How to fix the latch on your left side cover.

[draketrumpet]

Ever have this happen to your left side cover?


I got mine like that. So, I'd heard from some people that you could reconstruct one using super glue and baking soda. So I gave it a go.


Used some card stock to form a bit of a mold and get the general shape.


Then the process goes like this:

1. Few drops of super glue
2. sprinkle baking soda over the area
3. blow off the baking soda
4. repeat until large enough

then you get this:




Then you get your metal file and go to work making the shape you need. I used my leatherman, and you might even be able to use finger nail clippers...but that could take a while.

That was too big.

This went in, but it didn't come out. Instead it broke off...

This next time I used sticky tack to form my mold, and I decided to make the latch all the way down like the original. That went well, and I filed it down even farther than the last one.

I still had to file it underneath the hook just a little bit to let the latch engage, then PRESTO! Works like new! Even if it doesn't look it.

Special thanks to CatatonicBug who gave me the initial baking soda super glue tip.

[trbig]

Hmmm...

Think some of the rednecks around here could make themselves some front teeth like that?

I hope it holds up for you. Good job.


Tod

[WMarshy]

Got a solution for getting the broken piece out of the latch for when it breaks off?

[draketrumpet]

Blow vigorously while holding the key so the latch is in the open position. Helps if you have previously played a wind instrument

[TDodge7]

I've always used plastex http://www.plastex.net/ for plastic repairs , it comes with reusable molding bars , it's a plastic powder and a liquid , mix them and in an hour it's abs plastic . I rebuilt most of a fzr600's fairings with this stuff and it's hands down the best . They also sell it in a different compound for dirtbike and atv plastics .

[jwhughes3]

I might enlist the wife's help...

Blow vigorously while holding the key so the latch is in the open position. Helps if you have previously played a wind instrument

I'm sure she'd do a better job! (shhh if y'all tell on me and get me in trouble I won't be able to ride )


John in San Antonio

[Rasputin]

Got a solution for getting the broken piece out of the latch for when it breaks off?

Take the lock off, then remove the three small screws from the back of the lock. Inside is a small metal retainer, a spring and the lock mechanism and your broken piece. Pull the broken piece out and re-assemble. This is a very easy fix and takes only a couple of minutes. The hardest part is getting at the two screws that hold the lock onto the bike .

[Rasputin]

The baking soda and super glue trick have worked well for me. I did not try to form it though. I simply built up a blob and then sanded and filed until I had the shape for the latch. It is surprising how tough the stuff is. I also used it to fill holes in my side covers. I now have an extra set of 78E side covers because I was able to salvage them. I used this mixture on a cover for my 79SF to fill a hole where I previously had mounted a cigarette lighter. The hole was an inch in diameter before I filled it. I don't know where Cbug came up with this idea but it sure is amazing stuff. This is what the 79 side cover looks like now.

[CatatonicBug]

I tried making a mold, but it didn't work for me. I just made a big blob, one drop of glue at a time, and used a grinder to grind it down to the proper shape. I let it set overnight before trusting the strength though.

Now you won't have to worry about your side cover blowing off on the freeway, in the rain!

[draketrumpet]

Now you won't have to worry about your side cover blowing off on the freeway, in the rain!

Not to mention dropping my bike on its side because I haven't regained my balance from my first extended leg of 70+ mph good times.

[draketrumpet]

I tried making a mold, but it didn't work for me. I just made a big blob, one drop of glue at a time, and used a grinder to grind it down to the proper shape. I let it set overnight before trusting the strength though.

What the mold really did for me was give me edges to sand. Since I was doing it all by hand (it was seriously the file on my leatherman) I needed a generally shaped blob to go off of. From what I researched online, as soon as the baking soda and super glue bond, it's just about as hard as it will ever get. I noticed no adverse effects by filing right away. I think the big reason my first attempt popped off is because I stopped blowing the extra baking soda off, and just poured glue on top of it. I don't think it had the strength it needed b/c of that.

[b.walker5]

I've always used plastex http://www.plastex.net/ for plastic repairs , it comes with reusable molding bars , it's a plastic powder and a liquid , mix them and in an hour it's abs plastic . I rebuilt most of a fzr600's fairings with this stuff and it's hands down the best . They also sell it in a different compound for dirtbike and atv plastics .

Have used that stuff to repair cracked refrigerator liners. Good stuff.

[Ken Talbot]

What the mold really did for me was give me edges to sand. Since I was doing it all by hand (it was seriously the file on my leatherman) I needed a generally shaped blob to go off of.

For future reference, this thread gives some dimensions for shapaing a locking post. (The images were broken, but have been repaired.)

[DenyP]

For future reference, this thread gives some dimensions for shapaing a locking post. (The images were broken, but have been repaired.)

This is such a common problem - folks break them all the time before they know how fragile they are. Should add this to the repair section.

Deny

[CatatonicBug]

Here's an actual drawing with the dimensions.