crack in a fairing

[mplsreds]

Fix for fairing cracks

I have been making repairs in my Vetter faings over the last couple years. The fix is fairly cheap and easy and the key is Asetone.

If the problem is simply that the fairing is cracked. Use a small paint brush, the type you woulld use to paint models. Gently pull the crack open and paint the edges or the crack with the asitone and quickly push the pieces back into the proper position. The asitone will melt the fairing and it will have fixed the problem.

If the problem is a hole or you have trouble getting to the crack then the alternative is a patch. For this you needs a piece of the fairing material. I went out to the local cycle junk yard and they gave me a broken up fairing for free. Get a glass jar and add the asetone and a chunk or the fairing and stir till the fairing melts. The liquid in the jar can then be used as a filler. Do not do a thick repair in one pass. This type of filler will shrink and sometimes pick up air bubbles. Once you have completed the fill paint and you will never know there was a problem.

I have used both methods and my fairing is as solid as the day it was made. I have fixed cracks and fill holes mad by the previous owner of the fairing.

Good luck

[planedick]

Ok

Pics here...


This shows the right mount area with the aluminum strip and extra bolt. I used carriage bolts because I didn't want to have to hold 'em when tightening.



This one is the left side and you can see the areas of double thick peices behind the plug area and near the front. Additionally the inside is reenforced with fibreglass matt and strands with liberal mounts of ABS cement, allowed to dry and another coat of the same the next day. No more loose fairing.

[MaximPhil]

Thanks Planedick,
That looks like the strip I was thinking of using. I like the idea of an extra bolt too.
Phil

[CatatonicBug]

I had a small crack in my fairing, about 4" straight down from the inside edge of the right pocket. I went looking for a repair method, and located an epoxy putty from JB Weld called Quick Plastic. You slice off the amount you need and knead it together to activate the epoxy. I sanded the inside of the fairing around the crack with 60 grit paper, then added a couple strips of fiberglass drywall tape. Then, after kneading the epoxy stuff together, I smeared it into the drywall tape and worked it into the crack. I used a clamp to hold the crack together, and 2 hours later, it was fully hardened. It did leave a white line in the crack, but I figure I can color that later if I really want to. I re-mounted the fairing on my newly-powder coated fairing frame, and rode it for about 60 miles today. Speeds reached over 80mph for a while, and everything is holding well.

[mplsreds]

Crack in fairing

I have repaired several cracks in Vetter fairings using acetone. The acetone actually melt the fairing material. For small repairs I took a small paint brush, like you would get from the hobby store, pry the two pieces apart then paint both sides of the crack. Push the parts together and let dry.

If you can get a hold of an piece of an old fairing mix the acetone and a section of the old fairing till you get a paste. Use a thin saw blade to cut right down the crack and fill in with the paste.

I have done it both ways and it works fine. AI have also used a strip of fairing, the paste or JB Weld to backup the crack for safety. Two years ago I went on a 3500 mile trip and the bike hit the ground 4 times but the fairing did not fail.

I hope this helps