Creating of vent/holes @ engine side panel.

[pecker]

Hello everyone, 
I would like your opinions/thoughts/experiences regarding this matter please.

Currently thinking of doing something along these lines, i have got a few ideas from looking around : Vertical slots - horizontal slots - drilled holes at certain areas(in different patterns)

Will be on the same line as the RAM filter im using direct to carb box.

As always
All the best
pek 

[ironsloth]

I've got a VW beetle engine cover I bought for a fiver, I'm going to cut that out and use the vents there on that. It was the later non scallop version. Another mate of mine got the earlier style beetle engine cover to do the same with. Looks a lot nicer. Before I bought that (still might do it.... 😁) I had a pair of "well used" steel toe cap boots, the boots had seen better days, I cut the toe cap out and I may still use that, with some mesh behind it. The curvature on the toe cap, plus the flat part on the bottom, will make for a fairly decent "scoop", plus it should mount nicely.... 😆

[citydaz]

Hi 
the scooter republic shop do some side panels with some neat cut-outs.£200.
take a look might give you some ideas.

[ironsloth]

Sept 21, 2017 16:05:14 GMT citydaz said:

Hi 
the scooter republic shop do some side panels with some neat cut-outs.£200.
take a look might give you some ideas.

£200? Wow.... I've not looked and I'm not saying that they are not good quality but, sh*t me that's a lot of cash for a frigging hole... I'm sure for that price someone on here would do that for you and you would have change for a pint and a burger afterwards... My gast has never been so flabbered... At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask...

[mijapxman]

I like the look of the holes in the engine panel of the Atoms ( I think it's called) racer.


First photo on the left, in sixth row from the bottom of the rally photos,in the below link 👇


www.scooterlab.uk/geoff-panic-sandy-moo-dirty-devils-rally-2017-rallery/


I also have the outer case from an old microwave, that has some nice vents, plan is to weld them into some spare panels at some point, but also like the "Atoms" px vents, as shown in link above.
I have seen some nice vents stamped into ironing board tops, as well and the size looked perfect for a side panel.👌

Have done some slots before by taping masking tape on the panel, drawing desired shape, drilling each end of the slot
with a cone type drill to the size I wanted , thus giving a nice semi-circle to each end, then cut out the rest of the slot
with a cutting disk on a Dremel type drill, finished of by using araldite to hold on some alloy mesh. See link below 👇.



Have also used a metal cutting holesaw in the past and the good thing about those is they usually come in a set with
different size saws.

I'M also thinking of adding a vent at the very top point of the panel and maybe down the back too, towards the indicator, to let heat out, as, if you feel the engine panel on a long run
You can feel how hot it gets, sometimes it's too hot to touch for any length of time. 

Should also add, I have no interest of going into the science of it, as any cut-down, with no panels I've had, have went great with the engines hanging in the breeze.👍

All the best

Mij☺

[pecker]

Cheers guys very much for the responses,
I do like the atoms design mentioned, very cool.
And appreciate the descriptions you have given.
City d I have noticed what you mentioned, but thank you all the same, and do agree with others regarding being a bit pricey.
I think that I will cut three slots as mentioned (front face only) and apply mesh behind.

Trouble is its the old measure twice cut once scenario, so no boo boos allowed.
Would a jigsaw with metal blade be of use ?
As always
Pek

[mijapxman]

Pecker,  yes a jigsaw with a fine toothed metal cutting blade would do it for the longer straight cuts, be careful as the base p!ate of the jigsaw will have to follow the panel curve! Or it will bounce/ jump about! feel free to have a practice, without the blade in the jigsaw in the exact place you want your slots, to get a "feel " for how you'll need to move the jigsaw,
for the ends, you could use an electric/ battery drill, with possibly the biggest dill you have?, You could Finnish the hole to size with a round hand file, if you wish,
as cutting the ends accurately with the jigsaw will be near impossible.
If your panel is already painted, use masking tape over and around where the slot is going ,to try and save your paint, do this before you even practice, cut or drill.

Good luck.
Mij☺

[henri]

the tsr panels with slots are just brand new lml ones . another option is swaging tools ,as just cutting slots leaves a thin edge thats prone to vibrate an split .if a pattern of round holes is acceptable ,drill holes with a step drill to size wanted ,buy the right size swage ,clamp on an tighten an it rolls the edge .this stiffens the panel edge an prevents splits .H

[pecker]

Thanks again for the responses very informative....
Just thought would be a nice little touch for bike and good idea to get done before all goes of to mr nice spray man.
Everything will be going of soon just awaiting confirmation of BIG list of bits.

So hopefully wont be long to get back on to topic,(malossi 166 - pm pipe - polini ventura).

pek

[citydaz]

Hi,
I think that as with most things you need all the tools, the skill, the time and a good deal of patience to do a good job.
Good point though about not leaving any sharp edges as this will be a stress raiser and with all the vibration, the source for crack propagation.
good luck!
Citydaz

[pecker]

Just thought I'd mention after creation of vent I will have to perform a thorough jetting test as potentially quite a bit more air going directly through filter and into carb box and so most probably run weak.
Do any of you guys have any predictions in what could be different ?.
Cheers
Pek

[mijapxman]

www.frost.co.uk/sheet-metal-hole-flares.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw6ZLOBRALEiwAxzyCWzna5bbMW-jckKhXzAyrf7NrzyNNhZyIDgbySulPr7Pmt3NwE8xGNxoC0O0QAvD_BwE

Henri's idea is very good , expensive for a few holes if you need to buy the tools, I was trying to keep it cheap😉

To try to stop splits in the metal @ your slots, is why I was recommending semi-circle ends.😉

That's also why I was mentioning cutting vents from something else that has been stamped out and welding them to
a side panel.😉

As for jetting, you could try a few plug chops or fit a temp gauge if you don't have one already?

All the best.

Mij☺