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I've been busy doing some design work for a new switch plate and vin plate for Vikki. It's all been done in some free software from a german company called Schaeffer:
You design it in their CAD like program, send the file to them and once you've paid it arrives in the post a couple of days later.
Each plate i've designed is going to cost about 40-50 euros, but I don't think it's that expensive for bespoke engraving and drilling work for very low volumes (1 of each)
I need to print them out life size and make sure my measurements are correct - but what do you think? The VIN plate one could be very useful to those of you with the Marlin plate on the wrong side, so I could make the file available so you could modify it with your details. That's if you like it, of course...
I've attached the vin plate file - all you need to do is load it up in the design software, and then change the text in each of the boxes to your numbers etc. You should just be able to double click on the text (you may have to select which item you want from a list), and then change the text without knocking out the alignment of the text.
I've printed both of the plates out at actual size, and tried them on Vikki:
No pics of the switch plate, as the switches get in the way... And it's difficult to take a photo when your holding a piece of paper in both hand trying to line the holes up.
But, happy to report everything lines up, so I ordered them today. Should get them some time in the new year.
They're very nice. I could probably have got away with a thinner aluminium plate for the VIN, as both items are 3mm thick - but they're nice and solid. The inking is accurate and within all the engraving, stands out really well against the black anodised finish of the plates.
I haven't mounted the switch plate yet, as I had to take the centre console out and cut some extra holes for the heater valve stem and the starter button - that and I want to recover it.
I have mounted my starter button on the panel just to see what it'd look like, after I polished the clamping ring on it up to match the valve knob I turned in engineering class last night:
They where best guesses, from everyone else's figures. You have to declare the max permitable weights on the IVA form. As long as you're not over them when they weight the car, you could put anything down, I guess.
For reference, my car weighed (at the time - it's probably a little heavier now it's got the windscreen and spare tyre on) 891Kg
Interesting, thanks. ~900kg surprises me, I must say. Is that typical for a Sportster? I thought maybe 750 or so (but don't know why - must have read it somewhere...). Means I'm probably over-estimating the power-to-weight ratio my Cabrio'll have once it's back on the road
/googles relative density of petrol... So around 40kg for fuel and say 70kg for the examiner puts Chris's dry weight below 750kg and Jason's not much above (their cars, that is ). Thanks for the info.
