Looks like I'll be doing some body work on my vacation

Skin Mechanic · 07-12-2017, 07:39 PM

Because a plastic panel with a hole in it is more prone to developing stress cracks if the opening isn't reinforced.

prismways · 07-13-2017, 06:15 PM

Yeah, I would say the plastic on these bikes are lower grade.

I got some gas on my lower fairing and it fell apart.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skin Mechanic

Because a plastic panel with a hole in it is more prone to developing stress cracks if the opening isn't reinforced.

MOTOXtreme · 07-13-2017, 07:41 PM

Man, that stinks folks. Ive seen a few vids where people removed the tank plastic altogether but I'd want it on there. I'm honestly thinking I'll stalk craigslist until a cheap enough grom comes alone. Only like 2 more months riding time for me anyway ( I aint freezing my ass off ) lol

Skin Mechanic · 07-24-2017, 10:49 AM

It's the 2nd day of vacation and I've decided to work on the tank surround while I wait for USPS to deliver a replacement fuel pump for the aprilia. I thought about using fiberglass resin and mesh, or bondo for the repair, which would cost around $15. A waste of money for a tiny repair, IMHO, so I went with some epoxy stick that I already had in my tool box. The cover is attached to the tank with 6 screws and can be removed in under 2 minutes.

I removed the mesh trim insert and wiped the area down with lacquer thinner. The plastic had a rough texture so sanding wasn't necessary. The epoxy hardens in 5 minutes and is completely cured in a few hours.

The edge of the opening chipped at one of the breaks and I was able to fill it in and smooth it out before the epoxy set up.

After reassembling the tank cover I went over the cracks with a white out pen. The repair will pass casual inspection, eventually I'll plasti-dip the tank when the crappy paint job wears out.

BlackBike · 07-24-2017, 06:58 PM

Looks good. No one knows it's there but you. Ahh, good ol quality China bike plastics.

Skin Mechanic · 07-25-2017, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBike

Looks good. No one knows it's there but you. Ahh, good ol quality China bike plastics.

Thanks for the compliment, the quality of the repair is in keeping with the quality of the bike

Anywho, while the bike was down for cosmetic repairs I decided to plasti-dip the side covers black, with red mesh inserts to match the ones on the tank cover.

And I scrounged up some carbon fiber vinyl from another project and wrapped the gas cap trim panel. I thought about wrapping the pillion cover, but that might be a little excessive.

prismways · 08-16-2017, 12:34 AM

Looks really good. Definitely stands out!

07-12-2017, 07:39 PM	#1
Skin Mechanic Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Montevallo, AL Posts: 103	Looks like I'll be doing some body work on my vacation Because a plastic panel with a hole in it is more prone to developing stress cracks if the opening isn't reinforced. __________________ 2017 Ice Bear Little Monster, work in progress 2007 Aprilia RSV1000R, unreliable piece of sh*t 2007 Moto Guzzi Breva V1100, epitome of reliability 2000 Moto Guzzi California V11, resting in pieces The cage: 1998 BMW Z3, 1.9L w/full Dinan engine upgrades
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07-13-2017, 07:41 PM	#3
MOTOXtreme Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Waynesboro, Virginia Posts: 336	Man, that stinks folks. Ive seen a few vids where people removed the tank plastic altogether but I'd want it on there. I'm honestly thinking I'll stalk craigslist until a cheap enough grom comes alone. Only like 2 more months riding time for me anyway ( I aint freezing my ass off ) lol __________________ Brian Previously owned / operated MOTO Xtreme selling American Lifan / Check out my friends at www.armattanquads.com "Imagination is more important that knowledge" Albert Einstein
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07-24-2017, 10:49 AM	#4
Skin Mechanic Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Montevallo, AL Posts: 103	It's the 2nd day of vacation and I've decided to work on the tank surround while I wait for USPS to deliver a replacement fuel pump for the aprilia. I thought about using fiberglass resin and mesh, or bondo for the repair, which would cost around $15. A waste of money for a tiny repair, IMHO, so I went with some epoxy stick that I already had in my tool box. The cover is attached to the tank with 6 screws and can be removed in under 2 minutes. I removed the mesh trim insert and wiped the area down with lacquer thinner. The plastic had a rough texture so sanding wasn't necessary. The epoxy hardens in 5 minutes and is completely cured in a few hours. The edge of the opening chipped at one of the breaks and I was able to fill it in and smooth it out before the epoxy set up. After reassembling the tank cover I went over the cracks with a white out pen. The repair will pass casual inspection, eventually I'll plasti-dip the tank when the crappy paint job wears out. __________________ 2017 Ice Bear Little Monster, work in progress 2007 Aprilia RSV1000R, unreliable piece of sh*t 2007 Moto Guzzi Breva V1100, epitome of reliability 2000 Moto Guzzi California V11, resting in pieces The cage: 1998 BMW Z3, 1.9L w/full Dinan engine upgrades
	1

07-24-2017, 06:58 PM	#5
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	Looks good. No one knows it's there but you. Ahh, good ol quality China bike plastics. __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	1

08-16-2017, 12:34 AM	#7
prismways Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Boston area Posts: 171	Looks really good. Definitely stands out!
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