Hinged rear 'ductail' ?

[Raux]

I think a sliding guard would be cooler.

[mickb]

...and should I 'motorise' it too, or design a hydraulic mechanism which triggers automatically when it rains 

[ducpainter]

This site is always good for a giggle 

I need a small (sprung) hinge which would ideally either hold the ductail in a down position, (hinge would therefore be open), but would also be sprung when closed (to hold it behind the licence plate.
Anyone know what type of hinge would do this?

I've never seen a hinge that would do that.

How about a latch for the up position?

[freeclimbmtb]

I think a sliding guard would be cooler.

BMW R1150R Rockster has a sliding guard... 


cant really see it, but theres a flat plastic slide up under that ugly tail that extends down about 4 inches...

[mickb]

Thanks DP. If I use a latch for the UP position, what type of hinge would I need so that it would be under tension when its open, I assume the opposite of a standard sprung hinge which uses the tension to close?

[ducpainter]

Not sure...

This site may be helpful... http://www.mckinneyhinge.com/catalog/kb.cfm?kb_id=162

[Raux]

...and should I 'motorise' it too, or design a hydraulic mechanism which triggers automatically when it rains 

actually a spring attached to it that keeps it up, then a clip that holds it in the down position.

[teddy037.3]

I approve of the idea to use a linear actuator to deploy said ductail  

latches? we don need no stinkin latches!

[seevtsaab]

This is a little more KLR than BMW. I've shortened it a bit since this photo. It can be flipped around up under the tail, or easily removed, it's fastened by two large plastic nuts / bolts. Nowadays the beemer often gets the call when it's raining.



the ductail tour looks promising, I'd be skeptical the sport version would help much.

[mickb]

Thanks seevtsaab, yes, I did think the tour version would be more effective, but put the wrong link in my post