Aluminium Bash Plates
 

Hi all,

I am a relatively new xtr owner, I got my 2011 white xtr new last December. Since then I have been reading and learning (mostly through this forum) about different mods are available... Mods so far are:

Stain Tune Slip ons
Michelin T-63 Tyres
Stage 1 and 2 DNA air filters
Power Commander V
Custom mapping (thanks to Fred at Pro Cycle Dyno)
Acerbis Rally Pro Hand Guards,
Touratech Gear Lever,
Touratech Brake Lever Extender (en route),
Metal Mule Radiator shield (en route)
and... the most disappointing of all an OTR aluminium bash plate (which I ordered early Jan and only showed up a week ago).

The bash plate is killing me. First off it didn't really fit - so I had to go to the dealer to get it put on and they had to bend it to get it to fit but the more frustrating part is that it has made the bike so, so unpleasant to ride. Its like having a resonant bell attached to the bottom of the bike! It emits a nasty mid range pitch even when the bike is just running at idol. If I push my boot up against it it does drastically reduce the vibration and noise but obviously this is not a "fix".

I guess I am just trying to work out if all aluminium bash plates do this? Or if it is just the OTR one given that it is at the cheaper end of the spectrum?

I have searched the forum and there are a few posts about it... some guys seem to be able to get a slight fix with the use of rubber washers, I've also been told to try spring washers? If I knew for sure another brand that didn't have this problem I would happily toss this one in the trash and upgrade. However I can't seem to find a clear answer.

Other brands I have looked at are:
touratech - they do say "vibration free" on their website
B&B - i called them and they say they do line it with rubber to help with the vibration - can anyone out there vouch for this?
metal mule - ?

Any help on this would be much much appreciated!

Cheers,
-Brad.

The sound probably has 2 causes: vibration of the bash plate itself and the engine noises that are now reflected upwards by the aluminium bash plate.

Using rubber washers would probably cure most of the vibration caused noise, but not the additional engine noise. I have known people that cured the engine noise with gluing foam for soundproofing marine engines on the inside of the bash plate. Any other sufficiently durable and heat proof foam should work as well.

If you want to get rid of all the additional noise I'd go for a combination of both the rubber washers and the foam.

Thanks for the reply. It seems more the vibration noise that is bugging me. As I mentioned its not too bad when I hold my boot on it. However this marine foam sounds an interesting option... Do you know where I could look for something like that? Or perhaps a brand or what the actual name of the product is?

As for the rubber washers would i have to put them at all points where metal is touching metal? I.e. on the inside and outside of the bash plate?

The B&B bash plate on my XTR came with a block of foam rubber to fit between the plate and motor... tryed it with out it to start with..the plate rung like a bell... then put it in... silent..
I have the XTZ plate on my XTR as I have a high pipe on it..

The B&B bash plate has rubber panels glued to it to reduce reflected noise.
You could try some rubberised sound deading material used in automotive triming or just glue some rubber to it.
As for anti vibration washers, try making some out of cheap plastic cutting board.

Cheers,

Shane.

Thanks for the info... So over all you have minimal vibration/noise out of the B&B plate? Sounds like this rubber/foam is the trick. I just need to find out where to get it! I should have gone with the B&B!

How's that 22 Ltr tank working out? I was just looking at the pictures you put up in you're thread... I'm hoping to do some trekking around oz to the territory the tank looks like a good idea!

Thanks shane. Do you know where I could get these materials? for rubber washers I have just picked some up from home hardware from the plumbing section? I've asked a few places but people seems pretty confused when I explain what I am trying to do (probably I'm not explaining well).

Does your plate make any noise? Or has the rubber/foam supplied by B&B done the trick?

Cheers ,
-Brad.

the tanks good... getting around 500km from it..
But it only has about 20L of useable fuel..any fuel
below the pump can't be used....
i filled it up for a ride the other day... done 400km
the fuel light hasn't come on yet..

If you still have low pipes..compress a length of radiator
hose between the motor and plate... fit it between the pipes..
it should/would be able to handle the heat from the pipes..

Hi Brad,

For the rubber sheet you just go to Clark Rubber or a similar place, use about 2mm thick rubber. I will check if mine is 2mm or 2.5mm and get back to you.

The cutting boards are just the cheap $2 shop one and have many uses in the workshop, try to get ones 3-5mm thick.

If you need help getting a Gilli-Moto tank or fitting mounting etc just give me a yell or if you want to see one in person.

My worst fuel consumption still gives me 320km before the fuel light comes on with my tank, so a safe 400km is no probs at worst.

Cheers.

Shane.

Interesting tip... I'll try this combined with the rubber!.

Thanks.