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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: frankenduck on June 16, 2012, 07:43:21 PM

Title: Repairing cracked body parts
Post by: frankenduck on June 16, 2012, 07:43:21 PM
I forget what the name of it is but many of the body parts on K bikes are made of a white fiberglass-ish stuff that cracks when damaged.  What I've found works well for repairing cracked body parts is to use a fiberglass repair kit (can be found at auto parts stores) to fix the cracked area from behind.  The kits come with instructions and doing this sort of repair as a DIY job is pretty easy. Then fill and sand the outside of the crack.

Here's an example of a badly cracked K75 belly pan that I fixed.  I used three layers of fiberglass to make it a beefy repair. 

Before applying the fiberglass I scored up the area where the fiberglass was going to be applied with a Dremel cutting wheel and then cleaned it of with rubbing alcohol to maximize adhesion.

Since I knew I was going to have it coated in Line-X truck bed liner which would hide any minor inconsistencies I just did a quick and dirty fill and sand on the outside.

(http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk91/electro_handyman/Bike%20Tech/k75f_belly_fiberglass.jpg)


This RS had a broken windscreen upright and was my first fiberglass repair.  I let the painter I hired do the fill and sand on that crack repair because they have the right filler and sanding stuff to do a professional repair job on the outside.  After it's been painted there's no evidence that it's been repaired.

(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd470/Motobrick/bodywork/kato_k100rs4v.jpg)

Anyhow, this is a good and easy way to save some $$$ when fixing up a K or other bike.

Tip: When mixing the fiberglass resin and hardener do not do it in a plastic or styrofoam cup.  The mixing is an exothermic chemical reaction (generates heat) that welt melt syrogfoam or plastic.  I usually use something like a glass salsa jar and throw it away after the job is done.
Title: Re: Repairing cracked body parts
Post by: sh00ter on June 16, 2013, 09:52:10 PM
Duck - do you have the photos? Can you re-up them for this post?
Title: Re: Repairing cracked body parts
Post by: branandfox on June 19, 2013, 03:15:39 PM
So what exactly is the material in our fairings? I have found many a repair kit. including my favorite so far plastifix. stuff works REALLY well if you take the time to doe the job right.

http://www.amazon.com/Urethane-Supply-PlastiFix-Kit-White/dp/B0002JKEA0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1371668967&sr=8-10&keywords=plastex (http://www.amazon.com/Urethane-Supply-PlastiFix-Kit-White/dp/B0002JKEA0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1371668967&sr=8-10&keywords=plastex)

Title: Repairing cracked body parts
Post by: sh00ter on June 20, 2013, 11:59:43 AM
You've used this? It's paintable etc?
Title: Re: Repairing cracked body parts
Post by: branandfox on June 20, 2013, 02:24:05 PM
theres a youtube video of how to use it specifically for fairings. I am going to try it on mine I think and see how it holds up. it is paintable and sandable.