Securing Bike panels etc.

[gareth]

My current ride is an 1985 v65 Sabre, really nice, full fairing, 10k from new.. This is the daily ride while the SF is in perpetual tweaking/ restoration mode. It's nearly done though, until I can find something else to do to make it "better".
I went to pick up plates for the Sabre on Thurday at the local DMV. They were stolen from the bike while I was at lunch on Friday. While I was reporting the "theft" to the Po-Po at the local precinct house, someone stole one of the fairing covers. From right outside the jailhouse. Jeez.
Maybe the guy really needed a hondaline left fairing cover. Maybe he was just wondering if it would come off.
So I spent a few moments seeking to understand...I know I don't live in an ideal world. It is still way better here than it was in the late 'eighties when we were practically expected to tie our shoes to our ankles before we went a strollin' in NYC...

So I am looking to fix the remaining plastic stuff to the bike in an elegant, but secure way. This is going to be even more important when the XS hits the mean streets. Anyone seen a neat chrome fitting that would take a cable that could be attached to the bike frame? Something that might allow some access to behind the panels but not allow them to actually get too far from the bike? Something better looking than zip-ties?

Something that will stop the expensive and increasingly irreplaceable plastic stuff on our bikes from flying off at speeds from full-stop to zero MPH?

Gareth.

[barberad]

Anything you could or would do is only a deterent, momentarily at best. I don't know exactly how the side covers mount on the XS, but on the maxims there are two "pins" or stand-offs. You could drill small holes thru them and put cotter pins in them from the inside if the bike has simular mounting points. At least it would stop someone from just walking away with them easily. Besides an alarm or a Rottweiler, You just can't stop dishonest people. Good luck.

[bikerphil]

fake alarm

Mabye put one of those flashing red LED's somewhere visable on the bike to let people know (or think) that it is armed. JAT

[Pat Kelly]

For theft deterrent, not much is going to work satisfactorily. If it is secured when it normally it wouldn't be, then the thief will destroy it trying to steal it. You would still have to replace it.
To secure side covers from disappearing during a ride try this. Get 2 swivel connectors used for fishing. Attach one to each end of some stout fishing line that will reach from one cover to the other across the bike. Hook a swivel to each cover and they won't fall off. Easy to detach for maintainence (or to show off your new fuse box). If a cover does come loose it will dangle there until you stop and reattach it.

[3Phase]

Really need to deter thieves?

Get one of these panels for the mothership (click for FX):



Folks will probably be tripping it just to see what it does but it'll make it a lot more noticable when someone does try to steal anything.



Regards,

Scott

[gareth]

Not sure that I really want to give anyone ten minutes to stand back and see what happens. It's a bit different tampering with a spaceship. It's not like you can just stroll across the street to what happens when the spaceship owner shows up and sees that his pod-bay door has been removed. This btw is always a fun situation when you pretty much suspect that the giggling morons across the street did the deed..

Maybe something that said "Taze-a-Skank".

"Come back to your bike and SEE the bad guy twitching on the pavement"

" Go on, Dum Dum. Touch it!!!!"

[3Phase]

You know how difficult it is to find O.E.M. parts after just a few centuries of fro+++zen sleep.
Blame the P.O. for installing a cheap aftermarket 10 second timer!


Yeah, I've had gigglers swipe stuff before.

Tazing would be loads of fun until lovely Rita takes a hit from it downtown chalking my tire.
If I was very lucky I'd only have to put her great-great-grandchildren through the academy.

It's still a fun idea!


Regards,

Scott

[ClarkGriswald]

Im gonna have to go with those flying orbs from the phantasm movies.. Now thats a security system. Im thinking it would come up with a suitable punishment for the level of offense. Spinning blades or if they actually managed to remove part of the bike.. they can just burrow into ya and fly ya around.. Gotta love those things..

[mro]

"Taze-a-Skank"

To bad that ain't legal


mro
BTW, XS side covers will not come loose on there own if the top brackets are adjusted properly.

Also you can not get 79 special side covers off when there is an 80 special seat on it without removing the seat first. Sides of seat hang down just a little too far.