faring

[bbdig]

Well I am not a happy camper. Took a stupid pill this afternoon. just completed putting everything back together after lubing all the pivot points, including the swing arm, installing a new olins shock, my buddy says get on it and take it off the center stand.Pull forward and clunk/crack, smash. :angry2: The hard rubber wheel chock(which we forgot to remove) broke the underneath plastic. I have the two pieces and nothing on the right broke, the connecter tab is still there. Looks is not a concern, what would be the best way to repair it?

I assume it has to be connected at the bottom or it will start to fly at speed.

Thanks, Jack

 

[Ignacio]

I can't visualize exactly what broke, but if it's typical tupperware pieces....one can often JB Weld things back in place. Result can vary from ugly to pretty dang good given time, effort, and judicious placement of wax paper pieces.

 

[wfooshee]

I'm thinking you broke the lower fairing right at the bottom, under the radiator. It is important that those are well fastened and stay connected, as you've surmised, as all the other fasteners are up high or well back.

The good news is that there are several fastening points at the bottom. There's one right at the bottom front, underneath, and then the blank piece under the radiator fastens two places on each side, one side from the iside and one side from the outside. If all you broke was the very bottom it's not that bi a disaster, but if the fairing is free to flap arround, then yeah, it needs to be fixed.

JB Weld, as mentioned, is a good thing to use. Use it to glue a piece of plastic behind the broken ones, overlapping each one so it reinforces.

But if you broke the fastenings for the blank piece under the radiator, just gluing those bolt tabs back on may not hold very well.

 

[worldbound4now]

Hit up Hobby Lobby or your favorite craft store and get a small sheet of fiberglass and some epoxy/hardener. I guess the same effect could be had with JB Weld. If this is right at the bottom margins of the fairing, I'd also look into the heat tolerance of your epoxy method.

 

[PhilJet09]

I used this stuff on a piece of my bike and it seems to be holding up well. https://www.permatex.com/products/motorcycle/motorcycle_adhesives_sealants/motorcycle_epoxies/motorcycle_Permatex_PermaPoxy_5_Minute_Plastic_Weld.htm It smells absolutely awful until it cures.

 

[bbdig]

Looking at all the possible fixes does anyone know exactly what the material is that the fairings are made of?

I would just say plastic, but is there a more exact terminology?

One of my brother-inlaws makes plastic tanks for fire engines and welds them together somehow. If I ask him if he could weld it I am sure he will have far more questions then I will be able to answer.

 

[yamafitter]

You are correct in thinking there are a number of different plastics and I'm not sure which plastic is used in the fairings. I would take the fairing to a local body shop since most are able to weld the type of plastic that makes up the fairing. A little sanding and some paint and no one will be the wiser.

 

[PhilJet09]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene

I just went out and pulled off the adjustable fairing vent and it has "ABS" right on it. Probably the same as the piece you broke, but you might be able to look around on that piece to be sure.

 

[Bustanut joker]

The upper and lower fairings I fear are not the same plastic nor are the vents you mention Phil.. I have my bike in pieces out here and the lowers don't say ABS nor are they as stiff as the uppers that say ABS. I'm thinking more of a urethane type.... Something on the lines of a fascia or bumper on today's cars..

 

[bbdig]

I can't visualize exactly what broke, but if it's typical tupperware pieces....one can often JB Weld things back in place. Result can vary from ugly to pretty dang good given time, effort, and judicious placement of wax paper pieces.

Enlighten me , what do you do with the wax paper?

 

[PhilJet09]

The upper and lower fairings I fear are not the same plastic nor are the vents you mention Phil.. I have my bike in pieces out here and the lowers don't say ABS nor are they as stiff as the uppers that say ABS. I'm thinking more of a urethane type.... Something on the lines of a fascia or bumper on today's cars..

Figures.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

I have used the jb weld or the permatex in the seams. Then once set, use a small metal rod or flat metal to stitch across the seam; then use the epoxy hardener to secure it in place. This will keep it sturdy.

I have broken the tabs, and that's the way I built it back up. That plastic (or whatever) material is a mold, and once broken, you have to build it up with the epoxy hardener to secure it. I use the kind that comes in a stick. break off a piece and mold. Since all the work is inside; not much care goes to the frankenstein look.

Pics would help.

 

[TomInPA]

Those small tabs weld right back on with ABS cement, which makes a strong and nearly invisible repair. I'm not sure what piece is broken in this case.

 

[bluesdog]

Ouch!

The local sled guys and kayakers use this stuff:



Add a piece of fibreglas cloth as extra reinforcement

I'm using this for various tupperware repairs on my XS-11 project bike

For hairline cracks in ABS, methylene chloride dispensed via a needle applicator works very well, but I use the devcon high strength plastic welder for major repairs to most any kind of plastic.

Good luck

 

[SSLT1KID]

Also make sure to take a tiny drill bit and drill a hole at the end of any cracks in the plastic. This will keep the cracks from continuing to spread.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Jack is like 25 thousand years old.. We should all remember this before we post "modern" ideas.. Poor guy was wrapping the wimpy tyrannosaurus rex after they mixed it up with Stegosaurus a few years back.... Poor old fuker.