Introduction: How to Build an EZTag Holder for a Motorcycle

By www.woodshopcowboy.com
About: Patrick Waters is an award-winning educator who brings the Maker Movement to new audiences. He founded The STEAMworks, a makerspace for individuals with neurological differences at The Monarch Institute in Ho…


When I bought my Bonnie last August, I also bought an EZPass, one of those toll booth RFID tags.  I got the old-school cigarette pack-sized one, not one of the new stickers.

It comes with instructions.  Attach to windshield.  My Bonneville, and many motorcycles like it, does not have a windshield.

So, I built a small plate for the tag which attaches to the speedometer and tach.  It's not the most aesthetically  pleasing piece of work, nor complicated, but I've found it extremely useful.  And it hasn't fallen off yet!

check out my other projects @ www.woodshopcowboy.com

Step 1: Materials & Tools

Materials & Tools:

1 Sheet of Light Gauge Aluminum (bought at home center)
1 Pack of industrial quality Velcro (bought at home center)

Tools:

Metal Snips
Nail Punch & Mallet
FIle
Permanent Marker
Metal Ruler & Dial Caliper
French Curve Set

Step 2: Measurements


First thing to do is to measure the distance between the two small nuts on the bottom of your motorcycle's speedo & tach.  I used a dial caliper to do this, though I'm sure you can use something else.  This is the measurement you can't get wrong - the entire plate will hang from these two points, and the bolts are small.  Getting it right is important.

Next I measured the distance necessary to clear the top of the gauges.  I think this turned out to 1.5" or so.

Last but not least, measure the size of the tag - we want to know it's dimensions so we can estimate the size needed for the tag.

Step 3: Layout of Plate & Cutting the Plate

Using a little planning skills, I marked on the sheet metal the dimensions of the plate.  I used the french curve to make some nice curves on the bottom and the top - giving it a more professional look.

Next, use the metal snips to cut out the plate.

Step 4: Filing the Edges & Punching Holes

I loaded the plate into my vise and filed the edges with a single-cut bastard file.

Next, I punched holes using a nail set & mallet into the pre-marked spots.

Step 5: Bend the Plate & Attach EZPass


I bent the plate over in the vise.

Then unscrew the small nuts on the bottom of the speedo & tach.  Place the plate into the bolts & reattach the nuts.

Place the velcro on the plate, but the opposite side on the EZPass, attach EZPass.

Done!

As always, your mileage may vary - I'm sure a Kaw would have different dimensions, so I avoided putting those in.  Takes about an hour to get this done.