Commando Roadster Mk3 battery side panel lost

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Akl52

Akl52

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Hi , went out this morning and lost my side panel , anyone happen to have a spare I can purchase ? Absolutely gutted, searched hedges for miles but no sign of it.
help much appreciated.
Allan
 
I'm looking for one also. A used panel for that side is almost impossible to find and new ones are scarce except for the ones from India and they are always a set. On the other hand there are a ton of ones available for the oil tank side. Probably because the left side one falls off. I've had it happen twice.
 
htown16 said:
I'm looking for one also. A used panel for that side is almost impossible to find and new ones are scarce except for the ones from India and they are always a set. On the other hand there are a ton of ones available for the oil tank side. Probably because the left side one falls off. I've had it happen twice.
Click to expand...
Anyone had the Indian panels ? Is the fit ok. .
 
Once you find one , zip tie it along beside duzz fastener , I too learned the hard way , not lost but my fresh paint got tumbled by car behind , after that zip tied and never again ….
 
I have one in fiberglass. In good shape but needs paint. No brackets attached. $25 plus shipping?
 
I used a standard one with the dzus bracket. I removed the bracket, dremelled the tool pouch off and re shaped the panel to get it to fit properly. Then drilled a hole in the top and mount it via bolt and dome nut on the top. It was a bit of faffing around but so what, it's what we do. Genuine Mk 3 battery panels are difficult to find.
 
I lightly squeeze the ends of the dzus fastener together with pliers so the cover wire cannot pass through it.
Bend the top support bracket with the pin on it out some to hold the cover on tight, so it doesn’t rattle around riding.
It’s not too much of a hassle having the side cover dangling when doing occasional battery fiddling.
I put a cloth over the primary case so the hanging side cover doesn’t scratch it.

After many years, one ear of the fastener finally broke prying it open a few years ago.
Simply bought another dzus fastener, $20.
I think I’ll put a loose zip tie on as well now just to be sure I never lose that cover :)
 
Never seen an Indian side-panel for a MK3, they all seem to be pre Mk3 and 2A. So adaption is needed, even on the oil tank side where the 2 mounting holes need repositioning by 1/4" or so on all Commandos fitted with the later oil tank.

The MK2a and MK3 use a plastic Dzus fastener called Dart, both the stud and receptacle are plastic so no squeezing to increase reliable holding.

southco.com

D1 - DZUS® Dart Quarter-Turn Fasteners

D1 - DZUS® Dart Quarter-Turn Fasteners are for light duty applications that provide a low cost install and more generous tolerance ranges than other fasteners.
southco.com southco.com
 
kommando said:
Never seen an Indian side-panel for a MK3, they all seem to be pre Mk3 and 2A. So adaption is needed, even on the oil tank side where the 2 mounting holes need repositioning by 1/4" or so on all Commandos fitted with the later oil tank.

The MK2a and MK3 use a plastic Dzus fastener called Dart, both the stud and receptacle are plastic so no squeezing to increase reliable holding.

southco.com

D1 - DZUS® Dart Quarter-Turn Fasteners

D1 - DZUS® Dart Quarter-Turn Fasteners are for light duty applications that provide a low cost install and more generous tolerance ranges than other fasteners.
southco.com southco.com
Click to expand...
I use a steel version and it snaps on getting a good hold. I can't remember where I got it from but I'm sure they are readily available.
 
cash said:
I use a steel version and it snaps on getting a good hold. I can't remember where I got it from but I'm sure they are readily available.
Click to expand...
Oddie perhaps like on the BSA's, they do come loose too but not as often as the Dart version and not at all once you get the rubber thickness correct.

Component Selection Oddie Quarter Turn, Quick Release Fasteners

Component Selection for Oddie Quarter Turn, Quick Release Fasteners.
www.oddie-fasteners.com www.oddie-fasteners.com
 
Akl52 said:
Hi , went out this morning and lost my side panel , anyone happen to have a spare I can purchase ? Absolutely gutted, searched hedges for miles but no sign of it.
help much appreciated.
Allan
Click to expand...
Allan, please check your "Conversations" [aka private messages]. First make sure you are signed in. Then look up in the top/right corner of any page on the forum. You will see your user name and just to the right of that, an icon of an envelope. Click on the envelope. That is how you get into your private messages. I have some photos of the SS Indian made side covers I purchased, if it's of any help.
 
I had a look through my stuff this morning and found a MkIII roadster, left hand panel. It's a steel one that I can sell. In fact, I have a right side one as well. Both are steel. The left side is bare, no paint.
 
I don’t have the dzus fastener on mine any more. I have two pins at the rear, then mount the front bracket on an M6 silent block bush (bobbin).

Due to the angle of the pins, they push it forward onto the bush, and with the thread length on the bush, it doesn’t really even need a nut. But I use a wing nut for ‘belt n braces’ and so it can still be removed without tools if needed.

BTW the side panel is fibre glass and the bracket came from RGM.

(Before anyone asks, the two holes are so I can move it inboard for the high level 2:1 pipe)

234C47E8-31D5-4669-BA14-D675AB4C11F9.jpeg
 
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bmepkid said:
I had a look through my stuff this morning and found a MkIII roadster, left hand panel. It's a steel one that I can sell. In fact, I have a right side one as well. Both are steel. The left side is bare, no paint.
Click to expand...
Hi , I’ve sent you a pm,
thanks,
Allan.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I don’t have the dzus fastener on mine any more. I have two pins at the rear, then mount the front bracket on an M6 silent block bush (bobbin).

Due to the angle of the pins, they push it forward onto the bush, and with the thread length on the bush, it doesn’t really even need a nut. But I use a wing nut for ‘belt n braces’ and so it can still be removed without tools if needed.

BTW the side panel is fibre glass and the bracket came from RGM.

(Before anyone asks, the two holes are so I can move it inboard for the high level 2:1 pipe)

View attachment 86487
Click to expand...
I like that idea, I may modify my bike the same way. I came close to losing the LH cover from my bike last summer, it had come off the rear 'pins' and was hanging on by the Dzus fastener. I do have a tool roll in the compartment, and that is quite heavy, so probably an idea to re-think that.
 
L.A.B. said:
How was the panel attached as it doesn't have the standard Mk3 airbox so couldn't have the airbox bracket and Dzus fastener?
Click to expand...
My bike has a really neat stainless bracket with captive nut done by a previous owner ,as picture. the panel had a hole in top with rubber grommet and dome bolt to line up with bracket. All good until you don't tighten the bolt !! When i replace panel ill be adding a cable tie.
The panel had no front Dzus bracket and no sign of ever having one.



IMG_7274.JPG
 
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Akl52 said:
Hi , went out this morning and lost my side panel , anyone happen to have a spare I can purchase ? Absolutely gutted, searched hedges for miles but no sign of it.
help much appreciated.
Allan
Click to expand...
Al - a question.
My Dzu, when turned, has some resistance before "springing" into the locked position.
My thoughts are that this is fairly secure system. The "spring" is caused by the position of the wire that the dzu locks onto.
Did your side cover dzu have that spring/lock feel prior to your regrettable loss?
Maybe my period of blissful ignorance is over.
Cheers
 
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