Topic: Playing with a rear cowl design.

[Ravie]

The seat I bought for the bike has this little...tail on it. It's kinda ugly and it doesn't cover the rear hoop or the wires running from the tail lights. So I decided to play around and come up with a design to cover it all. Something easily detachable that covers the silly bits.

I wasn't sure how to terminate it at the front/bottom...so i just curved it there. I didn't want it to cover all of the leather on the back which is why that deep V is there...it matches the shape of the "tail" to some degree. I just didn't want a moisture trap underneath.

I figure I can get some aluminum and just shape this by hand. It was made from a single flat piece so it is just a matter of matching the radius and bending it.

Thoughts?

[Don R]

 You might be able to leave a tab to bolt to the shock or turn signal mount. Just a thought, or a dzus button on each side, that would look racey.

[Ravie]

Yeah those little tabs you see sticking out are over the grab bar mount bolts. Don't think I'll go that route unless I can do some sort of stud with a chrome wingnut or something.

[seanbarney41]

I like where you are trying to go with that.  Might look at some sport bikes that have removeable cowls...cowl on?  solo seat....cowl off? two up.  That open V on the top looks kinda goofy imo.

[Ravie]

I agree. I think it could easily just follow that top edge contour like the sides do and look much better. I suppose I could put some thin closed-cell foam there to keep moisture out.

[Davez134]

I like where you are trying to go with that.  Might look at some sport bikes that have removeable cowls...cowl on?  solo seat....cowl off? two up.  That open V on the top looks kinda goofy imo.

I second this. The shape looks great, lose the V and go straight across. Good idea man, I like it

[ChopSticks]

Love the idea, just curious what does the stock setup look like?

[Ravie]

Okay, fixed the V. Here is what it looks like under there.

[Ravie]

Ryan - use rivet nuts installed into the grab bar/frame, then a button head cap drew with a fender washer to bolt the cowl to the bike. Clean, smooth and quick detach.

But I think I would have to change the design to cover the grab bar for that kind of attachment. I suppose I could make a few tabs that come out and just make them rounded on their tips so they look ok. I'll mess around with it.