Noisy skid plate fix.

[Kyle B]

What is the first thing that you notice on your test drive after a new, larger skid plate is installed on your Dual Sport?

NOISE!

A skid plate in my opinion is very similar to a cymbal, as played by a drummer. If you were to coat that cymbal with rubber on one side it would just make a "thud" when struck. That is what I'm doing to the skid plates.

I removed my new skid plate. I went to a truck tire shop and found an old tube which they gave me for a small contribution to the shop beer fund. I cut a piece a little bit larger than the plate and cleaned it very well with soap and a scrub brush. The most expensive part of this project was the can of spray contact cement for rubber products.



Lay the clean, dry piece of rubber on a scrap piece of plywood or cardboard to protect everything from the over spray and coat it per directions on the can. Likewise give the inside of the skid plate a coating of the adhesive. After about 10 minutes of dry time stick the rubber to the plate, being sure to remove any wrinkles or bubbles. Cut out holes and remove excess rubber around the perimeter with a good sharp razor knife. Your result should look something like this:



This one had three flat planes so I cut and glued three pieces on it rather than one.



This is the end result. and the plates installed on both bikes.



This is a do-it-yourself project. Good luck!

[Yooper_Bob]

I'll bet the spray on bed liner stuff from Duplicolor would have the same effect....especially if you did both side of the skid plate.

[Kyle B]

I'm not sure. I did give products like that thought, but figured I could always remove the rubber if it had any ill effects. You would think the manufacturers would have thought of this? Both sides does not work because it makes the bottom side sticky where it would not slide over objects as intended.

[Unstable Rider]

Originally Posted by Yooper_Bob

I'll bet the spray on bed liner stuff from Duplicolor would have the same effect....especially if you did both side of the skid plate.

Sorry brother

NEVER use Duplicolor's bedliner on nothing.

There is a forum thread, this was my luck, it NEVER DRIED-- weeks later, had to scrape it off like gum, stayed sticky, ish!

[nx&ace]

I use the 1/8 inch white foam sheet material that a lot of farkles come wrapped in and the 3M spray. I've also used indoor/outdoor carpet tape in place of the 3M spray. Both methods have held up well thru all weather conditions. The foam really quiets down the WR250R and DR650 plates.

[juames]

I lined my skid plate with foam tape designed for truck caps and campers. Works well and cheap!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C7PVRM/...SIN=B001C7PVRM

[kubiak]

great ideas!

[Yooper_Bob]

Originally Posted by Unstable Rider

Sorry brother

NEVER use Duplicolor's bedliner on nothing.

I have used it numerous times (trailer hitches, boat lift components, grill guards, etc), and have had great luck with it.

You must have gotten a bad batch?

[knobbyjoe]

UR,
To prevent paint from NOT curing... Apply thinner coats and let cure "dry" completly before the next coat. A must!

Some times a thick coat on top of a thick coat, with out allowing for the first coat to cure, will prevent the bottom layer from curing. I've done it! Looked just like your skid plate.

Kyle, Great work with free material and a little contact glue.
KJ

[John E]

with the plate on my DR650 but I used some spray-on rubber undercoating material. 2 coats, worked great, still holding fine and definitely cut dwn on the noise.

[Grinnin]

I was prepared to completely cover my bash plate, but decided to try just isolating it from frame vibrations. I've put a bit over 11,000 miles on this and don't have any noise problem at all.

The left piece of inner-tube is in place, and the right one is shifted to show the bolt slots and dirty oval where the frame would hit the plate. No glue, just bolts through those holes and the frame pinching the rubber.

I had a couple of round pieces for the front-center contact spot.

[whisperquiet]

Originally Posted by Grinnin

I was prepared to completely cover my bash plate, but decided to try just isolating it from frame vibrations. I've put a bit over 11,000 miles on this and don't have any noise problem at all.

The left piece of inner-tube is in place, and the right one is shifted to show the bolt slots and dirty oval where the frame would hit the plate. No glue, just bolts through those holes and the frame pinching the rubber.

I had a couple of round pieces for the front-center contact spot.

I did something similar on the skid plate on my DRZ400, but it was more fun............uncork a bottle wine, drink the wine, go out to the garage with half a buzz on and cut the cork (I used the synthetic corks) into 6 equal sized slices.

Locate and glue them to the skid plate where they will isolate the skid plate from the frame rails, and then don't ride while half lit. Noise and vibration problem solved.

[FatBob]

I coated mine with bedliner material, I don't remember if it was duplicolor or not. It's still intact after 3 years.

[Kyle B]

Originally Posted by John E

with the plate on my DR650 but I used some spray-on rubber undercoating material. 2 coats, worked great, still holding fine and definitely cut dwn on the noise.

I really thought about using undercoating, but decided to use the rubber since it was a little thicker. I left it in place at the contact points on both bikes too.
Great ideas from everyone!