Fixing side panel badges

[LTD Project]

A wee bit if advice required

I have a set of pattern side panels, unpainted and with no holes drilled to fit the side panel badges...

1. Should I drill the holes before painting? I ask because I am uncertain I will get the placement right until the graphics are in place. Views?

2. Should the holes be an "interference fit" or should they be a loose(ish) fit and rely of the clips that press onto the back of the badge pins?

The whole body set will be off to Hutch soon, is this something I could reasonably expect him to do?

Cheers

[pertonpc]

I would check the badges fit properly before painting.
Otherwise you could mark the final finish.
The fit of the pin should be good but not interference as some paint may get into the hole area and tighten it up a little.
Original badges have smaller diameter pins than the pattern ones now available I believe.
Cheers from Mark

[Garn 1]

Agree with Mark.... Drill for badges first, fit (shape) them
Find a sample side-panel to approximate position regarding horizontal and verticality, when on bike.
RegardZ.

[coldsummer]

I have found the pattern sidepanels are slightly thicker than the originals so the pins don't protrude on the inside far enough. I had to remove a fair bit of material to get enough space for the spring clips to locate securely. I would recommend a small blob of silicone as well rather than relying on the clips alone. I also agree it is probably best to drill the holes prior to painting. I seem to recall the panels have small marker indents which show the position of the holes, but these aren't very exact and I had to open mine up in order to fit the reproduction badges (although it could well be the pins on the badges were too close together).

You could always ask Hutch to fit them for you, I'm sure he would do that for a nominal fee.