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Thread: DIY Tool

  1. #1
    Very Active Member JerryB's Avatar
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    Default DIY Tool

    Hi folks,

    Now that I have a Madstad windshield on my '08 GS, it is difficult to get a small screwdriver in-place to remove the instrument panel.

    So I made a tool. I went to Home Depot & bought a small, flat tip screwdriver. I bent it 90* in a vice & it broke off ; probably due to the original heat treating.

    So I got out my torch, heated it up to anneal it, bent it 90* & then did some blacksmithing to form the tip like a screwdriver. I used my torch, a hammer, a file & a grinder to do the blacksmithing work. I finished it off with the wire wheel on my grinder to remove all of the burrs & the heating discoloration.

    tool.jpg

    The 'leg' is about 5/8" ( 15 mm ) long & I am going to shorten this to about 3/8" ( 10 mm ). The very tip is about 3/16" wide ( 5 mm ).

    I stick in into the small slot in the top of the instrument panel, push down & pull out.

    Works great.

    Jerry Baumchen

    PS) Even in the annealled state it is plenty strong enough for removing the instrument panel.

    If anyone has any questions about making something like this, drop me a PM.
    'I'll never forget what's her name.'

    'Things are more like they are now than they ever have been before.' Dwight Eisenhower

    2008 GS SE-5

  2. #2
    SpyderLovers Sponsor Motorcycledave's Avatar
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    Default

    Hi Jerry
    I did the same thing when I put mine on about 2 years ago...
    How's the seat?
    Dave

    Quote Originally Posted by JerryB View Post
    Hi folks,

    Now that I have a Madstad windshield on my '08 GS, it is difficult to get a small screwdriver in-place to remove the instrument panel.

    So I made a tool. I went to Home Depot & bought a small, flat tip screwdriver. I bent it 90* in a vice & it broke off ; probably due to the original heat treating.

    So I got out my torch, heated it up to anneal it, bent it 90* & then did some blacksmithing to form the tip like a screwdriver. I used my torch, a hammer, a file & a grinder to do the blacksmithing work. I finished it off with the wire wheel on my grinder to remove all of the burrs & the heating discoloration.

    tool.jpg

    The 'leg' is about 5/8" ( 15 mm ) long & I am going to shorten this to about 3/8" ( 10 mm ). The very tip is about 3/16" wide ( 5 mm ).

    I stick in into the small slot in the top of the instrument panel, push down & pull out.

    Works great.

    Jerry Baumchen

    PS) Even in the annealled state it is plenty strong enough for removing the instrument panel.

    If anyone has any questions about making something like this, drop me a PM.

  3. #3
    Very Active Member JerryB's Avatar
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    Hi Dave,

    Re: How's the seat?

    Love it; a great investment.

    Jerry Baumchen
    'I'll never forget what's her name.'

    'Things are more like they are now than they ever have been before.' Dwight Eisenhower

    2008 GS SE-5

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by JerryB View Post
    Hi folks,

    Now that I have a Madstad windshield on my '08 GS, it is difficult to get a small screwdriver in-place to remove the instrument panel.

    So I made a tool. I went to Home Depot & bought a small, flat tip screwdriver. I bent it 90* in a vice & it broke off ; probably due to the original heat treating.

    So I got out my torch, heated it up to anneal it, bent it 90* & then did some blacksmithing to form the tip like a screwdriver. I used my torch, a hammer, a file & a grinder to do the blacksmithing work. I finished it off with the wire wheel on my grinder to remove all of the burrs & the heating discoloration.

    tool.jpg

    The 'leg' is about 5/8" ( 15 mm ) long & I am going to shorten this to about 3/8" ( 10 mm ). The very tip is about 3/16" wide ( 5 mm ).

    I stick in into the small slot in the top of the instrument panel, push down & pull out.

    Works great.

    Jerry Baumchen

    PS) Even in the annealled state it is plenty strong enough for removing the instrument panel.

    If anyone has any questions about making something like this, drop me a PM.
    Nice ... love resourcefulness and a bit of ingenuity ..

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