Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Technical => Technical Stickies => Topic started by: rextreme on April 20, 2005, 12:27:13 PM

Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: rextreme on April 20, 2005, 12:27:13 PM
RE-Xtreme

Folding Aluminium Number Plate Stay
 
Required Components
·          A001 â€" Aluminium Body Mount x 2 (0.75mm thick)
·          A002 â€" Aluminium Plate Mount x 2 (0.75mm thick)
·          A003 â€" Body Mount Screw x 4 (Self Tapping 4mm x 10mm)
·          A004 â€" Pivot Bolt x 2 â€" (Machine Thread 4mm x 32mm)
·          A005 â€"Plate Bolt x 2 â€" (Machine Thread 4mm x 10mm)
·          A006 â€" Mounting Nuts x 4 â€" (Machine Thread 4mm )

Optional Parts
·          A007 â€" 90 degree spring
 

Instructions
 Part Preparation

1.        Cut out parts A001 and A002 from 0.75mm Aluminium Sheet.
2.        Drill 4mm holes as shown on diagram.
3.        Bend aluminium along fold lines shown at 90degree angles
4.        Test fit components as shown in assembly diagram to ensure smooth operation.
5.        Filing the edges of components can aid smoother operation

Fitment

6.        Mark fitting location according to distance between plate mounting holes and drill holes in position
7.        Screw A001 to vehicle body using A003 self tapping Screws
8.        Assemble components by inserting A004 Pivot bolt as shown using A007 optional spring if desired and loosely tighten A006 mounting nut.
9.        Attach number plate to A002 and tighten with A006 mounting nut.
10.     Test folding and spring action

 

Notes
·          This kit is designed to be mounted on the under side of a horizontal surface
·          Folding angle is dependant upon space available and plate size
·          Folding speed is dependant upon spring strength and how well the pivot nut is secured
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: rextreme on April 20, 2005, 12:30:43 PM
As used on my Project car.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: chrisBoid on April 20, 2005, 12:42:10 PM
Somebody with the power make it sticky please!
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: g11ary on April 20, 2005, 01:00:56 PM
Done. its sticky.
Although I have seen these for sale somewhere.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: johnf on April 21, 2005, 08:50:21 AM
Doesn\'t sound legal - is it?


John
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: rextreme on April 21, 2005, 09:51:22 AM
Legal, Hmmmm.

If you tighten it so it doesnt fold.  Yes.

If not take your chances, But thats the idea isnt it.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: interloper393 on April 24, 2005, 10:15:26 AM
Is this so when you hit a certain speed, the plate will lift up and not be visable for the cameras?? lol luv it, had something similar on my 2004 fireblade lol

What do you do for the back plate?
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on May 24, 2005, 09:27:59 PM
There used to be a rear folding plate designed for bikes , but they have stopped selling them they were called flip-top plates

they worked by the top folding down over the bottom half probably via an actuator or summat , I was going to have a bash at making one but have never got round to it
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Trevrx on May 25, 2005, 07:40:42 PM
I\'ve just discovered my REAR plate is hinged and folds out horizontal at high speeds, dont know at what speed it works though,  have to get someone to follow me later!
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Gerry M on May 25, 2005, 07:44:38 PM
The majority of Jap cars RX7, GTR etc have hinged rear plate holders from the factory, usually to stiff to fold out thou, cameras are forward facing in Japan so I wouldnt think the rear holder being hinged serves a purpose.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Miguel on June 10, 2005, 06:31:23 PM
All FD3S\'s have a rear hinged No. plate - secured at the bottom with a single 10mm bolt.

If you get a 90 Degree spring suitably mounted and an electric aerial mechanism (Without the aerial), you can make an electrically operated retracting plate... Put a smiley beneath, for added effect!

We supply automatic retracting mechanisms, which will bring your front plate down at below 50 mph, but at higher speeds the plate will go horizontal (& upside down). It\'s a simple unit to fit.

Used by some people to maximise flow to their intercooler.

Our kit also has a bolt location (10mm bolt) so it can be locked in display position if preferred.

Available at £70 + £7 postage. Delivery in a week.

See here for details:

http://www.neweraparts.com/partinfo.jsp?pid=11
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: interloper393 on June 28, 2005, 04:38:04 PM
Im going to buy these automatic ones, where i live they`ve just placed thos new gatso`s everywhere so im gunna be banned in like a day lol..
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on June 28, 2005, 05:25:59 PM
Mate I wouldn\'t rely on a hinged number plate to protect your license , it\'ll make a good second precaution but I\'d go and get yourself a GPS detector , you can\'t go wrong with an Origin B2 ( mines saved me many a time ) the other one of choice is the road angel , haven\'t heard a bad word about either

You may think they\'re pricey but it was the best £400ish I\'ve ever spent , at the end of the day how much is your license worth
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: interloper393 on June 28, 2005, 05:32:28 PM
To true bud, i thought they made the road angels illegal? where do u have yours in yer rex lol
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on June 28, 2005, 05:45:16 PM
I heard some bull about them trying to make GPS detectors illegal a while ago , what are they going to do ban Tom Tom and all the other GPS route finders as well , they can have speed camera sites loaded up as well

Don\'t pay any attention to rumours , if they make them illegal shops will have to let you know they are before you buy one , remember when Radrar detectors where illegal , didn\'t take long for one person to challenge it in court and hay presto they\'re legal
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: interloper393 on June 28, 2005, 05:48:28 PM
they said that the radar detectors on there own are going to be banned but the gprs sat nav with built in ones will remain legal.. lol what fooking differance does that make, just means the satnav guys make more money,

Load o weewee!!
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on June 28, 2005, 06:44:29 PM
They\'ve already had a ban on normal radar detectors overturned so how can they ban them again without good reason

they banned them before because of the data protection act , when it was proved that they didn\'t actually intercept the signal just alerted you to the fact it was there they didn\'t have a leg to stand on

The only reason they want to ban detectors is coz less poeple are getting caught , proof that cameras are to make money not to slow people down , if they really wanted to slow people down would it really matter that you sowed down coz your detectors starts bleeping or because you see the camera

besides normal radar detectors are next to useless now as Truvelo ( forward facing  ) don\'t use radar or laser  , SPECS ( the ones that calculate average speed ) don\'t use radar or laser , and the mobile traps use laser not radar these days and on these your usually caught before you can be alerted unless there are lots of cars around

If I am wrong on any of this info please let me know , better still does anyone know a friendly copper that can give us the actuall letter of the law , I don\'t see any these days ( coz i don\'t get caught no more :) )
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: quartermain on July 20, 2005, 01:39:48 PM
The original ban was under the Wireless Telegraphy Act (I may be wrong about the exact name) which also makes it illegal to listen in on police radio frequencies. The wording of the Act refers to listening to a "communication".

The legal challenge was that radar and laser speed detectors measure reflected signals, ie there is no signal actively transmitted from the car, just a reflection, and for there to be a "communication" there had to be signals actively generated in both directions. Since no "communication" was taking place, the Act did not apply.

The Government is planning a new law which will make radar and laser detectors illegal to use. Because it doesn\'t rely on a new interpretation of an old law and is being put in for a specific purpose, I don\'t think it will be easy to challenge.

You may have seen that Blackspot now make two versions of the new Road Angel - one is pure GPS and one has a laser detector as well. So they clearly think that the law will stand.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: ds2000 on July 20, 2005, 01:44:22 PM
hehe I\'m loving that!

BTW what bumper is that?
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on July 20, 2005, 04:24:41 PM
Quatermain ,

How will I stand with my Origin B2 ? it uses GPS but also has a laser detector pluged in to it , if I unplugged the laser it will be just GPS , do you think I\'ll get away with this ???
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: interloper393 on July 20, 2005, 09:01:19 PM
I reckon if its hidden then u`ll be ok, if its not in plain view then the`d need a warrent surly to search yer car for it?? lol..

Theres always a way :) :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: jetpilot on July 21, 2005, 12:37:02 PM
I thought the old law stated it was not illegal to have them, but illegal to use them, so they had to prove it was switched. The new law from what i heard was it was going to be illegal to own one, which kinda helps them.

Re the number plate on springs, i have seen those available.

A far better way to do this, is use a central door locking solenoid attach to the same sort of framework, which is then activated by a switch. My friend made one on his bike years ago, using the flash to pass switch, he was a bit of nerd so also had a master arming switch and 2 led\'s, green and red to say if it was armed and also if it was in the fold down position, even had a sticker behind number plate saying bye bye gatso, and it operated so quick. It is really easy to do with the right door solenoid, just a few wires, and a couple of switches. Can find out the precise wiring if anyones interested.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on July 21, 2005, 04:20:07 PM
Quote from: interloper393I reckon if its hidden then u`ll be ok, if its not in plain view then the`d need a warrent surly to search yer car for it?? lol..

Theres always a way :) :) :) :) :) :)

unfortunatley it needs to be on the windscreen so it can pick front and back

I\'ll wait untill I hear some concrete wording on the new law and then decide what to do , the laser alert has actually only gone off twice in the 2 years I\'ve had it

Jetpilot ,

See if you can get details , this sounds just like the fliptop plates they used to sell for bikes a few years back
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: jetpilot on July 21, 2005, 05:57:07 PM
You could be right buddy, i thought i saw something like it on the market. Such a simple system though and proabably loads cheaper. Will have a word and check on the exact wiring.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on July 21, 2005, 07:06:54 PM
if I remember correctly the fliptop plates where about £70 , unfortunatley they don\'t make them anymore as I was going to try and modify one for the car
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: jetpilot on July 21, 2005, 07:34:07 PM
Ok, have spoken to my buddy who did this.
This will read like Blue Peter
Youe need:
2 Wire Central Locking Solenoid
Activation Switch
Appropraite Guage Wire
Metal Bracket
Thin magnetic strips.

The method is, a positive wire to the central locking solenid from the switch, other down to earth, you will have to work out which way it fires. the best way is to have it so the solenoid is activated (+) to make the plate down and up when not activated. Make up a bracket and stick on the magnetic strips to rear of number plate and frame so when its up it stays up, just a precaution really. The rest is trial and error.
Hope that helps.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: interloper393 on July 21, 2005, 10:45:23 PM
Can your m8 make one if i send the money?

Im needing something lol.. where i live, they have just put up those average speed cameras and there bloody everywhere :(

I know its not a certain way of never getting caught but every little helps lol
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Miguel on July 22, 2005, 01:18:16 AM
We sell professionally made ones that hinge perfectly, going up at around 45 mph and returning to position at lower speeds.

They\'re much better quality than most people without specialist equipment could make - and are of stainless steel so they won\'t rust.

£70 + £7 postage & packing. Available from stock:

http://www.neweraparts.com/partinfo.jsp?pid=11
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: ds2000 on July 22, 2005, 09:03:09 AM
^ Definately will be having one of those once the FD is back on the road :D
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: interloper393 on July 22, 2005, 09:50:06 AM
To right  :burnout

Buy a few lol  :wave
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on July 22, 2005, 06:20:45 PM
Quote from: interloper393Can your m8 make one if i send the money?

Im needing something lol.. where i live, they have just put up those average speed cameras and there bloody everywhere :(

I know its not a certain way of never getting caught but every little helps lol


Get yourself a gps detector aswell , my origin b2 does all fixed cameras think the road angel does aswell , both excellent products
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: pete.f on July 28, 2005, 05:03:25 PM
just put your number plate in the bin, it worked for me lol. ive never used a front number plate for 3 years, and in that time ive been fined 3 times, £90 in total. how much money it has saved me, and how many points i have avoided i might never know, but im betting its a hell of a lot more than ive paid in fines lol
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on July 28, 2005, 05:09:06 PM
Quote from: pete.fjust put your number plate in the bin, it worked for me lol. ive never used a front number plate for 3 years, and in that time ive been fined 3 times, £90 in total. how much money it has saved me, and how many points i have avoided i might never know, but im betting its a hell of a lot more than ive paid in fines lol


So what do you tell the coppers when they ask where your front plate is ???
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: pete.f on July 28, 2005, 07:13:33 PM
\'must have fallen off in the carwash\' or something along them lines, more often than not i get away with it. im always very polite to coppers, it pays lol. one of my fines was from a really arrogant copper, who just wanted to swear at me and abuse me, and when he asked where it was i told him i put it in the bin, kinda asked for that one
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on July 28, 2005, 07:21:46 PM
Just realised I think I saw your car at JAE near the traders , me and kirsty we\'re complementing you on having the good taste to colour code the indicators and reflectors looks good , by the way can I have your wheels ?? I almost got so like them in 18\'s but didn\'t think I liked them so bought different ones only to get home and saw a pic of some on an rx and thought they looked sweet
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: kirsty on July 28, 2005, 09:11:05 PM
lol - I remember that chat . . . . been looking at loads saying \'Why didn\'t they finish it off - just needs the indicators done." then we saw that one looking exceptionally sweet.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: pete.f on July 29, 2005, 07:44:26 AM
the car was parked on opie oils stand on the saturday. thanks for the compliments guys. the indicators and reflectors were the first thing i did when i got the car home lol
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: interloper393 on July 29, 2005, 03:48:04 PM
can i see some pictures please :)
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Mark Ide on August 11, 2005, 10:28:05 PM
Quote from: pete.fthe car was parked on opie oils stand on the saturday. thanks for the compliments guys. the indicators and reflectors were the first thing i did when i got the car home lol
Pete I have worked out where to get the clear indicators (Rotary Extreme) but can you tell me where you got your clear reflectors (sides of front bumper) from?
Thanks
Mark
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: m1tch on March 21, 2008, 11:35:21 PM
The best solution is to erm NOT SPEED lol just leave high speeds to the track, I dunno how you guys can afford to run high boost and high speed with the fuel prices lol
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Zakktheaxman on March 22, 2008, 12:16:15 AM
People Are Buying These??? I Just Used Two Hinges I Found In The Shed And Now My Plate Isnt Visable Above 20km/h...
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: karl_tate on March 22, 2008, 08:31:39 AM
erm, old thread
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: jetpilot on January 25, 2012, 11:45:58 AM
Going to try to get something like this made up, so if there is any interest let me know :)
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: C J R on January 28, 2012, 05:32:54 PM
Don\'t want to be a kill joy, but I had one of these on the front number plate. Stopped by the Police and fined for not correctly displaying the number plate. (yes it was funny for a split second when the Police man said I\'ve stopped you for not having a front number plate, he walked to the front of the car and exclaimed, oh you do have one..and then pushed it and watched it swing up out of sight !! He was not amused and I got the fine.)
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: jetpilot on January 28, 2012, 05:39:54 PM
Fines i will take! Its mainly for track use anyway officer, i just forgot to secure it after my last one!
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: rx-dave on February 13, 2012, 08:33:10 AM
What about an electric type one i\'ve seen used on bikes, they would be perfect :Thumbs-up
Dave.
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Tintin on February 13, 2012, 09:07:53 AM
If I recall correctly the bike ones where made by a company called flip top, I looked long and hard for one years ago but couldn\'t find one do I decided to make my own but couldn\'t work out a simple mechanism to make the plate fold
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: jetpilot on February 13, 2012, 09:07:57 AM
They are relatively easy to make, but still have to be armed! I was just thinking this would work well as you can install and forget about it knowing at motorway speeds you are getting full cooling!

If you want to make an electric one, just use a central locking motor wired to a switch!
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: Aceman on February 14, 2012, 11:16:03 PM
Why make a folding number plate, when you can buy one cheaply from the states??

Had one on my car for years now, cost next to nothing (£30 ish, inc postage and import).

They\'re an optional extra on Corvettes (fold away for states that don\'t require front plates, fold back out for states that do). Just check out Corvette spares/parts sales!
Title: Folding Number Plate - Make One
Post by: jetpilot on February 15, 2012, 09:21:18 AM
Quote from: Aceman;812304Why make a folding number plate, when you can buy one cheaply from the states??

Had one on my car for years now, cost next to nothing (£30 ish, inc postage and import).

They\'re an optional extra on Corvettes (fold away for states that don\'t require front plates, fold back out for states that do). Just check out Corvette spares/parts sales!

A number of reasons for me compared to a spring mounting, because it works via a motor you will never know if its actually worked, you will perhaps forget when you are off motorways, the ones i have seen are quite slow and if i ever saw say a laser or specs and "wanted" to retract the plate it might be read in the time it takes to retract and then there is the whole legality issue!

When i make the spring mount it will be lockable so you might get away with, sorry, i forgot to lock it out after the last time i was on track i just use it to help cooling, rather than, i deliberately pressed a button to hide my number plate from you!