Topic: Removing VIN Plate

[KC_Northstar]

I would like to paint my frame and therefore want to remove the VIN Plate.  Looks like I would have to drill
the heads off the rivets to get it off.  What kind of rivet could I use to put it back on after painting??

[Harsh]

Before you go drilling, take a jewelers file set to the head of the rivet.  File a flat spot then use a center punch.  A 1/8" drill bit is all you need to drill out the shank.  Be careful though because small bits like that will break easily inside the neck.  There was a member here that has some rivets, but for the life of me I can't remember who.  I will dig through my messages and see if I can figure out who it was.

Oh yah, under the plate you will find some glue so you will need to take a sharp razor blade and slowly slide it underneath the plate so you don't bend it to hell.

Found it...NOMAD hooked me up with a few rivets.

[KC_Northstar]

Thanks Harsh.   does it take a special tool to install the rivits, or do you just pound them in?

[Harsh]

You just tap them in.

[jamesb]

On one of my bikes I think you can tap them out from the inside they where just like the old bicycle head tube badges before you start drilling and filing take apart the front end and look and see is you can see the rivets sticking out on the inside if so try tapping on them to push them out. If it works then all you do is tap them back in

[phil71]

if you're really fanatical, you wont be pleased with the look of the replacement rivets. I usually put painters tape on them, that stuff holds up to blasting just fine.
If you're not fanatical, a rivet is a rivet.

[Xnavylfr]

To tell you the truth , the to remove the rivets  you slowly drill just the HEAD off and drive the shank through the hole with a 1/8 pin punch. You can find some 1/8 pop rivets and a pop rivet gun ( at Northern Tool/ Harbor Freight). The PIN actually pulls completely through the center of the rivet spreading it wider causing it not to fall out. We used millions of them in aviation.


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[cougar]

KC ; If your only painting the frame and aren't going to Bake it on, I would just very carefully tape over your VIN tag. If I'm not mistaken the factory rivets aren't like regular rivets, they look more like a pin with a larger head where regular rivets (the ones I'm used to) will have the pull post going through them that snaps off when tension is enough and a Picky cop who knows a thing or 2 will be able to tell that they aren't factory. This might make for some or a lot of questions and maybe even impounding your bike till all of his questions are answered. Just a thought.   ...cougar...

[KC_Northstar]

Thanks guys!   That certainly gives me all the info I need and NOMAD is sending me replacement rivets.

KC

[trueblue]

On my bike, they were more like a nail than a rivet, I just got a pair of really good quality pliers and pulled them out, then a razor blade to seperate the plate from the frame when I refitted it I reglued it and just tapped the rivets into the holes.

[Harsh]

Thanks guys!   That certainly gives me all the info I need and NOMAD is sending me replacement rivets.

KC

Good news.  Nomad is a pretty good dude.

[Cqyqte]

You can buy those rivets from any reasonable fastner store, they are called "Drive Rivets" .  They look like screws with steep angled threads.  You simple drill a slightly undersized hole in the neck and tap the rivet in.  The spiral threads bite into the sides of the hole and hold them tight.

They come in various sizes and if you only need two usually the store will give you some samples no charge and send you on your way. 

[phil71]

maybe in canada... here they charge you double

[nomad]

Here' what I got.  I couldn't find these in stainless in the size I needed around here so I had to buy a box of 100 online.   

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=85533.msg963112#msg963112

[phil71]

wow, they're the real deal! awesome to know MMC has them

[CycleRanger]

On one of my bikes I think you can tap them out from the inside they where just like the old bicycle head tube badges before you start drilling and filing take apart the front end and look and see is you can see the rivets sticking out on the inside if so try tapping on them to push them out. If it works then all you do is tap them back in

Bingo!  You can usually tap them out from the inside far enough to grab them with some good needle-nose pliers and work them out.

[jukku]

I levered the rivets gently out with a nife, then I heated the vin plate gently and removed it with a razorblade. I reused the the rivets.

[Harsh]

On one of my bikes I think you can tap them out from the inside they where just like the old bicycle head tube badges before you start drilling and filing take apart the front end and look and see is you can see the rivets sticking out on the inside if so try tapping on them to push them out. If it works then all you do is tap them back in

Bingo!  You can usually tap them out from the inside far enough to grab them with some good needle-nose pliers and work them out.

I am not sure that applies to all bikes.  On my 74 there is a double wall on the neck.  I initially looked into seeing if it was possible to do it that way and the inside of my neck is completely solid.

[CycleRanger]

I am not sure that applies to all bikes.  On my 74 there is a double wall on the neck.  I initially looked into seeing if it was possible to do it that way and the inside of my neck is completely solid.

Interesting. I was able to do it on my XL250 and CJ360.
You are probably right, I ground the heads off the rivets on my K5 and redrilled the holes for larger rivets.
I tried to be a little smarter with the other bikes.
Now I'd consider grinding as a last resort, if other methods fail.