Author Topic: Skid plates (Read 18525 times)

jcs003 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 03, 2014, 06:38:52 PM »

here is the akidplate i made from UHMWPE:

john

Pricecheck · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2014, 08:38:49 PM »

Quote from: jcs003;24532

here is the akidplate i made from UHMWPE:

john

That stuff looks like the shit. Come to think of it, uhmw was the stuff that was preferred over hdpe.

Piney0 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2014, 10:17:09 PM »

Thanks guys, very informative. I am digging the plastic idea myself right now. That UHMWPE material looks interesting, but I think I'll probably end up going with the GT Thunder one. Can't beat the price.

Where I typically ride, the skid plates won't see too much action. A couple of fallen trees to cross and maybe some train tracks. The biggest rock around here is maybe 1" round but I'm going to Hatfield McCoy in the summer, and want to be prepared.
Brett - Thanks. I'll hit you up in PM about the swingarm skid plate.
Pricecheck - Good looking on the Pirate 4x4 reference. Great site, been a member there for years.
sameltoe - In that picture, what is the shiny metal object that the plastic looks tucked behind up front?

Anyone have a good suggestion on where to look for bulk HDPE or UMHWPE if i was to make my own?

Once again, Thanks for all the input.

Hawaiiysr · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2014, 10:17:38 PM »

I work with hdpe all the time. Its food grade. I make all kinds of stuff with it. We use mostly 1/2" at work so no bending the stuff I have. Flat pieces no problem. Hdpe will take a beating. A hard hit will do nothing to it. The same hit would dent aluminum. Not to say its invincible. If you hit it hard enough it will crack. The thinner the piece the more prone it is to crack.

UHMWPE has more flex to it and not as prone to cracking as hdpe in the event of a hard hit. UHMWPE will not slide as much as hdpe. I would think UHMWPE would grip more then aluminum. For XC I personally would choose a hdpe skid over UHMWPE. Unless the course is rocky and for sure I would be landing in hard objects. In this event I would choose UHMWPE.

I ride mostly MX and still ride with my AC kick up belly skid. Its not all that needed but it gives me piece of mind.

All this stuff can be bought at a plastic shop. I just picked up 2-1/2"x4'x8' and 2-1/4"x4'x8' sheets. Total was $1150. I'm sure its cheaper in your neck of the woods. Buying scraps would be best.

Any type of saw will cut this stuff. Table saw, skill saw is what I use the most. A Router can be used to knock down the sharp corners. low even heat will bend it. Bend beyond your desired angle. This stuff does not like to change form. Once bent hold in position until it cools.

Pricecheck · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2014, 10:56:10 PM »

I've looked on ebay for 1/4"x12"x48" uhmw and have been coming up with prices around $50. I believe 1/4" will be plenty strong in our application. I did measure the quad. 12" will cover the width and be plenty to work on bending it up front.

I've also been a member on pirate for a while. Not sure if I still pay $20 a year or not. I'm pricecheck on there as well. Spent many many hours on that site.

I do agree that the gt thunder is the best price and only requires minimal trimming. I just like having the option of having that front guard. I've read about basically heating up your bending surface (metal) and shaping your piece to the desired bend. Then you let it cool. For $50 I might experiment. Oh, and this price also included black colors.

sameltoe · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2014, 11:09:10 PM »

My front bumper has a skid plate built into it. But the gt thunder skid goes all the way to the front. It has no holes in when you get it. I used the rear factory holes, 2 rubber coated conduit clamps and that front center bolt in the bumper skid. It's held up plenty good and doesn't make the noises like the the aluminum one I have on my 450r lol

Pricecheck · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2014, 11:23:11 PM »

The more and more I read about yours sameltoe, the more it sounds good. I don't think the front wrap up is needed.

rk88r · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2014, 10:24:22 AM »

The gt thunder one is plenty long. I heated mine to bend and tuck behind a ac bumper.

Pricecheck · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2014, 11:08:34 AM »

Thank you for that tid bit. It looks like that would be the best.

To the original poster, that's my recommendation. It's light, strong, slick, good looking and cheap.

Dezsled · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2014, 12:17:40 PM »

Just posting food for thought. Factory Honda, oem '87 trx250r, home fabbed, DRD&D, badger lobo, home fab lobo

Tbone07 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2014, 12:37:55 PM »

Quote from: sameltoe;24603

My front bumper has a skid plate built into it. But the gt thunder skid goes all the way to the front. It has no holes in when you get it. I used the rear factory holes, 2 rubber coated conduit clamps and that front center bolt in the bumper skid. It's held up plenty good and doesn't make the noises like the the aluminum one I have on my 450r lol

Want to post some pics of those conduit clamps Sam?

sameltoe · « **Reply #26 on:** February 04, 2014, 01:21:49 PM »

Pricecheck · « **Reply #27 on:** February 04, 2014, 01:46:26 PM »

Sameltoe, that looks slick. Too bad I'm still rocking a factory frame. Maybe there are some square clamp things out there that'll work. Overall, I'm going to buy this skid. Maybe two and I'm going to sell my ac full skid. So, if anyone is still wanting to rock aluminum I've got one for sell.

Pricecheck · « **Reply #28 on:** February 04, 2014, 01:51:09 PM »

dezsled, I like your home fab lobo. The relief/drain/access holes look trick as well. Nice job on the welding.

Pricecheck · « **Reply #29 on:** February 04, 2014, 02:01:20 PM »

Woohoo. Scored me a gt skid!!!