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I had a previous post about the need for skid plate following an accident when a small piece of metal in the road hit my crank case and caused $2,155 in damage. The problem with the 390 Duke is that the vertical seam is in line with the front tire and the plastic protection has a large opening right where something kicked up by the tire can hit the crank case at the vertical seam causing engine oil to leak out quickly. See picture below of the damage.
The parts department at my dealer tried to locate a skid plate for my 2019 390 Duke but couldn't find one. I ordered one from Amazon that cost about $140 but didn't come close to fitting. I decided that what really needs protection is that vulnerable area in the center where there is no protect from the plastic. Using the ill fitting skid plate I bought from Amazon I cut a section 4 inches wide by 8 inches long and bent it to shape based on a card board mock up. The existing plastic is held in place by several bolts and I used four of them to attach my home made partial skid plate. See picture below:
This is not complete protection, rather it adds to the existing engine protection in the most vulnerable area. I think that if that metal piece had hit my crank case off to the side it might have dented it but not cause the oil to leak out. That center seam is what needs protection. Anyone can make this with a piece of aluminum about 1/4 inch thick cut to 4"x8" and bent on a vise and drilled to match the existing bolts.
The parts department at my dealer tried to locate a skid plate for my 2019 390 Duke but couldn't find one. I ordered one from Amazon that cost about $140 but didn't come close to fitting. I decided that what really needs protection is that vulnerable area in the center where there is no protect from the plastic. Using the ill fitting skid plate I bought from Amazon I cut a section 4 inches wide by 8 inches long and bent it to shape based on a card board mock up. The existing plastic is held in place by several bolts and I used four of them to attach my home made partial skid plate. See picture below:
This is not complete protection, rather it adds to the existing engine protection in the most vulnerable area. I think that if that metal piece had hit my crank case off to the side it might have dented it but not cause the oil to leak out. That center seam is what needs protection. Anyone can make this with a piece of aluminum about 1/4 inch thick cut to 4"x8" and bent on a vise and drilled to match the existing bolts.