SIDE COVERS - Metal or Plastic?

[jamatta]

I was trying to clean up the faded and worn looking side covers and did a light sanding. You would think that the covers were just plastic, but it sanded down to what bare metal would look like. I actually don't mind the way they look now, but if it's not plastic, I don't want to leave them unprotected.

Does anyone know if they are plastic or not? Also if I did still have to paint them, has anyone had decent luck with the Chrome spray paints? I know it won't beat the real thing, but for the side covers I was considering trying it.

[Crazcnuk]

The side covers are definately plastic (abs i think)... and there would be no way to confuse them with metal.

Are you sure your talking about the 'side covers' ie the two plastic covers just below the seat?

Any other covers are aluminum, and obviously so...

[kjohnson]

i believe the xj side covers are aluminum on the outside with a plastic insert where it should have the Maxim badge.

[Crazcnuk]

Kewl, learn something new everday!

I had an '82 XJ650 Midnight Maxim, it's covers were the usual plastic, thought they would all be the same.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Jamatta,

The XJ side covers on BNE's MadMaxim were also metal, but it's aluminum. I put them on my bench buffer, and they shined up really nicely. SO....you may have roughed them up a bit with the sandpaper depending on the grit, but if you have any buffing equipment, you could try it on them. You can get an almost chrome polished surface with the right buffing technique, and you won't need to paint them!?
T.C.

[jamatta]

The little plastic insert on the side cover is held on with three metal "things". What are they called and is there a trick to getting them off without breaking the plastic?

here is a picture of one that was already loose enough to get off....the rest are too snug.

[jamatta]

So I couldn't get those "things"off. During the sanding of the outer aluminum I accidently scuffed the inner black plastic. So, I taped off and resprayed with some black paint, both covers. Just as I was admiring my work a snowball from my 5 year old lands right smack on top of the new paint. What a mess. I had to start over and ended up removing all the original paint to start fresh. Second spray...well apparently I didnt remove the paint thinner well enough so it was like water running from oil (probably pretty close to what actually happened) Round three...p!ssed off royally by now. Out to the hardware store for more supplied to ensure the thinner was removed. Sprayed again and at this point just glad it it sticking. Not smooth by any means, a shame as the cleaned up aluminum surrounds I am quite pleased with. I just need to get some metal poish or something to work out the fine lines that are quite pronounced in the picture, but not so much in person. I also sprayed the Maxim emblem as it was just yellow plastic with no original gold shine.



Perhaps someday when I figure out how to safely remove those - what the heck those anyway?) things that hold the plastic insert...I'll be able to prep it for a better finish. Oh well lesson learned the hard way..the story of my life with this bike!

Good night all

[crazy steve]

The little plastic insert on the side cover is held on with three metal "things". What are they called and is there a trick to getting them off without breaking the plastic?

here is a picture of one that was already loose enough to get off....the rest are too snug.

Those are called 'pal nuts' and they're usually a one-time deal. To get them off, you generally need to break them. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers and try to lift one edge, then break little bits off until the rest comes off.

You should be able to get replacements at a well-stocked hardware store or bolt place.

'78E original owner

[Ken Talbot]

A gentle touch with a fine burr in a dremel tool will get those little buggers off. Cut a wee slot across one side, pry off with a jewellers screwdriver, and replace them with new ones.