New bike question...paint protectors?

[DENCOUCH]

Hey guys.

I noticed when applying wax to my new bike, that I discovered some clear plastic stickers on the seat railing.

I am thinking that these were installed to perhaps prevent damage to the paint when installing/removing the hard bags.

Should/could these be removed without issues?

Removing the haze from the wax is a bother from around these stickers... doesn't just wipe right off.

 

[bluesdog]

I left 'em on my bike. Some folks even add more plastic scuff protectors to various areas

eg. tankslapper

A clean, soft toothbrush removes that excess wax residue at the edges, then the polishing cloth removes the haze

 

[SkooterG]

Yes, they are on there for that reason. Yes, you can easily peel them off. No, you can't remove them without ruining them.

I would want them on there personally.

Looks like you discovered a good reason to never wax your bike!

 

[RossKean]

Wax less, ride more.

 

[networkguy]

Yes, they are on there for that reason. Yes, you can easily peel them off. No, you can't remove them without ruining them.

I would want them on there personally.

Looks like you discovered a good reason to never wax your bike!

LOL

 

[Coastie]

Yes, they are on there for that reason. Yes, you can easily peel them off. No, you can't remove them without ruining them.

I would want them on there personally.

Looks like you discovered a good reason to never wax your bike!

LOL

I just bought a preowned 2007 from a 75 year old guy in Arizona. The bike is the Black Cherry, which is a beautiful color when it is allowed to shine. The previous owner not only left the factory clear plastic pieces in place he added, and I mean he ADDED. That damn bike had clear plastic stuck everywhere, i.e. top of tank, sides of tank, back of tank sides of panniers, top of panniers, top of fender, front side of mirrors, and on and on. I got carried away and removed all plastic coatings from the bike, except the small piece on the very rear of the tank that keeps the seat from rubbing the paint.

Do I regret it. Absolutely not. That paint now shines and is even more beautiful. And waxing is a pleasure. I would no sooner cover a bike in plastic than I would cover my sofa with plastic. I will say however that the previous owner took excellent care of this bike and sold me a prestine 2007.

 

[Burnspot]

My bike's not a museum piece, but I do give it attention when needed. It gets a Yammy spray polish wipedown every once in awhile and perhaps 1-2 water baths/year (usually to remove winter salt).

I left that plastic film in place around the bag hanger slots...about the only other place I'd consider putting some new film on is the area forward of the gas tank cap, where my tank bag's safety strap has been hammering the finish for the past couple of years (plastic clip).

 

[Fly Bye]

Hey guys.

I noticed when applying wax to my new bike, that I discovered some clear plastic stickers on the seat railing.

I am thinking that these were installed to perhaps prevent damage to the paint when installing/removing the hard bags.

Should/could these be removed without issues?

Removing the haze from the wax is a bother from around these stickers... doesn't just wipe right off.

You only need to wax black motorcycles. h34r:

 

[RPrice]

I got the plastic paint protectors with my bike, but they weren't installed.?? I wax and "preen" the bike, and maybe I should install them someday. Funny they weren't installed by the dealer.

 

[Wolf_in_Cheapclothing]

My 3M protectors were not installed, so I slapped them on, but I have a piece which I have no idea where it goes. It is about 10" long with two rectangles and a 3/8ths strip connecting the two rectangles. Any Idea where it goes?

On another subject, I have the body plugs for when the tanks are off, but I have two extras which are a little smaller and have a bend to them. Where do they go?

Thanks,

 

[garauld]

FWIW, I never wax my bike. Occasionally, I'll use a #1 or #2 polish to spif it up. It's a daily runner. Tanks? :blink:

 

[mcatrophy]

My 3M protectors were not installed, so I slapped them on, but I have a piece which I have no idea where it goes. It is about 10" long with two rectangles and a 3/8ths strip connecting the two rectangles. Any Idea where it goes?

On another subject, I have the body plugs for when the tanks are off, but I have two extras which are a little smaller and have a bend to them. Where do they go?

Thanks,

You can see in the right-hand picture below where the protractive strip goes (only one end shows).

(Click on image for larger view)

One of the upper ones . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upper and lower ones



The plug covers the lower hole that the moving plunger of the bag goes into.

 

[AGirlOnTheGo]

Left mine and added more...

I purchased the 3M protective plastic... I use a little less PC term for covering the bike- but, I digress.

I covered the tank and the side bags and I am glad I did, all kinds of mishaps have occurred and no issues, works like a charm. They have kept the bike looking great and scratch free! I clean the bike often and use Plexus..leaves no film around the plastic.

AGirlOnTheGo

 

[Wolf_in_Cheapclothing]

You can see in the right-hand picture below where the protractive strip goes (only one end shows).

One of the upper ones . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upper and lower ones

The plug covers the lower hole that the moving plunger of the bag goes into.

Thanks,

Looks like they screwed me out of one. Not a worry as the bag will probably only come off on very rare occasions.

 

[Smooth14u2]

My 3M protectors were not installed, so I slapped them on, but I have a piece which I have no idea where it goes. It is about 10" long with two rectangles and a 3/8ths strip connecting the two rectangles. Any Idea where it goes?

On another subject, I have the body plugs for when the tanks are off, but I have two extras which are a little smaller and have a bend to them. Where do they go?

Thanks,

You can see in the right-hand picture below where the protractive strip goes (only one end shows).

(Click on image for larger view)

One of the upper ones . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upper and lower ones



The plug covers the lower hole that the moving plunger of the bag goes into.

Thanks for the pic - that really helped me out :yahoo:

 

[scubatech]

I found it very hard to not ruin the paint on the rear & sides of the tank without some kind of protection. Admittedly I am an anal type about the appearance of my bike & vehicles. They cost so much might as well take good care of them!!

 

[Lowcountry Joe]

I tried a lot of the "helicopter tape" and found it to be more trouble than it's worth. Sure, it's a protectant of sorts, but it's butt ugly and as the OP stated, a PITA when cleaning. The piece on the rail under the saddle bag is a good idea and that stays, but pretty much got rid of the rest.