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Hi everyone,
As you all know, Coffee (Dean) passed away a couple of years ago. I am Dean's ex-wife's husband and happen to have spent my career in tech. Over the years, I occasionally helped Dean with various tech issues.
When he passed, I worked with his kids to gather the necessary credentials to keep this site running. Since then (and for however long they worked with Coffee), Woodschick and Dirtdame have been maintaining the site and covering the costs. Without their hard work and financial support, CafeHusky would have been lost.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working to migrate the site to a free cloud compute instance so that Woodschick and Dirtdame no longer have to fund it. At the same time, I’ve updated the site to a current version of XenForo (the discussion software it runs on). The previous version was outdated and no longer supported.
Unfortunately, the new software version doesn’t support importing the old site’s styles, so for now, you’ll see the XenForo default style. This may change over time.
Coffee didn’t document the work he did on the site, so I’ve been digging through the old setup to understand how everything was running. There may still be things I’ve missed. One known issue is that email functionality is not yet working on the new site, but I hope to resolve this over time.
Thanks for your patience and support!
08 skid plate(where from)
- Thread starter patgas
- Start date
patgas;7043 said:
motosportz, definitely
http://www.motosportz.com/HVA-SS/2008_skidplates_details.htm
bass_on_tap
Husqvarna
B Class
I think you are looking at an Uptite skid plate. Call George.
111 West Dyer Rd. #B
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Phone: (714) 540-2920
Fax: (714) 540-2971
Email: uptite@sbcglobal.net
111 West Dyer Rd. #B
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Phone: (714) 540-2920
Fax: (714) 540-2971
Email: uptite@sbcglobal.net
More to it than just slapping a piece of metal under a bike and calling it good. Engineering a skid plate takes a lot of time and the thought process is very involved. Impact absorbition major consideration being one. Air flow across motor 40% of the heat from engine is disipated thru the oil thru the cases. So must have air flow another reason for the holes. Strength??? Made to absorb the impact not transmit it to the frame then to the engine and other components on the bike,and hopefully not to your spine. Sure they will bend and bash out of shape, Made to do that, just take it off lay it on the floor beat it back into shape then go again. The simplicity of being able to remove it for cleaning and maintainance.
So what if it's more money pride comes in here $8000.+ invested in the bike at least keep it looking purty. Might be 1/2 the price but more than 10 times the amount of labor time to make them, mig welding is 1/5 the time as tig welding, tig welds look better a pride thing on my end.
Like the old Bell helmet ad said "If you got a $10.00 Head wear a $10.00 Helmet"
Later George
So what if it's more money pride comes in here $8000.+ invested in the bike at least keep it looking purty. Might be 1/2 the price but more than 10 times the amount of labor time to make them, mig welding is 1/5 the time as tig welding, tig welds look better a pride thing on my end.
Like the old Bell helmet ad said "If you got a $10.00 Head wear a $10.00 Helmet"
Later George
Good points George and well said.
For our product (Motosportz) we vented the front for flow but not the bottom because here in the NW we have to slide over large rocks and big logs and holes on the bottom can snag obstacles and tear at the hole or hang you up. We also fold the front and weld only the bottom support leg because most plates we have seen that are welded split right next to the weld in an impact. I have yet to see one crackled plate. We also powder coat our plates because the porous aluminum, even anodized, holds the NW clay / mud and stains where the powder coat is slick and EZ to clean. Additionally we incorporated a oil drain hole to allow you to change oil without removing the plate. And finally we weld on stand offs on the back side of the mounting holes to space the plate out instead of punching an indent as this is stronger and allows the bolt / plate / frame contact point a foundation to sit on adding strength.
Two different engineered solutions.
For our product (Motosportz) we vented the front for flow but not the bottom because here in the NW we have to slide over large rocks and big logs and holes on the bottom can snag obstacles and tear at the hole or hang you up. We also fold the front and weld only the bottom support leg because most plates we have seen that are welded split right next to the weld in an impact. I have yet to see one crackled plate. We also powder coat our plates because the porous aluminum, even anodized, holds the NW clay / mud and stains where the powder coat is slick and EZ to clean. Additionally we incorporated a oil drain hole to allow you to change oil without removing the plate. And finally we weld on stand offs on the back side of the mounting holes to space the plate out instead of punching an indent as this is stronger and allows the bolt / plate / frame contact point a foundation to sit on adding strength.
Two different engineered solutions.
mrkartoom
Husqvarna
AA Class
I'm not trying to bash the Uptite plates (no pun intended) and like I said they look nice, but I don't see them faring well here the rocky norhteast. Like Motorsportz said the holes catch on rocks and make it more prone to tearing. I'm sure they are fine in other conditions. I also don't need to take them off to clean or do oil changes, so quick release is not as important to me as a solid mount.
About that $10 helmet, that may not be as bad as you think. I think it was Motorcyclist mag that did a big helmet test a couple years ago and got a few manufacturers mad at them. Seems that several low-mid priced units out-performed top-of-the-line offerings from more than one maker in a variety of tests.
About that $10 helmet, that may not be as bad as you think. I think it was Motorcyclist mag that did a big helmet test a couple years ago and got a few manufacturers mad at them. Seems that several low-mid priced units out-performed top-of-the-line offerings from more than one maker in a variety of tests.
glangston
Husqvarna
Pro Class
I saw that helmet test and I nearly got one of the Z1R's but they were out at the moment. Still it's interesting that when you look at NASCAR, NHRA, Formula 1 etc. the professionals don't seem inclined to wear them (of course they are probably under contract). You would think they could make some inroads with that test and get a name under contract. Maybe there's more to it, I don't know.
Well with all the skid plate talk I might as well throw in my $.02 worth. I made my own skid plate out of 6061 T6. All in all it did what it was intended to do and didn't look half bad but it was a solid plate with nothing more than drain holes for the oil. The one thing that I didn't like was that it acted like a sonic reflector, The minute I put it on I thought I had thrown a rod! I've had this kind of effect with other solid skid plates but with the 610 needing to be so large to cover everything it just acted like a huge base drum. I was out at Georges shop the day he was putting together all the hardware for the first batch of 610 plates and bought one mainly because it was so much nicer looking than my home made one ,like I said mine didn't look half bad but Uptites was pure art work. It does allow the bike bike to run cooler particularly in slow moving trails and the reflected noise is gone (engine nice and quite again),
The only down side to having one of Georges plates is that it so nice looking you actually feel bad when you plant it on a sharp rock
, that being said it has taken some pretty hard hits with no appreciable damage.
The only down side to having one of Georges plates is that it so nice looking you actually feel bad when you plant it on a sharp rock
, that being said it has taken some pretty hard hits with no appreciable damage.
Mike Kay
Husqvarna
AA Class
I gotta tell ya the engineering that goes into those Uptite skid plates is amazing.
I have one on my 510 and another on my 610. When i was mounting the new 610 plate last month i was amazed at all the little detailing that went into the thing. The type and thickness of the alloy on the bottom is different, buy design ( i asked!), from the wings on the sides. Just really cool stuff.
What i like the most is that its so light, yet it covers so much more of the motor.
Check out how little of the frame rails actually touch the skid plate.
These things are worth every penny IMO.
Not saying anything negative about other skid plates, just sayin the Uptite ones are the nicest for any bike ive ever seen.
All that said--i think its good that we all feel freed to express our opinions, even if its not something i agree with.
I have one on my 510 and another on my 610. When i was mounting the new 610 plate last month i was amazed at all the little detailing that went into the thing. The type and thickness of the alloy on the bottom is different, buy design ( i asked!), from the wings on the sides. Just really cool stuff.
What i like the most is that its so light, yet it covers so much more of the motor.
Check out how little of the frame rails actually touch the skid plate.
These things are worth every penny IMO.
Not saying anything negative about other skid plates, just sayin the Uptite ones are the nicest for any bike ive ever seen.
All that said--i think its good that we all feel freed to express our opinions, even if its not something i agree with.
I'm pretty damned happy with my Uptite skidplate, although in all fairness I haven't bashed it on anything serious...yet I will admit that I chose it because it was the best looking one. When it arrived I took it out of the box and said "Ooh! It's pretty...and it's really light!" It was only after we started putting it on that we began to appreciate its many other attributes. Eric basically sees things from an engineering angle and he really appreciates a well-made product. We've got 10 bikes in the garage and most of them have skidplates, as have all the bikes we've ever owned. I'm pretty certain that my Uptite plate is the one that produced the least amount of swearing during installation 
Kelly and George, thanks for sharing the insight that went into the engineering of your products. It's pretty cool to know the reasons why some things are done the way they are. When I saw the Motosportz skidplate was powdercoated I thought it was gorgeous but also wondered why anyone in their right mind would powdercoat a skidplate, fer cryin' out loud
But now I know, and it makes perfect sense! Same with making the skidplate be the "crumple zone" instead of allowing a burlier skidplate to transfer the force to the frame. I feel smarter already! 
WoodsChick
I will admit that I chose it because it was the best looking one. When it arrived I took it out of the box and said "Ooh! It's pretty...and it's really light!" It was only after we started putting it on that we began to appreciate its many other attributes. Eric basically sees things from an engineering angle and he really appreciates a well-made product. We've got 10 bikes in the garage and most of them have skidplates, as have all the bikes we've ever owned. I'm pretty certain that my Uptite plate is the one that produced the least amount of swearing during installation Kelly and George, thanks for sharing the insight that went into the engineering of your products. It's pretty cool to know the reasons why some things are done the way they are. When I saw the Motosportz skidplate was powdercoated I thought it was gorgeous but also wondered why anyone in their right mind would powdercoat a skidplate, fer cryin' out loud
But now I know, and it makes perfect sense! Same with making the skidplate be the "crumple zone" instead of allowing a burlier skidplate to transfer the force to the frame. I feel smarter already! WoodsChick
fitness2go
Husqvarna
AA Class
I will take a picture of the bottom of my Uptite skid plate! That thing has taken so much abuse. I'm a novice beginner and tend to hit everything instead of popping up the bike like a trials rider. Rocks, roots, and logs...I ride them all the time! Two others that I ride with have the Motosportz plate and it also has held up beautifully.
David
David
mrkartoom;7094 said:
robertaccio
Husqvarna
Pro Class
just throw more mud on the skid plate issue ,
I use a CRD (2007 model) on my 08 TXC fits perfect, shape wise, but i needed to redrill the 2 front holes and do a little slotting of the 2 rear holes. Its a smaller coverage plate, hence my hoop frame rail is scraped and the main frame under the pegs also gets hit. I just like the minimum size of the thing and my bike is a trail tool not a show bike,,,its got scrapes and bruises. I have thought to drill some holes up front for air flow, but have not done it (yet).
I use a CRD (2007 model) on my 08 TXC fits perfect, shape wise, but i needed to redrill the 2 front holes and do a little slotting of the 2 rear holes. Its a smaller coverage plate, hence my hoop frame rail is scraped and the main frame under the pegs also gets hit. I just like the minimum size of the thing and my bike is a trail tool not a show bike,,,its got scrapes and bruises. I have thought to drill some holes up front for air flow, but have not done it (yet).
miketv
Husqvarna
A Class
Mike Kay;7107 said:
Agreed Mike! The Uptite on mine is touching the frame rails and needs to be "adjusted" as George mentioned, this was compliments of several large trees that across the trail. For my needs it works as advertised, fits perfect and looks great!
cheers,
Mike
I8AKTM
Husqvarna
AA Class
I have the Uptite plate and it's served me well.
This pic is from the spring when the bike was new, and as you can see, I prefer coated too. I had it done locally. It cleans up much easier and the coating ( as well as the plate) has held up like a champ. Not a lot of bouldering happening here, but copious amounts of log bashing.
I am happy that we have multiple choice now on what accessories we buy for our bikes...and I try to spread it around when I can.
Keep it up Kelly, George, Clay, OFG....
paul
This pic is from the spring when the bike was new, and as you can see, I prefer coated too. I had it done locally. It cleans up much easier and the coating ( as well as the plate) has held up like a champ. Not a lot of bouldering happening here, but copious amounts of log bashing.
I am happy that we have multiple choice now on what accessories we buy for our bikes...and I try to spread it around when I can.
Keep it up Kelly, George, Clay, OFG....
paul