfect but they can't be seen anyway. Basically just followed the cut outs on the stock gauge pods and kept test fitting, filing, drilling, etc.. untill I got it right. The new pods aren't as deep as the stock ones and don't let the gauges be completely tightened down but should be adequate, only like 1mm of play. The new pods will also be more areodynamic than the stock pods giving the bike the ability to hit 170mph :clown:

If you're interested in getting some different gauge pods that look great, are inexpensive, and have a different shape than stock, I highly recommend doing this. If you're curious as to what I used, I purchased two thermos from Walmart, $14.50 a piece, and used the top cup part as the gauge pods. So now, I have new gauge pods and two thermoses :wink: Total cost of the project was $35 after purchasing some saw blades.

If anyone is interested in having me make them some, send me a pm or email me: mjmoonwalker@hotmail.com If there is enough interest, I may try to contact the company that makes the thermoses to see if I can order just the top cup/cover part to lower the costs.





Shane
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Old 01-15-2007   #2 (permalink)
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Those are bitchin!!!

What I have noticed their are very few of us whom are willing to take a chance at something new and that has never been done before. With this I would like to comment that being part of a Cafe bike world you should rarely see two alike, and if you do then somethings got to go.
I hope that everyone can learn a bit form this thread and better understand to be different is to be different not just different from the Harley or Rice Rocket down the street.

Good Job - luv them.

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Old 01-15-2007   #3 (permalink)
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Quote:
On 2007-01-15 17:14, Whitehurst wrote:
I hope that everyone can learn a bit from this thread and better understand to be different is to be different.
Does that mean that I can wear my chaps on our next ride? :hammer: kit:

JOHN
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Old 01-15-2007   #4 (permalink)
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Go ahead. I will bring my friend that likes chaps on men, maybe you guys willhit it off :lollol:
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Old 01-15-2007   #5 (permalink)
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That's a helluva good idea there OldSkoolFool............would you recommend having them clearcoated? :jest:

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Still, it's a great idea.
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Old 01-15-2007   #6 (permalink)
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Very clean, very original, and I want to copy them, do you have a model number for the Thermos. What about using some kind of black ring between them & the mounting plate so you can snug them dow abit more ?

Excellent idea.
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Old 01-15-2007   #7 (permalink)
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Bravo!
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Old 01-15-2007   #8 (permalink)
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Very nice indeed.
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Old 01-15-2007   #9 (permalink)
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those look much better than stock, and they look much more expensive than they really are.

Good work.
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Old 01-15-2007   #10 (permalink)
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Similar idea, but made out of stainless canisters. I do like your rounded ones better.-T1
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