Getting rid of centre console on MkIII. Options ect.

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Coco

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I want to get rid of that hideous black centre console on my MkIII. I have looked at the older head light buckets with the warning lights enclosed and that is sort of what I'm after. The only thing is the 3-way switch seems to be available on all the headlight buckets I've looked at. The headlight is always on so I don't need that switch since the hi/low light switches are on my bars. I'm thinking of putting the neutral light in the 3-way switch hole instead.

The next issue would be the ignition switch. Is it a pain in the arse to move it down under the tank or where it was located on the MkII? Would it be easier to fab some sort of ignition switch holder and mount it to the threaded inserts that used to be used to fasten the plastic console to the upper fork yolk?

Have any of you done such a conversion?
 
My bike is a 74 so no centre console. However, I moved my ignition switch to the right side and slightly lower when I converted to Mikuni carb and K&N air filter. Please e-mail me offlist if you would like to see some photos of the aluminum bracket I made.
 
tpeever said:
My bike is a 74 so no centre console. However, I moved my ignition switch to the right side and slightly lower when I converted to Mikuni carb and K&N air filter. Please e-mail me offlist if you would like to see some photos of the aluminum bracket I made.
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Will do.
 
I know the cats over at Colorado Norton Works fab a nicer centre console from aluminum or stainless 1/8" plate for their custom bikes but they don't sell such a thing to the masses, although they should. Well, to me anyway. 8)
 
Still looking for something. Any one know of anything custom or who I could go to to get something done? maybe someone knows someone who has made a nice replacement?
 
Coco said:
Still looking for something. Any one know of anything custom or who I could go to to get something done? maybe someone knows someone who has made a nice replacement?
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How about an alloy centre console from an old Moto Guzzi? The ones with all the coloured warning lights. Not sure how available they might be but one of these would look pretty good on a Commando dontcha think?
 
tpeever said:
Coco said:
Still looking for something. Any one know of anything custom or who I could go to to get something done? maybe someone knows someone who has made a nice replacement?
Click to expand...

How about an alloy centre console from an old Moto Guzzi? The ones with all the coloured warning lights. Not sure how available they might be but one of these would look pretty good on a Commando dontcha think?
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I havn't seen what you are talking about but I think I can visualize something similar.

Anything to get rid of that plastic thing. It's broken and a new one will break again anyway and the sticker will fade and peel off. :twisted:
 
Coco said:
Anything to get rid of that plastic thing. It's broken and a new one will break again anyway and the sticker will fade and peel off.
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The plastic consoles and stickers are still easily available and cheap.

However the original Pistor & Kronert MkIII warning light colours are not!

So don't throw them away even if they don't work (as they can be repaired) and they won't fit the holes in the earlier type headlamp shell anyway.
The last used MkIII console with the warning lights (and switch?) I saw on UK ebay sold for around £50-£70 I think?
 
Getting rid of centre console on MkIII. Options ect.
 
L.A.B. said:
Coco said:
Anything to get rid of that plastic thing. It's broken and a new one will break again anyway and the sticker will fade and peel off.
Click to expand...

The plastic consoles and stickers are still easily available and cheap.

However the original Pistor & Kronert MkIII warning light colours are not!

So don't throw them away even if they don't work (as they can be repaired) and they won't fit the holes in the earlier type headlamp shell anyway.
The last used MkIII console with the warning lights (and switch?) I saw on UK ebay sold for around £50-£70 I think?
Click to expand...

I can use the warning lights that were in the original Lucas head light shells like on MKII's. I am not concerned about using the original lights so anything will work for my wants and needs. I don't throw anything away.
 
austinnorton said:
FWIW, Relocating to a lower position is still preferable IMHO

Getting rid of centre console on MkIII. Options ect.
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That is what I'm talking about! Screw that plastic p.o.s.!

Who made that for you, or did you do it?

What kind of warning lights are those?

I'm going to track down a local fab guy and pick his brain. Even if someone could make me a copy of that plastic thing in aluminum.

It sure would be nice if someone sold these pre made as I'm sure I'm not the only guy who hates the plastic ones. It is like seeing a huge wart on the face of a beautiful woman.
 
The piece was fab'd from some aluminum scrap. Laid it out on paper, cut it on a band saw, bent it with a hammer in a vise, drill sand/file, finished with gunkote from kg ind. The LED's were sourced from Radio Shack.
 
austinnorton said:
The piece was fab'd from some aluminum scrap. Laid it out on paper, cut it on a band saw, bent it with a hammer in a vise, drill sand/file, finished with gunkote from kg ind. The LED's were sourced from Radio Shack.
Click to expand...

Nice. I work at a place that sells aluminum and stainless and has a laser, so I was thinking of getting one of the CAD guys in processing to do something up for me after I draw them something.

I can get things cut on the laser anytime. I have access to a small break as well so I might just make something myself. I'm not the best at doing fab work, which is why I wanted to buy something, but seeing as there is nothing available, homebrew seems to be the answer.
 
I talked to my processing guys and I'm going to get some done on the laser. I'll probably get a few so if anyone here wants one let me know.

I'm thinking made from 18ga stainless steel. It will have all the holes lasered out as well so stock lights or aftermarket will fit right in.

It will look similar to austinnorton's but more true to original size. All anyone would have to do would be to bend the tabs down so they can be mounted on the bosses on the top triple tree, get a front piece welded on, then polishing ect.
 
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