SW-Motech Skid Plate Install

markjenn

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Mzee said:
What bothers me about all skid plates is their point of mounting. Are these mounted on the frame or on the motor? I have seen some photo of one where there was a hole in an S10 motor as a result of the mounting on the motor. Any clarification on this matter?
It's been discussed in three or four LONG skid plates threads on this and other sites. It's a little complex because various plates make tradeoffs based on how they mount. Very few are entirely "frame mounted" because this is pretty hard to do on the S10 - it has no frame under the engine, so anything that doesn't attach to the engine in some way has to carry a lot of structural strength around the engine to points above.

I'm not an expert, but there are those who are and their info is in these other threads. My only comment is that some riders are going to break anything they put on the bike, and others are looking for little more than a gravel-road rock guard. It's a compromise and a lot depends on what you are planning on doing with the bike. In my view, the SW-Motech one discussed in this thread is a pretty good compromise for light to moderate use.

- Mark
 

Obrianmcc

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Mzee said:
What bothers me about all skid plates is their point of mounting. Are these mounted on the frame or on the motor? I have seen some photo of one where there was a hole in an S10 motor as a result of the mounting on the motor. Any clarification on this matter?
The real question IMO would be if it's sump mounted ...... If so you might as well run the OEM plate.
 

markjenn

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Obrianmcc said:
The real question IMO would be if it's sump mounted ...... If so you might as well run the OEM plate.
Not all sump-mounts are created equal. Some are done in a way to distribute loads, others concentrate them. The Yamaha OEM plate is considered to be one of the poorer ones, but again, for light-duty use, its probably fine.

- Mark
 

tlucky

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I just got the SW-Motech skid plate. I installed a couple of the brackets and held the plate up and it appears that the Purolator L14612 is a bit too long. Are there any other options available for non OEM filters that are known to fit?
 

markjenn

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tlucky said:
I just got the SW-Motech skid plate. I installed a couple of the brackets and held the plate up and it appears that the Purolator L14612 is a bit too long. Are there any other options available for non OEM filters that are known to fit?
The L14612 is the shorter one which should be about the same length as the Yamaha filter. It should fit fine. I'm using the Bosch 3300 with my SW-Motech plate and it has about 3/8" of clearance. Are you sure you don't have the longer L14610? In any event, the Bosch is a good alternative.

The definitive reference about this stuff:

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterXRef.html

- Mark
 

snakebitten

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Scott Williams said:

Fixed it. I removed all the "extra" ( unnecessary ) code.

As a result, you still see the picture in the post, but do NOT get redirected to your Photobucket site.

Hope this helps.

(Choose to "quote" this post and you will see the actual code snippet I left in your original post)

Cheers
 

snipes285

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Just picked up my Super T from a dealer here in Calgary. It came with $1500 worth of credit for aftermarket goodies, the skid plate was on that list :).
Like most forums I have joined, this one is full of invaluable information like this thread!
Like others, I didn't require the SW instructions and simply followed the excellent step by step instructions here.
Thank you for the post! I can see a long, happy relationship with my new ride! and the endless modifications by pocket book will allow ;D
 

racer1735

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Amarillo/Canyon, TX
I installed a SW Motech skid plate last night. Super-easy installation thanks to this thread (great pics to go with your commentary). I have a Bosch 3300 filter and like a previous poster said, it has about 3/8" of clearance in the front. Will have to remove the plate to do a filter change (which I do at every oil change), but no biggee as that only occurs a coupld times a year.

One word of caution when installing this plate. The hex-head cap screws used on the front are very soft and easy to strip the head. I didn't, but can see that happening. I may have to search for replacment screws or alternatives. Fortunately, they are located in an area where, should you strip a head, you can grab the lock nut on the back side to remove the screw.

All in all, a great mid-weight plate. I don't romp thru the boulders, so not concerned about bottoming out over anything harder than sand or dirt.
 

Clifford

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Forgive my intrusion into this great thread, but I'm in the process of building my own crash bars with integrated skid plates and I am always looking for how others solve problems. I reading this and taking notes on how you guys have solved the Oil Filter Access when blocked by the skid plate issue and noticing the oil filter splash problem you're having and I thinking there's an easier way.
I maybe I should bring this little trick I learned up for your consideration.

You see, I come from a Rock Crawler 4X4 background and we have the same problem. Some of our Skid plates are so abused that if we remove them they will never go back on right if removed.

So, here's how I solved the oily mess on the top side of the skid plate issue. I use a large mouth plastic bag and lay it under the oil filter with the mouth of the bag facing up. As in you’ll be creating a soft sided bucket under the oil filter so that any oil that drips out of the filter when the filter is unscrewed falls into the bag. Then, in the case of the Tenere, if you drill the 3 inch hole in the front for the filter socket wrench you could actually make a clean filter change without removing the entire skid plate. Stuff some paper towels inside your baggy bucket to soak up and hold the oil and it should come out clean without spilling. The paper towels laid flat in the bottom of the baggy will help the baggy hold its shape also.

Then just drop the old filter into the baggy, zip it closed and toss it in the trash, or whatever you do with old oil filters.
 

S10Pilot

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Does anyone know if it's easier to remove/re-install this skid plate than the Alt Rider for oil changes? There MUST be a better way!
 

markjenn

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S10Pilot said:
Does anyone know if it's easier to remove/re-install this skid plate than the Alt Rider for oil changes? There MUST be a better way!
Can't compare to the Altrider, but the SW-Motech isn't very hard. Four bolt/nuts that are relatively easy to access on the front, then four bolts from the bottom. If it takes more than 2 minutes, I'm probably drunk.

- Mark
 

Twisties

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Apparently, based on your comments, the SW-Motech plate now comes with instructions! Since folk seem to still find the thread helpful, I'll leave it up. The thread is now about 2 1/2 years old, or there about. Anyone notice any changes to the product design that should be incorporated into the OP? Anything in the SW-Motech instructions that conflicts or improves that should result in an edit?
 

ec90t

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Terre Haute, IN
Twisties said:
Apparently, based on your comments, the SW-Motech plate now comes with instructions! Since folk seem to still find the thread helpful, I'll leave it up. The thread is now about 2 1/2 years old, or there about. Anyone notice any changes to the product design that should be incorporated into the OP? Anything in the SW-Motech instructions that conflicts or improves that should result in an edit?
I'll let you know as mine will be here today and install tonight. This along with my crash bars, quick release bag brackets, heated grips, throttle lock........ ;)
 

copb8

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Well, I changed the product design personally with a few good hits. I'm glad it was there but it sure has a different profile now. I'm not looking forward to my next oil change because I think it'll be a real B*@CH to put back on, even after some panel beating. If I end up having to replace it I'll probably go with the Altrider Skidplate.
 

toemoss

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Ramona,CA (aka Blowmona)
Does anyone run the ACD Racing skidplate? I'm an aerospace welder and that plate looks like something I would make. I did see a thread where they modified the oil filter cover so you can unbolt it and change filter w/out removing the plate. I'm curious and to what you all run as that is my next purchase for the new bike.
 
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