Where can I get one-off component designed and made?
Discussion
ok don't go too mad as very unlikely to happen.
But, ideally I would like a component made for my scooter. I have removed the screen and would want some kind of manufactured item to cover up the exposed bolt holes on each side, while having some design merit itself. I suppose the component could be made out of some kind of plastic like the dash surround itself, or perhaps aluminium (like the brackets that have been removed see pics). The original fitting brackets have raised turrets to locate in the correct place, so it is not easily made ie the item cant be flat it has to be proud maybe by use of spacers, so it needs a designer as well as a manufacturer of said parts!
Of course, to make the prospect really impossible I also don't (really) want to spend hardly any money as it's just a vanity thing. But I was wondering if anyone here has ideas. It's a Yamaha Tmax not sold in great numbers, although I suppose it might be possible to sell up to 10 kits (guessing) if it would help cover costs. I can see how it would overall be difficult as the items are multi-faceted ie not one plane is would be flat!
Any thoughts? Maybe there's some magical cheap way of doing this I haven't heard about.
The photoshop is to show roughly what shape I imagine something would be if you know what I mean
But, ideally I would like a component made for my scooter. I have removed the screen and would want some kind of manufactured item to cover up the exposed bolt holes on each side, while having some design merit itself. I suppose the component could be made out of some kind of plastic like the dash surround itself, or perhaps aluminium (like the brackets that have been removed see pics). The original fitting brackets have raised turrets to locate in the correct place, so it is not easily made ie the item cant be flat it has to be proud maybe by use of spacers, so it needs a designer as well as a manufacturer of said parts!
Of course, to make the prospect really impossible I also don't (really) want to spend hardly any money as it's just a vanity thing. But I was wondering if anyone here has ideas. It's a Yamaha Tmax not sold in great numbers, although I suppose it might be possible to sell up to 10 kits (guessing) if it would help cover costs. I can see how it would overall be difficult as the items are multi-faceted ie not one plane is would be flat!
Any thoughts? Maybe there's some magical cheap way of doing this I haven't heard about.
The photoshop is to show roughly what shape I imagine something would be if you know what I mean
It could be fairly easy to do it yourself.
If I were to do it I'd first off look at fixing the bolts permanently to the brackets. Then I'd use wood, card, isopon etc to build the components how I wanted them and incorporate the brackets within the design.
I'd then use something like this kit to make a mould. http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/starter-kits/ep... and then use a carbon fibre kit such as this one http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/starter-kits/ca... to make the items (assuming you want them in carbon fibre of course?) again incorporating the brackets in them. There's loads of instruction on their site as to how to make the various kits.
I'm concentrating on this company as I have used their products before and a member of Pistonheads 'andygtt' used their products to remake his noble bodywork in carbon fibre.
As you say to recoup the cost of the kits you could make them available to other owners.
ETA - Alternatively you could just take off the whole panel, make a mould of it without the fixing holes and then remake it in carbon fibre, but where's the fun in that? and of course it wouldn't be 'E' marked so may fall foul of MOT requirements.
If I were to do it I'd first off look at fixing the bolts permanently to the brackets. Then I'd use wood, card, isopon etc to build the components how I wanted them and incorporate the brackets within the design.
I'd then use something like this kit to make a mould. http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/starter-kits/ep... and then use a carbon fibre kit such as this one http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/starter-kits/ca... to make the items (assuming you want them in carbon fibre of course?) again incorporating the brackets in them. There's loads of instruction on their site as to how to make the various kits.
I'm concentrating on this company as I have used their products before and a member of Pistonheads 'andygtt' used their products to remake his noble bodywork in carbon fibre.
As you say to recoup the cost of the kits you could make them available to other owners.
ETA - Alternatively you could just take off the whole panel, make a mould of it without the fixing holes and then remake it in carbon fibre, but where's the fun in that? and of course it wouldn't be 'E' marked so may fall foul of MOT requirements.
Edited by 951TSE on Wednesday 3rd August 14:19
I would get a couple of aluminium plates made up the same shape as the removed brackets. Refit brackets then fit plates with countersunk screws and then put some of that carbon look stick backed sheet onto plates. Hopefully might look like there part of the aero. Should be cheap enough.
951TSE said:
ETA - Alternatively you could just take off the whole panel, make a mould of it without the fixing holes and then remake it in carbon fibre, but where's the fun in that?
editthought it was a good idea but on closer inspection the panel is too varied / complicated so would probably go wrong.
Modifying / creating a mould from the original brackets might be the way to go.
Thanks everyone, I find it quite interesting.
Edited by CoolHands on Wednesday 3rd August 17:04
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