Skid Plates, but not which one....

clutchcover · Post by **clutchcover** » 09:25 pm May 26 2005

I have a different kind of skid plate question. With all the different makes and types, answers make vary I guess. I recently made a steel skid plate for the old 200. Used 1/8" sheet metal, fabbed up some ugly clips and bolted her up. It's not the prettiest, or lightest, but it's near indestructable. My question is, whether anyone else gets an amplification of sorts of all of the notorious kdx noises. The first time I lit it up, I thought my bike was going to hell in a handbasket. I had to pull the skid plate ooff twice to make sure it wasn't just my imagination. The clutch being the noisiest, and followed closely by the sewing KIPS. Is this just my makeshift skidplate, or do all the skids out their have a similar effect? Maybe I worry to much. Anywhoo,

Post by **Indawoods** » 09:34 pm May 26 2005

Yup... reflection...normal!

IdahoCharley · Post by **IdahoCharley** » 10:03 pm May 26 2005

Second Yup... You will adjust to it over a few rides. May be a good thing actually once your ears are adjusted to it: It will make "strange" new noises louder/easier to hear.

Colorado Mike · Post by **Colorado Mike** » 10:30 am May 27 2005

I've heard of people stuffing foam in there, mostly to keep mud from building up and increasing weight. It might lessen noise though. I would be a little concerned about increasing heat. Mine has always had the plate on it though, so I don't notice the engine noise. Mine is some kind of hard aluminum and it really makes a loud "crack" noise when rocks hit it. Scares the crap out of me sometimes, sounds like the rod blew through the motor or something.

layoutd · Post by **layoutd** » 10:40 am May 27 2005

i am fabricating a skid plate from an old street sign. do you have any pics of yours?

m0rie · Post by **m0rie** » 10:45 am May 27 2005

What did you use for clamps to mount the skid plate to the frame?

canyncarvr · Post by **canyncarvr** » 11:23 am May 27 2005

If you're making your own...or installing a new one..or have an old one...

(that about covers it?)

I drilled a hole under the shift lever so I could access the fastener through the plate. I replaced the hex bolt with an allen head, too.

That fastener may come loose (mine has once or twice), and being able to tighten it in seconds vs: minutes (if you have to take the plate off) is a good thing.

Yeah...you can usually get to it from the side..but that may well require the use of a 12pt. box-end wrench. Chances of rounding off the bolt head? Pretty good!

I don't recall any noise increase with the plate on. Sometimes ignorance and oblivion is a good thing!

KDXer · Post by **KDXer** » 04:27 am May 30 2005

That explains why my Katie was chattering abit louder... Good work guys... Cheers

clutchcover · Post by **clutchcover** » 10:17 pm May 30 2005

Thanks for the input everyone. My skids not pretty in the least. I'll post some pics of the plate and clamps if I get a second.

89kdx200rdr · Post by **89kdx200rdr** » 04:10 am Jun 03 2005

put a pipe guard on thats a hole different new noise

89kdx200rdr · Post by **89kdx200rdr** » 04:12 am Jun 03 2005

morie i think it was 1 1/8" conduit clamps that came with mine

m0rie · Post by **m0rie** » 10:07 am Jun 03 2005

Thanks, 89 that sounds about right.

jafo · Post by **jafo** » 09:57 pm Jun 05 2005

My skid plate came with a different kind of foam for a cavity filler to keep mud from packing betwen it and the trans case. Mine does'nt make any kinds of noise, sounds just like it always has.

Jon.

layoutd · Post by **layoutd** » 06:55 am Jun 06 2005

i would still like to see some pictures of someof your skid plates. i have mine about half complete, just need to look at some different ones

clutchcover · Post by **clutchcover** » 06:51 pm Jun 10 2005

Here's a couple pics of my skid. Still in refining process. I used bent pieces of angle with a nut welded to them for the back clamps, and for the front I bent a piece of flat bar to fit over both sides of the frame. Then tapped them for the bolts.

m0rie · Post by **m0rie** » 08:43 pm Jun 10 2005

Looks good to me clutchcover.

Post by **Indawoods** » 08:48 pm Jun 10 2005

Looks tough as nails!

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Skid Plates, but not which one....

Skid Plates, but not which one....