Vented number plates - Hidden Purpose?

Turbojez
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Turbojez
Seeing some of the old moto pics, I noticed that vented numberplates were pretty popular, and there are actually people still using those. Made me wonder, what purpose did/do the vents serve? Was it to cool down oil in the forks? If so, what made them pretty much fade as a thing of the past? Can't see another reason for them.

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mxbrian15
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mxbrian15 3/16/2018 7:05am
3/16/2018 7:05am
More airflow to radiators and motor, at least that was the theory.
Beeby
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Beeby 3/16/2018 7:15am
3/16/2018 7:15am
Because the Rinaldi Yamaha's had them in the late 90's and they looked cool!

They were a pain though, your numbers got torn to bits with the pressure washer spraying through those holes :-)
smashingpumpkins167 3/16/2018 7:28am
3/16/2018 7:28am Edited Date/Time 3/16/2018 7:28am
I just made one for my Yz250f. It seems like it would serve a better purpose on this bike because the intake is right behind the number plate.

1
byronf29
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byronf29 3/16/2018 7:30am
3/16/2018 7:30am
The vented plates on outdoor factory Suzuki’s were the trickest. They put a background on a stock plate then cut out the bottom part of the plate around the number and riveted in some screen behind it. Look up Ricky’s 07 outdoor bike to see what I’m talking about. It wouldn’t be too hard to duplicate.

The Shop

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Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 3/16/2018 8:49am
3/16/2018 8:49am
Copter that thing is sick. Makes me wanna try it with my KX front plate.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/16/2018 9:37am
3/16/2018 9:37am
I would imagine that the Yamaha would benefit a vented plate?

TM comes with a "vented" plate.
FCMX
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FCMX 3/16/2018 10:28am
3/16/2018 10:28am
Love mine. So retro.

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calvinm48
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calvinm48 3/16/2018 10:29am
3/16/2018 10:29am
FCMX wrote:
Love mine. So retro.[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/03/16/249702/s1200_2E8530B4_93AC_4AF3_9829_EB5256B9D0CD.jpg[/img]
Love mine. So retro.

So mint
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 3/16/2018 10:31am
3/16/2018 10:31am
Motofinne wrote:
I would imagine that the Yamaha would benefit a vented plate?

TM comes with a "vented" plate.




luckynino
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luckynino 3/16/2018 11:23am
3/16/2018 11:23am Edited Date/Time 3/16/2018 1:32pm
I just made yet another vented numberplate on my '89 Vintage racebike. Mine's not only for added cooling but actually also providing added airflow into the airbox as my '89 CR 125 has a italian VRP aluminium gas tank with two air tunnels that guide air directly into the airbox.

Kind of a "RAM-Air" intake found on Superbikes Wink

Cutting the hole:


Fitting the aluminium mesh:


Cutting the numbers out of plastic sheet:


Ready to go:


Right behind the numberplate the air gets funneled down into the airbox:



...through channels that go through the gas tank...:



....from the front back down into the airbox:





AND speaking of TM:
The 2018 Factory TM shares the same basic idea: funneling air from behind the numberplate directly into the airbox!
I showed pictures of my '89 VRP Bike to the Factory TM mechanics they were a little surprised to see basically the exact same thing already done like 30 years ago ;O

2018 Factory TM 250 of Samuele Bernardini








Nino's 1989 (!) , aluminium framed VRP Mugen Honda CR 125...already with similar airchannels Wink



2
.kyle
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.kyle 3/16/2018 11:50am
3/16/2018 11:50am
Nino coming up with the goods again! Nice job, thank you!!
JRT812
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JRT812 3/16/2018 2:21pm
3/16/2018 2:21pm
luckynino wrote:
I just made yet another vented numberplate on my '89 Vintage racebike. Mine's not only for added cooling but actually also providing added airflow into the...
I just made yet another vented numberplate on my '89 Vintage racebike. Mine's not only for added cooling but actually also providing added airflow into the airbox as my '89 CR 125 has a italian VRP aluminium gas tank with two air tunnels that guide air directly into the airbox.

Kind of a "RAM-Air" intake found on Superbikes Wink

Cutting the hole:


Fitting the aluminium mesh:


Cutting the numbers out of plastic sheet:


Ready to go:


Right behind the numberplate the air gets funneled down into the airbox:



...through channels that go through the gas tank...:



....from the front back down into the airbox:





AND speaking of TM:
The 2018 Factory TM shares the same basic idea: funneling air from behind the numberplate directly into the airbox!
I showed pictures of my '89 VRP Bike to the Factory TM mechanics they were a little surprised to see basically the exact same thing already done like 30 years ago ;O

2018 Factory TM 250 of Samuele Bernardini








Nino's 1989 (!) , aluminium framed VRP Mugen Honda CR 125...already with similar airchannels Wink



Holy smokes.... that is amazing!!!
731chopper
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731chopper 3/16/2018 2:56pm
3/16/2018 2:56pm
I always wondered how much the vented plates actually helped airflow to the radiators. Regardless of their performance, they looked bitchin!



OldHalfway
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OldHalfway 3/16/2018 3:27pm
3/16/2018 3:27pm
Always loved the vented plates. Everyone's looks sick on here too, nice work
make1go
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make1go 3/16/2018 3:39pm
3/16/2018 3:39pm
Was it ktm that had an open upper frame tube to funnel air to the air box?

Im think with the air intake systems it might be the cooler air combined with 'ram" affect that makes it worth while??

Old kdx enduro bike headlight surround.

boston_jorj
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boston_jorj 3/16/2018 3:44pm
3/16/2018 3:44pm
All of the posted flo plates look sick! I always liked the vented front fender too!

Pit Row

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Donk122
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Donk122 3/16/2018 5:48pm
3/16/2018 5:48pm
We ran a vented front plate on Goerke's '17 YZ450 in canada last summer... Our bikes ran unreal hot and I was doing anything and everything I could think of to help lower temps...
MotoX Luca 3/16/2018 5:59pm
3/16/2018 5:59pm
luckynino wrote:
I just made yet another vented numberplate on my '89 Vintage racebike. Mine's not only for added cooling but actually also providing added airflow into the...
I just made yet another vented numberplate on my '89 Vintage racebike. Mine's not only for added cooling but actually also providing added airflow into the airbox as my '89 CR 125 has a italian VRP aluminium gas tank with two air tunnels that guide air directly into the airbox.

Kind of a "RAM-Air" intake found on Superbikes Wink

Cutting the hole:


Fitting the aluminium mesh:


Cutting the numbers out of plastic sheet:


Ready to go:


Right behind the numberplate the air gets funneled down into the airbox:



...through channels that go through the gas tank...:



....from the front back down into the airbox:





AND speaking of TM:
The 2018 Factory TM shares the same basic idea: funneling air from behind the numberplate directly into the airbox!
I showed pictures of my '89 VRP Bike to the Factory TM mechanics they were a little surprised to see basically the exact same thing already done like 30 years ago ;O

2018 Factory TM 250 of Samuele Bernardini








Nino's 1989 (!) , aluminium framed VRP Mugen Honda CR 125...already with similar airchannels Wink



That's a amazing idea I wouldnt be surprised if top manufactures start doing that.
YZ302
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YZ302 3/16/2018 7:05pm
3/16/2018 7:05pm
I made this number plate for my YZ125. It gets the job done.

r.sal923
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r.sal923 3/16/2018 7:18pm
3/16/2018 7:18pm
Donk122 wrote:
We ran a vented front plate on Goerke's '17 YZ450 in canada last summer... Our bikes ran unreal hot and I was doing anything and everything...
We ran a vented front plate on Goerke's '17 YZ450 in canada last summer... Our bikes ran unreal hot and I was doing anything and everything I could think of to help lower temps...
Remember Simon homans Yamaha vented fenders? I remember the year he was #4. He had these trick looking side scoops on his front fender.
rjg
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rjg 3/16/2018 7:28pm
3/16/2018 7:28pm
go full vented number plate if you have to or none at all for ball sack ventilation
Asimo
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Asimo 3/16/2018 9:38pm
3/16/2018 9:38pm
The weirdest and/or ugliest thing Honda ever did was make a plate that only the people in the nose bleeds could read.

They just tilted the plate up. That was the year I think Preston Petty made those large plastic plates that had holes pre-drilled.

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