Securing side panels

[SteveW]

Decided to secure my side panels on the 650.

This is not really to prevent them accidentally falling off, its more to stop them being nicked.
Was at a bike show earlier in the year when a bloke came back to his bike to find the panels gone.

The cost of replacing panels plus paint and the badges amount to a fair bit of cash.

The stainless pvc covered wire rope with a packet of crimp on eyelets was a tenner from Amazon. I just used fiberglass resin and a tiny bit of matting to fix it onto the panel, other end just through the nearest bolt.

Link to the wire:
https://amzn.eu/d/4EwMAYB

[Nurse Julie]

That is an excellent idea,  thanks for sharing.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

It's a sad reflection of society that such measures are necessary.

[Moorey]

   If they were nicking them do you not think they would just pull them until your glassing or the panel broke as either way they have nothing to lose.

[Oddjob]

If you can see any of the lugs protruding through the frame rubbers couldn't you drill a small hole in the top 2 and fit a R split pin so you can remove them by lifting the seat. If they go to remove them it shouldn't allow it (also stops you accidentally loosing one whilst riding) and if they force it they'll break the lugs off thus making them useless to them.

[Skoti]

Yep,

the 'R' pin idea is what I went with on my F1 oil tank side panel which becomes a slack fit when the engine oil heats up.

Simple and effective, in fact I may have nicked the idea from this forum in the past, but can't remember...

[Lobo]

Maybe the best bet is a spare / cheapo pair of rat panels if taking the bike somewhere of concern?

[Oddjob]

AFAIK the R clip idea is one of mine, I've certainly never heard of it being suggested by anyone else.

[Lobo]

… another idea could be a couple of side panel micro-switches hot wired to the horn. Or better still a 240VAC inverter in the panels to help identify the scum via his corpse…😂

[Bryanj]

I prefer the south african flame thrower idea

[robvangulik]

AFAIK the R clip idea is one of mine, I've certainly never heard of it being suggested by anyone else.

I had my 750K2 sidepanels secured that way in 1976, after losing the right side one....

[Laverda Dave]

I prefer the south african flame thrower idea

🤣🤣