Modify Z Plates

S

Stephen Hill

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I am thinking about modifying the aluminum Z plates on my 1972 Combat.

I could drill various holes in the web to visually lighten the look. I have done this before on a friend's bike. It is simple to do, and retains lots of strength.

I am more inclined to go with a more radical approach, where all the lighter web material is removed, leaving the one thick stiffener in the vicinity of the rider peg. There is an image of this at the bottom of page 1 of this thread:
acadian

Thread 'Homemade Z plates'

I've been contemplating what to do with my stock z plates for some time now as the rear extension has always bothered me (bike is a solo rider, and I don't need the lower exhaust mounts). I didn't want to go hacking away at the originals, and I can't afford some of the aftermarket versions available, so I picked up some alloy plate at a good price and tried my hand at fabbing up a custom set.

I'm pretty happy with the results, using the original as a template I got everything lined up just right, and they ended being 10oz lighter than the stockers.. it's the small things that personalize...
  • Like

I appreciate that I can buy a CNW version of this. But I have a spare set of Z plates, a mill, etc, and am inclined to work with what I have.

Has anybody done this radical web removal version and is the Z plate still adequate in strength and rigidity?
 
Being made of alloy they are light already and drilling holes in them how much weight you going to save anyway, won't make much difference at all on the bike handling or whatever, my opinion is they look better all polished and shiny than with holes drilled in them just to save a few oz. in weight.
 
Thanks Ashman.
Just to be clear, I am not after weight saving.
I appreciate that everyone has their ideas of how a Norton should look.
I find the stock z plates look heavy, kind of slab like. And I don't much like the lightening holes look either.
Which is why I am looking at the the radical web removal option.
I am just hoping to find out if they will still be up to the job.
 
We all different and like different things I am with you , I prefer the lighter look , but do appreciate how some prefer the original look , any way here is a picture of mine , yes they are still strong been like this for 10+ years
 

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phippsy said:
We all different and like different things I am with you , I prefer the lighter look , but do appreciate how some prefer the original look , any way here is a picture of mine , yes they are still strong been like this for 10+ years
Click to expand...
That looks better than just holes drilled in them.
 
phippsy, that looks great! I like how you created the (three?) extra ribs. I was thinking that if I retained only the one full depth rib, it would not be rigid enough or look balanced.

​

 
Stephen Hill said:
I am thinking about modifying the aluminum Z plates on my 1972 Combat.

I could drill various holes in the web to visually lighten the look. I have done this before on a friend's bike. It is simple to do, and retains lots of strength.

I am more inclined to go with a more radical approach, where all the lighter web material is removed, leaving the one thick stiffener in the vicinity of the rider peg. There is an image of this at the bottom of page 1 of this thread:
acadian

Thread 'Homemade Z plates'

I've been contemplating what to do with my stock z plates for some time now as the rear extension has always bothered me (bike is a solo rider, and I don't need the lower exhaust mounts). I didn't want to go hacking away at the originals, and I can't afford some of the aftermarket versions available, so I picked up some alloy plate at a good price and tried my hand at fabbing up a custom set.

I'm pretty happy with the results, using the original as a template I got everything lined up just right, and they ended being 10oz lighter than the stockers.. it's the small things that personalize...
  • Like

I appreciate that I can buy a CNW version of this. But I have a spare set of Z plates, a mill, etc, and am inclined to work with what I have.

Has anybody done this radical web removal version and is the Z plate still adequate in strength and rigidity?
Click to expand...
Stephen,

I would take a look at KiwiShanes bike for what he did with his Zplates. It might give you the visual effect you are looking for.Just a thought as I like the way he did his.
Mike
 
Less mass for the zener to pour heat into.
....just had to say that I realize zeners are not used much anymore.
 
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