Triumphrat

rustbucket · 05-30-2006

I was wondering if anyone knew of an online location where I could source a good material to make a radiator guard out of. I've trolled the local hardware stores & Home depot, and other that screen door mesh and chicken wire (both would bother me aesthetically, and not provide much protection), couldn't find any good candidates...

I'm also looking for an online place to by misc hardware and nuts and bolts - I need a couple of items that aren't all that common, and the local spots didn't have them...

Thanks!

Lance-S4 · 05-31-2006

I did some research a bit back and decided my efforts at making my own would probably be more costly than buying a prefab'd one. Here's a link for one that fits an S3. Assuming the rad is the same size and you won't need the oil cooler guard which looks like it's held on by a couple bolts.

Linky!

-Lance

rustbucket · 05-31-2006

Yikes! That is not cheap. I was hoping to source some of the grill material, and either ghetto-mount it with zip-ties or make my own surround...

Help?

Lance-S4 · 06-01-2006

Head off to your local machine shop (look in yer phone book). They will probably have a heavy grill type metal that they can cut for you to shape... come to think of it, I think I'll check into that on my days off. Let me know what you find.

Anyone else?

[ This message was edited by: Lance-S4 on 2006-06-01 08:05 ]

Joe-Dirt · 06-02-2006

Mikes Grilles might be worth a look.

Lance-S4 · 06-02-2006

Those look pretty sweet. Better with the cowls if you got 'em. Figure $100 USD to get them on yer bike. Rustbucket might be able to hand fab is own still for less. I'm curious to see what he finds. Bucket...bucket...anyone...bucket?

-Lance

rustbucket · 06-03-2006

Still here :razz: . My cage sucked up all my funds for the next couple of weeks by dieing a couple of days ago, so my project is on hold...

I'll be exploring options next month. And kicking myself if I take a rock to the radiator before then!

Jwilly · 06-03-2006

Mcmaster-Carr sells a plethera of SS expanded metal. I friend that I work with has fabed his own for his '06 S3 and it looks great.

rustbucket · 06-03-2006

I just visited that site, and I think my girlfriend will be very unhappy that you ever pointed me that way! I have a feeling I'll be receiving a lot of boxes that say McMaster-Carr on them...

I'm liking the oval or hexagonal perforated sheet metal in aluminum, or the expanded mesh in stainless. I'm also planning to make a grill for my car out of this material - probably anodized/powdercoated black for the car, and left silver for the bike. Now I need to keep trolling McMaster for a good surround material.

I'm in DIY geek heaven :-D

[ This message was edited by: rustbucket on 2006-06-03 14:01 ]

Jwilly · 06-04-2006

Right on. If there is something that your looking for I bet they sell it.