Aftermarket bash plate for KLE and rear disc guard - Horizons Unlimited

**Ghosty_SLO** · #1 27 Nov 2012

Hey!

Well it is almost winter here at my place and I haven't been riding for a month. But I have been searching the web for aftermarket upgrades and possible winter projects. While searching I came across a South African company that sells aftermarket bash plate for 06 KLE500 called SSS Racing. The bash is made out of 3 or 4.5mm aluminum.

I have tried to get them to reply my e-mails on the price but I had no luck so far. This is how it looks

More info on the bash plate: SSS Racing - Kawasaki Bikes - BASH PLATE for KAWASAKI KLE 500 2006

Overall it looks very nice and if it isn't to expensive it would be a good substitute for the stock butter one.

They also make a rear disc guard which has inspired me to make my own CAD Drawing over the next couple of week and get it made instead of buying it.

Link to more info on rear disc guard: SSS Racing - Kawasaki Bikes - SHARK FIN for KAWASAKI KLE 500 2006

Cheers!

**leonator** · #2 29 Nov 2012

Hey Ghosty

I have also tried to get some information from these guys but never heard back...i think i am going to get one made here in Aust. Its a shame cause that is a pretty good looking bashy. Hope you have more luck.

**Ghosty_SLO** · #3 1 Dec 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonator

Hey Ghosty

I have also tried to get some information from these guys but never heard back...i think i am going to get one made here in Aust. Its a shame cause that is a pretty good looking bashy. Hope you have more luck.

Well a mate from SA (wilddog forum) got in touch with them and got this info:

Quote:

Just spoke to Fred Allen from SSS Racing.
Bashplate: R1190 103€~$134 conversion by Google
Sharkfin: R420 36€~$47 conversion by Google

Prices in South African Rand of course.

Did not ask about shipping to Europe.

Also I have been working in CAD a bit today and this came out:

And some 3D in carbon and stainless steel

Still have to make a cardboard model and test fit it to the bike before I finish the design.

**leonator** · #4 9 Dec 2012

sweet, but 130 euros...damn thats not excatly cheap. I have been CADing away too. Thought i could design my own bashy. Alas my CAD skills leave much to be desired. Thanks for the info! If i did want one, how would i go about ordering?

Cheers!

**Ghosty_SLO** · #5 9 Dec 2012

I got a reply on my mail:

Quote:

We ship for SSS Racing. As follows:

3mm Aluminium ZAR 1460.00

4.5 Aluminium ZAR 1750.00

Shipping ZAR 680.00 +-10 days

ZAR 1.00 = EUR0.0862

Payment by PayPal.

Regards,

Colin Gallop

colin@bigdogs.co.za

Big Dogs - Motorcycle Parts & Accessories

110 Foundry Road, Silvertondale, Pretoria, RSA

Contact: +27 83 655 2826

Banking Details: Brightwing Technologies

Standard Bank, Acc: 411295675, Code: 012345

Hope it helps!

**leonator** · #6 11 Dec 2012

thanks Ghosty!

**leonator** · #7 26 Dec 2012

Hey Ghosty

did you end up getting a bashy? Im still thinking about it.

Cheers

**Ghosty_SLO** · #8 26 Dec 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonator

Hey Ghosty

did you end up getting a bashy? Im still thinking about it.

Cheers

Hey!

I was tempted to get one, but adding the costs up it was a bit to much for me at this moment. I am still thinking of either buying one or making my own template from cardboard and get it made locally. The reason I didn't go ahead and buy it was the need for new riding boots, after 8 years I relly had to change them. I went with SIDI Charger boots, so no more money left for the bash plate.

Cheers

**leonator** · #9 29 Dec 2012

ahh there is always something else isnt there? I have spoken to an aluminuim welder in Melbourne, aust. He said to make one similar to the one above would be around 200-300 depending on thickness.

Thats a damn sight cheaper than 200 euros. Ill let you know how i go.

Cheers Ghosty

**Ghosty_SLO** · #10 29 Dec 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonator

ahh there is always something else isnt there? I have spoken to an aluminuim welder in Melbourne, aust. He said to make one similar to the one above would be around 200-300 depending on thickness.

Thats a damn sight cheaper than 200 euros. Ill let you know how i go.

Cheers Ghosty

Is that only the cost of welding or designing it to? If you would design it yourself and buy your own material and only get someone to weld it, it probably wouldn't be so expensive??

**leonator** · #11 29 Dec 2012

that is including materials and welding. They did not want to give a quote until i have a design for them to see. I guess i could buy the alu too and cut it out but i think it might be best left to the professionals. It is the only think between my motor and rocks after all...

**svestenik** · #12 30 Dec 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonator

that is including materials and welding. They did not want to give a quote until i have a design for them to see. I guess i could buy the alu too and cut it out but i think it might be best left to the professionals. It is the only think between my motor and rocks after all...

Well, I will try to make my own, using AlMg3 4mm plate. It should provide quite a bit more protection than standard while still being light enough. One thing only, I will try to avoid welding, since it is the single most expensive procedure in this project.

I will let you know about expenses when I finish project.

**leonator** · #13 1 Jan 2013

Hi svestenik!

That sounds like a great idea. Do you have experience with alu? I am very interested in hearing about how you go. I have done quite a bit of metal work but mostly with steel and only a touch of Alu. Its so easy to turn a piece of nice alu into usless rubbish/scraps. Maybe thats just one of my talents...

Please let us know how you go svestenik! Good Luck!

Leon

**Ghosty_SLO** · #14 1 Jan 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by svestenik

Well, I will try to make my own, using AlMg3 4mm plate. It should provide quite a bit more protection than standard while still being light enough. One thing only, I will try to avoid welding, since it is the single most expensive procedure in this project.

I will let you know about expenses when I finish project.

Well if you look at the above pic of the bash there are only four ~10cm long welds.

Happy new year, be safe on and off the road!

**svestenik** · #15 2 Jan 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonator

Hi svestenik!

That sounds like a great idea. Do you have experience with alu? I am very interested in hearing about how you go. I have done quite a bit of metal work but mostly with steel and only a touch of Alu. Its so easy to turn a piece of nice alu into usless rubbish/scraps. Maybe thats just one of my talents...

Please let us know how you go svestenik! Good Luck!

Leon

I will do the measuring and CAD drawing with technical specs. Working with Alu wil be left to a local company which has cnc laser cutter and a machine for precision bending.

I have worked with them on several other items for my KLE, and I know that they will do a good job.

And it is not expensive, since I will provide them with CAD drawing, which makes up most of item pricing. Some months ago, I made a new luggage rack for KLE, also using 4mm AlMg3.

Dimensions were 42x36 cm, and with their material, cutting and bending, it cost me 37 Euro.

Purely theoretical extrapolation based on that experience says that bashplate, which has 2x more material will cost about 2 times more. So, I expect to pay less than 100 euros for it.

Regarding welding, ongoing rate fo alu welds, here where I live is 5 euro per 1 cm of alu weld... So a couple of 10cm welds will cost me something like 80 euros for welding... I will do something with rivets instead. Something like touratech did with bashplate for Yammy XT 660Z.