Skid plate

Aug 13, 2009
362
56
Wayne, MI
Due to the low ground clearance of the tike, today I built a skid plate for better protection of the oil pan. I managed to rip out the oil pan plug last summer so today decided it was time to do a preventive mod. With the design I came up with I can still access the oil filter and change oil without taking the skid plate off. Attached are a couple pics of the damaged pan and the new skid plate mounted.
Larry
 

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Larry nice job! You know I'll want one. I have bottomed out a few times loading on the trailer and every time I pray. It just touches on something.
 
Well I haven't done that yet but as we all know stuff happens and it only takes once to spoil your day and perhaps several days after. Great job Larry. How many bolts to mount it? Four I would guess.. If and when you are ready to put them out there I sure would be interested. I see you have a mud flap on the rear of the front fender did you through bolt that in order to mount it? Just curious.
 
ouch!! makes a guy think about those speed bumps. make up a few thousand of those . people are going to want them. (including me after seeing that pan.)
 
thanks for the interest in this skid plate guys. I do intend to get more made up but for now want to do further testing to ensure the design is right and if it needs tweaking more before offering them for sale.

Currently it uses the two footrest bolts up front and one bolt at one of the center stand tabs at the rear. I don't think two is really needed at the back but may add a second after evaluating further. The pan is 16 gauge steel because that is what I had on hand plus the fact that my hand break is only capable of bending up to that thickness. I should know later if that is heavy enough.

Any other suggestions are more than welcome too.
Larry
 
If your trike has a raked front end it does lower it a little. When you add in a speed bump or too great a breakover angle while loading on a trailer, you risk hitting the oil pan drain bolt, it's the lowest point under the bike.

Why would three wheels make it bottom out but two wheels don't?

Does the kit lower it? - If so, how / why?
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Ragtop69gs</strong>
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<div class="message">If your trike has a raked front end it does lower it a little. When you add in a speed bump or too great a breakover angle while loading on a trailer, you risk hitting the oil pan drain bolt, it's the lowest point under the bike.</div>

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</div> I took some measurements this morning concerning ground clearances. If you have running boards the rear support bar that clamps to the frame measures at 4 3/4" from the lowest part to the ground. <br />
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Up front both the crash bars and the skid plate measured out at 5".<br />
The Hannigan kit does lower the bike at the rear and when adding in a raked tree it'll be lower than stock bike. When it's all said and done the Hannigan trikes end up with about 5" of clearance. Keep in mind that even 2 wheelers will vary their ground clearances and levelness in height due to air in the shock, lowering kits or leveling links added.<br />
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I want to do further testing before offering them to other. but at this point feel the design is pretty much set. If anyone is wanting one let me know and I'll put you on a list.<br />
Larry
 
Unless the price is waaaay out of line, which I'm sure it isn't, please add me to the list!!

Wow, I just keep buying more and more from you! LOL

What else are you going to invent that I can buy from you?

craigr
 
Unless the price is waaaay out of line, which I'm sure it isn't, please add me to the list!!

Wow, I just keep buying more and more from you! LOL

What else are you going to invent that I can buy from you?

craigr
How are you set for a trailer hitch if intending to pull a trailer? I make those too.
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Carbon_One</strong>
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<div class="message">How are you set for a trailer hitch if intending to pull a trailer? I make those too,</div>

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</div>i bought the trailer hitch for my two wheeler, which I guess I will have to sell. I did order the hitch with my Hannigan Kit from Hannigan. Do you make one for the kit that is better?
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Craigatcsi</strong>
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<div class="message">i bought the trailer hitch for my two wheeler, which I guess I will have to sell. I did order the hitch with my Hannigan Kit from Hannigan. Do you make one for the kit that is better?</div>

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</div>Can't say it's better, a little cheaper. I do offer color matching powder coating thou.<br />
Larr
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>the paparazzi</strong>
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<div class="message">Well I haven't done that yet but as we all know stuff happens and it only takes once to spoil your day and perhaps several days after. Great job Larry. How many bolts to mount it? Four I would guess.. If and when you are ready to put them out there I sure would be interested. I see you have a mud flap on the rear of the front fender did you through bolt that in order to mount it? Just curious.</div>

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</div> On the mud flap I took off the chrome trim then once I decided where I wanted the mud flap at I marked two spots to be drill thru the fender but to be covered up by the trim piece. I used small flat headed screws to go thru the fender and mud flap. And used a larger screw at the center where the trim fastened as originally bolted on.<br />
The center screw I used was a button head Philips in SS. You could also use a Allen hexed screw.

The end result is just the center screw showing leaving a neat finish but still secured solidly.<br />
Larry
 
Thanks for the mud flap info Larry, I need to take another more serious look at mine and just get it done.. <br />
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On the skid plate issue.. I was wondering just how much engine heat (if any at all) is designed to be dispersed through the bottom crank case cover? More than likely very little or none at all. I admit I sometimes trend to over think things, but one thing we all know for sure, for every action there is an equal reaction.. Your thoughts?
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>the paparazzi</strong>
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<div class="message">Thanks for the mud flap info Larry, I need to take another more serious look at mine and just get it done.. <br />
<br />
On the skid plate issue.. I was wondering just how much engine heat (if any at all) is designed to be dispersed through the bottom crank case cover? More than likely very little or none at all. I admit I sometimes trend to over think things, but one thing we all know for sure, for every action there is an equal reaction.. Your thoughts?</div>

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</div> There's enough of a space in front for plenty of air flow. If anything I think that the skid plate will trap and funnel air when moving between it and the engines bottom.<br />
Larry
 
post some ball park prices . I will probly want one as well. will they be different kit to kit or just bike to bike ? I would guess they would mount to the old bike frame.
 
Dully noted on those wanting a skid plate. Price will be $55 which will include shipping. I don't have any made just now as I just got more material to make them and will start on them tomorrow. I'll pm the guys wanting one once they're ready to ship.

Tom W I've only designed them thus far for the 99-2013 RSV's and the 05-09 RSTD's and mainly for the trikers BUT considering the pan is lower than the bikes frame I think they're a good addition to have on the bikes. I'm sure that this design would work for the older Royals as well thou the mounting points may or may not differ. Measuring and testing will tell the tale.
Larry
 
Dully noted on those wanting a skid plate. Price will be $55 which will include shipping. I don't have any made just now as I just got more material to make them and will start on them tomorrow. I'll pm the guys wanting one once they're ready to ship.

Tom W I've only designed them thus far for the 99-2013 RSV's and the 05-09 RSTD's and mainly for the trikers BUT considering the pan is lower than the bikes frame I think they're a good addition to have on the bikes. I'm sure that this design would work for the older Royals as well thou the mounting points may or may not differ. Measuring and testing will tell the tale.
Larry

Im riding an 08 ultra / motor trike conversion. If you get one figured out for it ,I will take it.
I have slammed the pan only once on a speed bump .no damage but I think I just got lucky
 
Ok guys I've gotten some made up now and ready for shipping Cost will be $55 delivered. Use lskeels@wowway.com to transfer funds at PayPal. If mailing a money order or check send a pm for my address. For those who have already said they'll take one I've sent pm's.
Larry
 

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