Custom Triumph Bonneville Side Cover Badges
I have determined that Plast-Dip does not work so well on motorcycle parts that receive constant contact with things like pant legs, gloves, shoes, and whatnot. It simply rubs off too easily… at least it did for me on my side covers. Perhaps I didn’t prep the surfaces correctly, or maybe didn’t spray enough layers, or maybe it requires a longer time to “cure” – I’m not sure. So, I peeled and scraped the Plasti Dip off of my side covers and am in the process of repainting them. During this process, I have also designed a badge to attach to each side cover positioned below the large holes that I drilled in them this past winter. The badge design was done in Adobe Illustrator and the file was sent to my friend Steve Wilson at Your Bag Tag, a custom luggage and bag tag manufacturer and supplier. Steve laser cut the badges out of a black plastic material that had a white center core with a laser engraving machine he uses to create custom laser engraved products. He had demonstrated the capabilities of this tool for me when I visited him last fall.
Randy’s artwork supplied to YourBagTag.com
The new custom badges arrived today from Your Bag Tag and they turned out really nice!
Here is a shot of the direction I am headed with this modification. There are three holes, one at each “corner” of the badge where I have drilled through the side cover and am using a flat alan head bolt to go through both the badge and the cover, with a retaining nut on the back (inside) to hold them in place.
Side covers with Plasti Dip removed, sanded and primed with new custom badges located, drilled and fit mounted.
The paint process begins…
After fitting, badges removed and the inside (back) sprayed with semi-gloss enamel paint.
After the paint dried, I mounted the badges with three stainless steel hex head screws with locking nuts on the inside of the side cover.
I also scuffed up the paint with Scotch pads to give it that dull, matt finish, before I mounted the badges.
Side cover with custom badge mounted on left side.
Side cover with custom badge mounted on right side.
Closer view of left side cover and custom badge.
Based upon this post, Jamie contacted Steve at Your Bag Tag about some custom badges for his Triumph Streetmaster. Steve contacted me and here’s what I came up with:
Custom Triumph Speedmaster fender badge.
Your site is GREAT…thank you. Are the side cover badges available. I changed out the brake/turn signal ass. and am looking for a cover for the old mounting holes. Again, thanks for ALL of the info. you provide.
Jamie
Jamie,
Thanks for the comment and welcome to the site!
I wrote a post about the Triumph Heritage Tank Badges here: http://triumphbonneville.org/triumph-heritage-tank-badges/
I am not sure which holes you are referring to that you need to cover. Here are a few possible options:
• Mirror Hole Plugs: http://bellacorse.com/bcc190.htm
• Union Jack Decal: http://www.british-customs.com/union-jack-decal.html
• Ignition Hole Plugs: http://www.british-customs.com/triumph-bonneville-turn-signal-block-off.html
• Alternate Adapter Plate Covers: http://www.british-customs.com/triumph-bonneville-turn-signal-adapter-plate.html
I hope this information helps… let me know if I misunderstood.
Randy
Hi. Great site. Really interested in the details of painting the side covers and how you got that perfect matte look. Could you elaborate? Spray paint? Initial sanding? When to scuff with scotch pads? Appreciated.
Flynn
Flynn,
In this case is used regular old Rustoleum brand spray cans from a home improvement or hardware store. I believe the color is either flat black or satin black. I did sand/scuff them between coats with the 3M Scotch pads to get rid of imperfections. With smaller parts like these you can get away with spray cans even though a proper compressor and spray gun setup would be ideal.
Randy
Those side covers look great! Are you selling them as well?
Do have a couple badges you would like to sell?
I’d like to buy one for a friend (Flat Tracker #52) who was paralyzed after an track accident and later took his own life in 1972 in Gainesville, Fl. I have a photo of him on my garage wall and would like to add your emblem. Met him at the Triumph dealer in 1971 and he loaned me a Rickman 650. We became friends and one day I ran into him in a hospital where I was training. I shall not forget his friendly spirit. jp
Jerry, I have explained the process below in my comment to Joe. I just need some idea of the content that you want on the badge so I can create the artwork. Then once you approve, I send it to my friends at YourBagTag who will actually make the badge and send it to you. Your payment will be directly with them… I don’t take any cut or money. If you want to proceed, use the contact form to send me an email with more details… like your friend’s name, maybe the year and size of his triumph, etc.
Joe and All,
Thanks for your interest, comments and questions. The side cover badges I designed myself and had a friend “make” on his laser cutting and engraving machine. I can design something similar for other applications and have them made the same way. Just contact me directly using the contact form with your specific ideas and needs and I’ll work something out with you: size, shape, pricing, timing, your custom content, etc.
The process is basically as follows:
• I work with you on a custom design / layout
• I send you a PDF proof to approve
• Upon approval, I’ll send the files to my friend for laser cutting and engraving
• He will ship the finished product(s) to you
• Payments can be made to me directly either by paper check, bank account payment or PayPal
Usually the only thing you need to supply are the labor to install and the fasteners for your application… stainless steel bolts, screws, washers, nuts, etc., available at local hardware or construction supply centers.
Hope that helps!
Do you have the speedmaster tag for sale and what is the cost?
Or, can you make a custom one that has the same Triumph- Speedmaster logo with only a larger a Union Jack and made in England under that? And what would be the cost?
Thank you
Martin, Thanks for your question. I do not keep these tags in stock. They are designed by me, and then made to order by my friends at YourBagTag.com. I will email you directly with more details and the cost. – Randy