I just wanted to give a heads-up to those of you who have installed the Kuryakyn curved license plate frame. I installed mine recently, and after less than a 1000 miles it broke at the left mounting hole from vibration. I rode my bike (Street Glide) to work the other day and I noticed that my plate was crooked on the bike. It was hanging down on the left side. I thought that one of the two mounting screws had come out, but the screws were still in place. The complete left tab broke in half. Looking at the break I can see that the frame is made out of pot metal - really cheap stuff. Kuryakyn has always had a reputation for having low quality products, but I still buy them because their designs are so innovative.

Anyway, make sure that you check your plate often if you installed this piece! If you don't and it breaks on you, it will chew up your fender paint and eventually you may lose your plate altogether. I'm glad that I caught mine immediately. I wash my bike after almost every ride, so I noticed it right away. That plate vibrates a lot and I'm not surprised that it broke, especially considering that it's made of pot metal. Thedealer replaced it at no charge, and I'm installing the foam adhesive in a different location this time to hopefully prevent a reoccurence of the problem. Sorry, no pics. FYI

Doug

 

After riding home from Daytona, I noticed my plate was missing. Same thing...both tabs snapped off. I assumed some A**hole snapped it off for a souvenir. Now I'm wondering if it just broke off...HMMM!

 

I think that there is a way for you to determine what happened. If someone broke it off just to be a jerk, you would probably see no fender damage (scratched up paint). If your bracket broke like mine, I would think that your paint would be scratched, because it's not likely that both tabs broke at exactly the same time. After one tab breaks, the frame would be hanging loosley by the other remaining tab, scratching your fender in the process.

Doug

 

Yep, there was a small scratch that luckily is hidden under the new plate. Did not put a new Kury frame on, tho. Figured it was a target.

 

First, No I don't work for them.......but, Kuryakyn has some fairly good products, not exactly what I would call low end. But more importantly, they have the best customer service/tech line I've ever used. On my last bike, whenI was having trouble with my carb (I was running a Hypercharger) I emailed them to ask a question. Not only did they get back to me by email, but they had one of their techs in Californacall the dealership and walk him through the fix. I agree that the plate is faulty, what I am saying is that I would bet money on it, that if youcontact Kuryakyn, they will be the first to step up and help you.....and there aren't a lot of companies that will do that. If I was you Tomcat, I would email them about your bike, tell them about Dougs bike and see what happens.....it couldn't hurt

 

I don`t know if this will help but when I noticed how much the plate was vibrating at low speeds and idle, I took a piece of 1" rubber hose about 4" long and split it in half lengthwise. I then used a screw driver to slid it up under the bracket. It wedged in nicely without actually moving the bracket out. It keeps the plate from vibrating. I have not been able to ride much with it this way but just looking at it when idling it has made a big difference. Time will tell!

Ride Safe,

Mike

 

Sounds like a good idea Mike. I don't know if it has always been this way, but Kuryakyn is now including a 4" long rubber strip with an adhesive backing. The installation instructions make no mention of this rubber strip, so I assume that it was placed in the kits retroactively by Kuryakyn. My original plate had this rubber piece also, but it obviously did me no good. This time I installed the rubber piece at the very top of the plate, where the two mounting screws are. The last time I installed the rubber piece down towards the bottom of the plate. Live and learn.

Doug

 

Yeah that strip was supplied with mine too. I put it on the places that would hit the fender first if it moved. I don`t think they will stop any vibration though. That is why I went with the rubber hose.

Ride Safe,

Mike

 

anybody have a positive experience with the plate? got onee from ebay and am now scared to install it?

 

Why would anyone want to put a "straight" plate in a curved holder? I think that the problem.
J/K