My custom number plate mount

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:03 pm

The look of the standard number plate stuck high up on the nose absolutely kills the look of the front of the 5. I had a bit of a think about what could be done without going out and buying a bracket. I wasn't sure whether to mount it up high again or down low but decided on down low.

This was acheived by shortening the uprights on the standard bracket. I then used some 20mm tubing as a spacer and mounted it to new holes in the mounting bracket. The new holes were made to move the plate back closer to the bar. These screws had to be countersunk to allow the tubing to fit up against the flared moiunting holes on the bar. (found this out the hard way of course).

By removing the original bar mounting screws and replacing with longer ones (can't believe I found two in the shed) I was able to mount the new bracket to the underside of the bar.

The result is the plate sits down nice and low and by replacing the standard plate with a slimline it does not impede airflow through to the radiator.

Before (yuk)

After

The bracket (needs a paint) (can't see it so probably wont get one)

Casey · Postby **Casey** » Fri May 23, 2008 7:55 pm

Nice job. Done just how I like it - no drilling holes in the body work or doing irreversible modifications.

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:01 pm

Great idea, I love the look. Did you just get a slim line for the front? How much did it cost to get one if you dont mind me asking?

Ben,

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:43 pm

Casey - That was the aim. Wasn't sure if I would want it there or on the top so the goal was to fit it to existing mounting points.

Ben - Yes I just got the front in a slimline. It was $38 give or take. It's about an extra $11 for a slimline over a standard replacement plate.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:43 pm

emexv wrote:

It looks very heavy. Might throw the balance of the car, and make it nose heavy. :mrgreen:

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:55 pm

emexv wrote:Ben - Yes I just got the front in a slimline. It was $38 give or take. It's about an extra $11 for a slimline over a standard replacement plate.

I didn't relise that vic roads did that, I shall call them on monday and order a slimline

Thanks!!

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:01 pm

Hammer - I offset the wieght up the nose buy sitting my fat arse behind the front wheels :lol:

Ben - Yes, you have to order them over the phone. You can't order them on-line like custom plates. It took 5 working days to arrive.

Alex · Postby **Alex** » Sat May 24, 2008 2:12 am

wow, good idea, must say i've never seen anything done like that before

Postby **Okibi** » Sat May 24, 2008 4:52 am

I had our plate down there like that for a couple of years, these brackets have been around for years:

http://www.teammiata.com/mall/TM305.htm

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:11 am

Okibi wrote:I had our plate down there like that for a couple of years, these brackets have been around for years:

http://www.teammiata.com/mall/TM305.htm

I hadn't seen these before. Would of taken the fun out of it though. I like to sit in the shed and ponder on what to do next. Gives me an excuse to escape the madness in the house and have a couple of quiet ales.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:12 am

EMEX5 well done for trying something different- it does look better. One thing I would perhaps look at is replace the steel rhs bolted underneath with a aluminium rhs. That way you will never have rust and it is so light. The nbr plate and bracket is light so alu should have enough strength.You can buy plastic bungs at Clarks for the rhs to finish it neatly. Bunnings sell alu sections.

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:23 am

Mr Morlock wrote:EMEX5 well done for trying something different- it does look better. One thing I would perhaps look at is replace the steel rhs bolted underneath with a aluminium rhs. That way you will never have rust and it is so light. The nbr plate and bracket is light so alu should have enough strength.You can buy plastic bungs at Clarks for the rhs to finish it neatly. Bunnings sell alu sections.

The aluminium is a good idea. I used steel because the aim was to use stuff I had in the shed. I need to paint it so a small length of ali is probably no more expensive than a can of paint. Maybe there will be a MKII version. I didn't think of the plastic bungs....I will definately do that.

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Sun May 25, 2008 6:23 pm

I checked this out when I saw your car parked outside sandown today (I parked next to you). I think i'll be definetly doing the same thing, it looked great! Very nice car by the way!

Ben,

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:32 am

bensale wrote:I checked this out when I saw your car parked outside sandown today (I parked next to you). I think i'll be definetly doing the same thing, it looked great! Very nice car by the way!

Ben,

Cheers Ben, I had a look at your car as I left. Looks nice. Now if I can just put a face to the car I'll be right. Was that you in the High vis vest ?

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Mon May 26, 2008 3:28 pm

emexv wrote:
bensale wrote:I checked this out when I saw your car parked outside sandown today (I parked next to you). I think i'll be definetly doing the same thing, it looked great! Very nice car by the way!

Ben,

Cheers Ben, I had a look at your car as I left. Looks nice. Now if I can just put a face to the car I'll be right. Was that you in the High vis vest ?

Yeah that was me in the vest

I needed it as they wouldn't allow me to go anywhere to film except the pit lane without it. Now I need to do likewise with you! (I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities)