Intuitive Frame Slider Installation Guide

Let us preface this article with what we have learned about frame sliders in general over the last 20 something years:

As it turns out, frame sliders that mount low on a motorcycle chassis have a tendency to dig in to soft substrate like grass or gravel once they leave the asphalt and they frequently end up flipping the bike causing damage to the top and the other side of the bike as well. Now of course not all crashes are identical and just like rolling the dice you never know what you are going to get until the bike stops moving, but I think it is safe to say that mounting frame sliders on an RC51 is a bit more of a risk than we ever originally thought it would be. I would also be remiss to not point out that as the RC51 has become more of a cult and collector bike that finding examples with uncut fairings has been exceedingly more desirable and thus more valuable...

If you still want to learn how to accurately cut and install the sliders the excellent article below will guide you through that process.

	So the project begins--with my faithful companion looking at me and thinking, "You better not mess up...Hole Saws aren't forgiving (Fig. 1)!" To start off with you'll need: - Frame Sliders - A small drill bit (for the pilot holes) - A 2" Hole Saw - A can of "Play Doh" (just trust me on this one) - (2) 17mm sockets with extentions - Masking tape - Dremel Tool with sanding drum (optional) - Black Sharpie Marker - Torque Wrench

One last look at the panels before we get started (Fig. 2). Do I really want to cut holes in these...YEAH! Start by removing the side panels off your bike.

	Next, remove the nut from your "through bolt" with a 17mm socket (Fig. 3). It's on pretty tight so you'll have to put a little effort into it. Once the nut is off, place it to the side (you'll be using it later.) You won't need the washer. Now tap on the bolt to push it out the other side. Then grab the bolt (Fig. 4) and pull it out.

Now tap on the bolt to push it out the other side. Then grab the bolt (Fig. 4) and pull it out.

	Replace the stock bolt with the bolt that came with your Frame Sliders (Fig. 5). Do not put the left slider on the bolt yet. Now push the bolt in just far enough so that it would touch the inside of your side panel if you put it on.

Next, place some Play Doh on the inside of the left panel--approximately where you think the Framer Slider is going to poke through (Fig. 6).
Place the left panel back on the bike and then remove it. The bolt will make an impression in the Play Doe right where you need to drill (Fig. 7).
Now use your small drill bit and drill a pilot hole right through the center of your bolt impression (Fig. 8). It helps to place a block of wood under the side panel to drill in to.

	Now flip it over, tape it off, and get ready to make your cut using the pilot hole you just drilled (Fig. 9) Using your 2" hole saw, begin drilling through the panel. You must drill the hole from the outside in order to get a smooth entry into the plastic (and not push the decal stickers from the backside)

DO NOT drill the hole at a high rpm! It will create heat and melt the plastic! Nice and steady...firm pressure. Don't forget the wood block under the body panel. Ahh, finally! Hope the whole is in the right spot (Fig. 10).

	Use your Dremel to 'debur' the edge of the hole. Be gentle and take your time. You want the rotation of the sanding barrel to be 'pushing' downward into the hole in relation to the edge you are sanding for the same reason you drilled from the outside (Fig. 11). You can also use a black Sharpie marker to finish the inside edge of the hole. It covers all the little blemishes

n order to get rid of the foam rubber, that's sticking out in the whole, you'll need to pull out little bits of it. Cutting it didn't work well so I just pinched out small pieces with my fingers (Fig. 12).

	Now remove the bolt from Fig. 5, place the longer Frame slider on it, followed by the small spacer that was provided, and then re-install the bolt (Fig. 14). The other side of the bolt should be left sticking out on the right side
	Now repeat the Play Doe and drilling process for the right panel. Then install the right Frame Slider using the factory nut (Fig. 15). Torque the nut to 47 ft. lbs. You'll need to use the (2) 17mm sockets to hold the bolt in place and torque the nut down
Finally, put the panels back on and admire your handywork (Fig. 16)