who has made their own skid plates and how hard was it what did you use to do it.

 

I have done it... but I also have access to a metal shop... [img]i/expressions/beer.gif[/img]

I use 5052 Aluminum - don't use 6061 - it is a PITA to bend

GYTR Yamaha skids are made from 1/8" 5052.

For belly / main frame skids I would use 3/16" as a minimum... I am in the process of making a front Bash plate out of 1/4" 5052!! My GYTR Yamaha belly and rear frame skids are 1/8" and are taking a pretty good beating.. but those will be replaced with 1/4" when they get too beat down... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

making skids would seem like a pain to make (except for people that work metal shops)Just the bends and figuring out the hardware..eek..I'd just buy them ,make life really easy for yourself lol..But that me anyway..You did not mention your machine or how versed you are at metal working..

 

its for a blaster i dont have access to a metal shop but i have used sheet metal before to make fenders and body panels i didnt think it would be much harder than that what do the skid plates connect to where do boughten ones bolt up

 

if yuo figure out a way to make skids for a blaster let me know

 

I made mine out of 1/4 inch diamond plate aluminum and a side grinder with a cutting wheel.My frame is flat so I didn't have any bending to worry about.

 

I made some for my warrior out of aluminum diamond plate. its not too hard, but having access to a brake and shear helps a lot. getting the bends right isn't hard, its the mounts for it. if you don't recess the bolts into it, they can snag on rocks and mess up some stuff. I drilled holes for the mounts and used a 30 ton press to press in around them so the bolt heads could be recessed in. it was a lot of time and effort. using sheetmetal wouldn't be a good idea, imo. it bends too easily and it can cause a lot of unwanted vibration if its bent towards the engine. it'll transmit the vibration through the whole bike. I trashed mine up on the trails and went ahead and bought aftermarket ones this time. lot easier.

 

Here are a few pictures of my Front Bash Plate!! I just picked it up from the shop this morning... I wish I didn't have to work today.. I want to go put it on and try it out [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

This thing is no JOKE!! 1/4 Thick Smackdown AL!! (Can you tell I am excited....)

 

NICE

 

ok... Here are the pictures of it installed... didn't quite go on exactly how I intended... but it is there nonetheless.... and will work great !